What is the difference between speak say and talk?
He was speaking so quickly I found it hard to understand. However, if two or more people are having a conversation, you usually say that they are talking. You don’t say that they `are speaking’. I think she was listening to us while we were talking.
Is there a difference between say and speak?
“Speak” is used in formal situations and in one-way communication as in the giving of a lecture or a message to a group of people. It is often used when one is talking about the language ability of a person. “Say” is used in direct and indirect speech and usually does not have a personal object.
Which is better speak or talk?
The only difference is that speak is more formal than talk. For example, talking to a friend is casual while speaking with your students is more formal and informative. Further, talking is more like striking a conversation (2 ways) while speaking comes from the noun speech, which often means relaying information.
Are talk and speak interchangeable?
In general, both speak and talk are used to refer to the act of expressing thoughts with words. Speak and talk can be used interchangeably in sentences like these: I need to speak/talk to the manager here.
Where can I use speak and talk?
Speak usually only focuses on the person who is producing the words: He spoke about the importance of taking exercise and having a good diet. Talk focuses on a speaker and at least one listener, and can mean ‘have a conversation’: I hope I can meet you to talk about my plans for the company.
When to Say tell and say?
We use say and tell in different ways in reported speech. Say focuses on the words someone said and tell focuses more on the content or message of what someone said: ‘Hello,’ she said.
Do we speak English or talk English?
Both are correct, in theory. But “speak” is much more common in modern English. In most of its (modern) uses, “talk” is an intransitive verb: no object: – We talked.
Where do we use say?
We use say and tell in different ways in reported speech. Say focuses on the words someone said and tell focuses more on the content or message of what someone said: ‘Hello,’ she said. Not: ‘Hello,’ she told.