Talk and speak
Talk and speak are very similar and can be used interchangeably in many situations:
We are going to talk about how English is becoming a more popular language.
They will speak about the changes in learning patterns.
Formality
Speak (irregular verb) is more formal than talk (regular verb):
I want to speak to you.
Why do they want to speak with us?
We use speak to describe presentations and lectures
The sales director will speak about changing purchase patterns.
Shall we speak about our concerns regarding this process?
What will the speakers speak about at the lecture?
Tips
We speak languages
We speak about things that make us happy
It is more common ‘to speak and talk TO’ rather than ‘with’ someone
Let’s speak to them about this and see what they say
It is important to speak to others to see how they feel
Say and tell (irregular verbs)
Say and tell are used to report ideas or information.
She said that she was coming tomorrow.
They told us that the office will close early on Friday.
They said the weather would be warm this week.
Say focuses on specific words someone said
He said ‘nothing would change’
Didn’t I say that ‘things will change’?
Told focuses on the content of what is said rather than specific words
The company told everybody about the changes
Nobody can do anything until someone tells us what to do
Say and tell take a direct object using the reported clause
We said ‘we will attend if we can all agree on the date’
My dad told me to be kind to others.
Common errors
You said to me (not ‘you said me’)
We don’t use tell without an indirect object
I told her to try the new recipe
Why didn’t you tell me first?
How about you?
What have you said?
What have you been told?
Who spoke to you?
Who talks to you a lot? What do they talk about?