TALK
Firstly, talk is a verb that simple describes the action of moving one’s mouth and producing words. Talk suggests a conversation or discussion
Students like to talk in English.
Feel free to talk amongst yourselves while we are waiting to start the class.
To relax, I like to walk, talk and look at the scenery.
We can talk about something: ‘We must talk about this situation’
We can talk to people: ‘Is he having difficulty? I will talk to him later to see if we can help’
We cannot say: ‘She talked that…’
It is also possible for someone to give a talk about something
In university today, we welcome Professor Jones who will give a talk about molecular structures.
Teacher Stefano will now give us a talk on English in the workplace.
SPEAK
Speak is similar to talk and can be more focused on one side of communication.
Speak to me!
Who did you speak to?
Someone will speak at the meeting, just go.
It is not possible to ‘speak that…’
SAY
This is good for reported speech when describing what somebody communicated:
– present simple –
We can convey the context: The company will say what they plan for the next year.
We can quote: Why did you say ‘I am not going?’
– simple past –
‘who said that?’
who said ‘Friends, Romans, countrymen?’ (quote from Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare)
Say can also be used as ‘for example, what if or imagine’
‘Say we decided to change our mind?’
‘What if they say, did not buy the house after all’
TELL
With tell, we describe ‘who’ is told. We can add what message was communicated too.
– present form –
Tell ‘me’ why we can’t eat the bread.
The prime minister needs to tell ‘the people’ what the plans are.
– simple past form –
She told ‘her’ not to worry.
‘Everyone’ was told again and again what to expect.
Tell can also mean to determine
By looking at the house, you can tell who designed it.
You can tell that today is cold by looking out of the window.
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