TALK, SPEAK, SAY, TELL: As a general rule, these verbs

SPEAK = TELL (different constructions):

Speak to him now = Tell him now
Speak to as many people as you can = Tell as many people as you can
SAY = TELL (different constructions):
Say you want to marry me = Tell me you want to marry me
SPEAK = TALK (same construction):
He is (in the middle of) speaking/talking to John
However, you cannot use SAY & TELL unless you change the construction:
He is (in the middle of) saying something to John
He is (in the middle of) telling John something
TALK v SPEAK v SAY v TELL used in the imperative:
1. SPEAK is often used in the imperative with an adverb or adverbial phrase
o
o

Speak quietly, etc.

Speak as loud as you can

2. TALK is rarely used in the imperative, but can carry a negative message
o Talk to him if you must, (but I dont want you to) (=If you insist on speaking to him, do so)
o Dont talk (=Say nothing)
o Talk among yourselves
3. TELL is often used in the imperative for messages
o Tell him I need some money
o Tell him I will be back soon
o Tell him Ive gone to the shops
4. SAY is used in the imperative for wanting something said to you
o Say something (to me) please (=speak to me )
o Say something nice (= tell me something nice)
o Say yes/Say no (= tell me you want/don't want to)
Let's + SPEAK = Let's + TALK (same construction):
Lets speak to him now = Lets talk to him now
However, you cannot use Let's + unless you change the construction:
Lets tell him now
Lets say something to him now.
NOTE: Let's = Let us
TALK v SPEAK v SAY v TELL + about :
talk about something. = speak about something
tell someone about something
say something to someone about s.t.
Exercise 1. (talking v saying v telling v speaking)
1. John was . something to Peter about us when we knocked on the door.
2. John was . about us when we knocked on the door.
3. John was . Peter about us when we knocked on the door.

4. John was . about us when we knocked on the door.

TALK v SPEAK v SAY v TELL used in phrasal verbs:
When used as phrasal verbs, TALK, SPEAK, SAY, TELL will almost certainly differ in meaning

Exercise.2
INSTRUCTIONS:
Replace the underlined words with a phrasal verb from the box above
Pay attention to the construction as word order may differ from the words you are replacing.
You may also need to conjugate the verb according to tense & person
1. Raise your voice a bit! . I cant hear what you are saying.
2. Harry was chatting . so intently to his girlfriend on the phone that he didn't notice his mother
enter the room.
3. He told finally revealed .
4. Initially, she refused to go to her son's wedding, but her husband persuaded her to change her mind.
.
5. Jennifer found that her new boss had a bad habit of being condescending towards her in front of
colleagues. .
6. The headmaster reprimanded the young lad .
7. As Ellie was too shy to say what she wanted, her brother told us instead. ............................
8. When Jeremy was accused of stealing, Joshua was the only one to voice support for
him. ............................
9. It was such a shock, we haven't decided what to do next. We will discuss it ............................ before
we come to the decision.
PRACTICE(Ex.3)
INSTRUCTIONS:
The exercise has been divided into two sections: SAY v TELL and TALK v SPEAK
Replace the underlined words with a suitable idiom from the box below
Pay attention to the construction as word order may differ from the words you are replacing.
You may also need to conjugate the verb according to tense & person
SAY idioms v TELL idioms

SAY idioms & TELL idioms

as the saying goes

have ones say

That goes without saying
I say!
on one's say-so
no sooner said than done = it will be/was accomplished immediately

to tell tales = to let someone know when someone does wrong in the hope
that they will be punished.
youre telling me = I am already aware of that.
to tell (tall) stories

1. "Can you please carry this shopping to the taxi for me?" "It will be accomplished immediately!
. ......................"
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

"If it rains for any more, there will be floods." "That's obvious" . ......................
"Sorry I'm late." "Well, people always say . ......................: Better late than never."
"Your suitcase is very heavy!" "I am already aware of that! . ......................"
I refuse to move home just just because you have decided it. . ......................
Goodness! . ...................... You've certainly lost weight! Have you been on a diet?
John's sister always lets his mother know when he does something wrong, in the hope that he will be

punished . ......................
8. Susan tends to fabricate . ...................... in order to feel important.
9. This meeting will be an opportunity for you to voice your opinion. . ......................
10. When the old man asked Peter to help him out of his chair, it was accomplished immediately.
. ......................
SPEAK idioms v TALK idioms

SPEAK idioms & TALK idioms

to speak ones mind

it speaks for itself
it speaks volumes
to speak well of someone
strictly speaking
in a manner of speaking
to not be on speaking terms
some plain speaking
Speak now or forever hold your peace

to indulge in idle talk

to engage in small talk
to talk the hind legs off a donkey
talking of something or someone
to talk through ones hat

to give someone a talking to

to give a talk

1. "Is Des an expert on computers?" "No, he isnt! Whatever he says about computers, he's talking
nonsense . ......................; he has absolutely no knowledge of them whatsoever!"
2. "I need to buy some bread from the shop." "That reminds me! . ...................... Did you know
that brown bread is better for you than white bread?"
3. "My mother lets me stay at home when she goes away for the weekend." "It's nice she trusts you, but
in fact . ......................, the law states that children under the age of 14 must not be left at
home alone."
4. "Where's your boyfriend, today?" "Oh, we have quarrelled . ......................, so he has gone to
the pub."
5. At a wedding: "Does anyone have a reason why these two people should not marry? If so, this is
your last chance to say anything." . ......................
6. Fiona moved from group to group at the party, engaging in pleasantries . ...................... with
as many people as she could.
7. His attitude demonstrates without words . ......................; that he has no respect for authority.
8. His body language says so much . ......................; it's obvious he doesn't want to help us.
9. I have been asked to give an informal speech . ...................... to the Woman's Institute about
making jam.
10. I think you could be right generally . ...................... speaking.
11. It's time you stopped mincing your words . ......................; you've been far too polite for too
long.
12. Phew! It has taken me 30 minutes to get away from the door-step salesman. He was so talkative, he
could talk incessantly . ......................!
13. Small-minded people with boring lives gossip . ...................... about people with interesting
lives.
14. That reminds me . ......................; I havent sent John a Christmas Card.
15. The boy has done wrong again; it's time you reprimanded him.......................
16. The tutor has praised our daughter so much . ......................, we believe she will do very well
in her course.
17. We've beaten about the bush for too long; this matter now calls for some stark facts
. .......................