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Say Tell Speak Talk

This document discusses the differences between the verbs "say", "tell", "speak", and "talk". It provides examples of how each verb is used, specifically: - Say is usually used without a personal object, while tell requires a personal object (e.g. "she told me"). - Tell is used to instruct or inform someone to do something. It is not used before nouns like words or phrases. - There is little difference between speak and talk, but talk refers more to informal communication while speak can refer to knowledge of languages or more formal exchanges.

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141 views

Say Tell Speak Talk

This document discusses the differences between the verbs "say", "tell", "speak", and "talk". It provides examples of how each verb is used, specifically: - Say is usually used without a personal object, while tell requires a personal object (e.g. "she told me"). - Tell is used to instruct or inform someone to do something. It is not used before nouns like words or phrases. - There is little difference between speak and talk, but talk refers more to informal communication while speak can refer to knowledge of languages or more formal exchanges.

Uploaded by

galwaymp
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Say/Tell/Speak/Talk

Uses
used with direct and indirect speech Say is most often used without a personal object.

Examples
She said that it was my last chance. He said, Good morning. She said that she would be late. (not She said me...) And I say to all the people of this great country...

Say
If we want to put a personal object after say, we use to.

used with direct and indirect speech

She told me that she would be late. She told me that it was my last chance. (not He told them, Good morning.) Toms mother told him to clean his room. Alice said a naughty word... (not Alice told a naughty word...) Ill tell you tomorrow. (not Ill tell you it tomorrow.) I dont want to tell you again to get your homework done.

Tell
after tell, we usually say who is told, i.e., tell someone something only used to mean instruct or inform Tell is used to tell someone to do something Tell is not used before objects like a word, a name, a sentence, a phrase. We do not usually use it after tell to refer to a fact. tell someone again (repeat)

There is not very much difference between speak and talk.

When she walked into the room everybody stopped talking.

Talk
Talk is the more usual word to refer to conversational exchanges and informal communication. Ill have to speak to that boy -- hes getting very lazy. is often used for one-way communication and for exchanges in more serious or formal situations.

Speak
Speak is the usual word to refer to knowledge and use of languages.

After she had finished reading the letter, nobody spoke. She speaks three languages fluently.

aid me...)

untry...

t tomorrow.)

homework done.

y stopped talking.

g very lazy.

nobody spoke.

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