Speakandtalk: uses
The verbsspeakandtalkboth generally mean ‘say words’, but there are some small differences in how they are used.Speakis more formal thantalk.
| Formal. It is possible that:
|
| Informal. It is possible that:
|
We usually usespeakfor more formal presentations and lectures, andtalkfor more informal ones:
Dr Graham Foster willspeakabout the history of the region.
Kyle is going totalkus through the benefits of the software and then Liz willtalkabout the marketing plan.
When we refer to languages, we usespeak:
How many languages do youspeak?
Not:How many languages do you talk?
I wish I couldspeakItalian.
Not: …talk Italian.
Speakusually only focuses on the person who is producing the words:
Hespokeabout the importance of taking exercise and having a good diet.
Talkfocuses on a speaker and at least one listener, and can mean ‘have a conversation’:
I hope I can meet you totalkabout my plans for the company.
Not:I hope I can meet you to speak about my plans…
| The focus is on his use of his voice to produce words.Speakfocuses only on the person who is producing the words. |
| The focus is on the use of words as part of a conversation with someone else. |
We usespeakon the telephone:
A:Is Rita there?
B:Who’sspeaking?
A:My name’s Anna. I work with her.
Not:Who’s talking?
Hello, can Ispeakto Laura, please?
Speakandtalkwith prepositions
We usually usetoafterspeakandtalk. In more formal situations, people sometimes usewith:
I need tospeak toyou about this conference next week.
I wastalking toRichard Moss the other day about the golf club.
May Ispeak withyou for a moment?(rather formal)
Typical errors
We don’t usetalkwhen referring to foreign languages:
I canspeakGerman and Spanish.
Not:I can talk German and Spanish.
We don’t usespeakto focus on conversation:
They cantalkand get to know each other over dinner.
Not:They can speak and get to know each other…