say speak tell talk

Part 1: SAY

1. to say something using spoken or written words;

Its getting late, she said.
You should write to the bank and say you need more time.
Hes been saying for weeks that hes going to repair that plug.

Say what \ where \ why The chairman started by saying why he

had called the meeting.

Say hello \ goodbye \ sorry He came to say goodbye.

Say a word \ a few words about Id like to say a few words about our
weekend programme.

2. to use particular words in order to express what you mean or think;

Mary wasnt sure how to say that she didnt want to see him any more.
Dont let me keep you is just a polite way of saying that you want someone to
leave.
How do you say Good morning in Italian?
3. to say something in an indirect way, used especially when you are asking someone
what the real meaning of a statement is;
What do you think the writer is saying in this story?
Are you saying Im fat?
So, what youre saying, Mr. President, is that taxes may have to rise.
4. to say that you have got some information by hearing people say
something ( especially something surprising or shocking )

they say They say that her husband is in prison

for killing a man.

people say People say he is confined to a wheelchair

because the surgeon made a mistake,
but I dont believe it.

so they say The nightclub burnt down and shots

used at the end of a statement, or were heard, or so they say.
in reply to a statement, to show

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that youre not sure whether it is
true

5. to say something to a number of people, especially in public, in order to give them

information or make clear your opinions;
President said in an interview that he had no intention of resigning.
It says here that the tunnel will be open at the end of 1994.
6. to pronounce something ( spoken English )
How do you say this word?
Im not sure if I can say this name its very unusual.

TALK

1. to say things to someone, especially in a conversation;

talk to sb. Dont talk to strangers.

I cant hear anyone when you all talk at
once.
You shouldnt talk with your mouth full.

talk about Vic finds it easy to talk about his

feelings.
I havent the faintest idea what youre
talking about.
2. to talk to someone about a particular subject, especially about a serious matter that
needs to be settled;

talk to sb. I cant make a decision until Ive talked to

my wife.

talk about If someone brings me a problem, we just

sit down and quietly talk about it.
3. to have a conversation;

talk to sb. Its been nice talking to you.

talk about. We talked about what we did when we

were children.

talk politics \ sport etc. Whenever we meet Veronica we always

seem to end up talking politics.
4. to make an informal speech about a particular subject to a group of people for
example at a meeting or on the radio;

give sb. a talk Mr. Jarvis agreed to give a talk to the

Gardening Club.

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give a talk on something I remember giving her a radio talk on the
Womens Movement in North America.

give sb. a talk Dr. Cookson gave us a very interesting

talk on her recent visit to Japan.
5. to talk too much about other peoples private lives and behaviour, usually in a
disapproving way;
We mustnt be seen together in public again. People are starting to talk.
6. to talk to yourself;
I think hes crazy he doesnt realize that he talks to himself all the time.
When Bettys concentrating on a difficult piece of work she has this habit of talking
to herself.

TELL

1. to give someone facts or information by speaking to them or writing to them;

tell sb. We were told that the manager wanted to

see us in his office immediately.

tell sb. what \ where \ who Just be honest and tell me how much
you think I weigh.

tell sb. sth. I want you to tell me all the details.

tell sb. about She said that she had already told them
about.
2. to tell sb. a story;
We used to gather round & listen to him telling wonderful stories.
You said you would tell me a story if I was good.
3. to say that a book, notice etc. provides people with information about something;

tell sb. how \ what \ where This leaflet tells you how to avoid
catching AIDS

tell sb. The two dials in the middle tell you the
airspeed & altitude.

4. to tell someone in authority ( especially a parent or a teacher ) about something

wrong that someone has done;
- Youre not allowed in the classroom during the lunch hour.- Im telling.

tell on Please, dont tell on me. Mum thinks Ive

been staying at my friends house.
5. to tell someone something that should be kept secret;

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tell sb. where \ what \ who He couldnt tell me where he got this
information.

tell sb. about Dont tell anyone about this.

tell Youd better not tell, or youll be in big

used especially by children trouble.
6. to tell sb. that they must do sth;

tell sb. Wait here, he told the children.

tell sb. to do sth. I thought I told you to be in bed, by 10

oclock.

tell sb. what to do Im in charge here, & Im not going to

have anyone telling me what to do.

SPEAK

1. to use your voice to produce words;

She opened her mouth to speak.
He has a throat infection that prevents him from speaking.

speak to sb. John! John! Speak to me. Are

you all right?

2. to be able to speak a particular language;

Can you speak German?
Well have to find someone who speaks English.
3. to talk to someone about a particular subject especially about a serious matter that
needs to be settled;

speak to sb. about I intend to speak to the

manager about the way I have
been treated.
Have you spoken to Michael
about your problem?

4. to make a formal speech;

If we have a company dinner well have to have someone to speak.
Speaking to Congress, the President appealed for co-operation in tackling the
budget deficit.

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Ex.1. Fill in the gaps with say, tell, speak, talk in the correct form:

1. Dont believe anything he .

2. I intend to to the manager about the way I have been treated.
3. We were our childhoods and realized we both went to the same school.
4. Id just like to a few words about schedule.
5. Dont me youve forgotten my birthday again.
6. I have Im sorry what more do you want.
7. Dianas been invited to at the annual conference.
8. I cant stand it when they politics.
9. When I was young my father me stories about the war.
10. Could you a little louder please?
11. ( Use negative. ) me how to behave in public.
12. Mom says were not allowed to to strangers.
13. It in the paper that there were no survivors.
14. At 12.00 tomorrow Mrs. Elliot will be about the best way to cultivate roses.
15. The baby is just learning to .
16. It in the instructions how much you should use?
17. The sports club rules that sports shoes must be worn in the gym at all
times.
18. All the hostages were that they had to lie on the floor.
19. Im going to if you dont stop messing around.
20. I dont think he should be , it might upset him too much.
21. Sally would like to to you for a minute.
22. If you promise not to on me Ill put the money back where I found it.

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Part 2 EXPRESSIONS
WITH SAY, SPEAK, TELL, TALK

SAY

1. say yes \ no Can I go, Mum? Oh please, say yes.

2. say so - Do you think they are happy?
- I wouldnt say so
3. say your piece Ok, youve said your piece now shut up.
say what you want to say
4. say a prayer \ We could hear the priest at the altar saying a
say your prayers prayer.
to say a fixed set of words that
When I was a child, I had to say my prayers
form a prayer
every night.
5. say no more - I saw him leaving her flat at 6.30 this
used to show that you understand morning.
what someone means, although it - Say no more!
has not been said directly
6. say the word Just say the word and Ill get rid of her.
used to tell someone they have
only to ask you & you will do what
they want
7. say what you like Say what you like, shes a very good mother.
used when giving an opinion that
you are sure is correct, even if a
person you are talking to might
disagree with you

SPEAK

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1. speak in favour of \ against
support or oppose
2. speaking as a parent \
teacher \ democrat etc.
3. speak well \ badly \ ill of
say good or bad things about
someone
4. speak highly of
praise someone
5. speak your mind
tell people exactly what you think
even, if it offends them
6. generally \ personally \
technically \ roughly \ broadly
speaking
1. tell a joke \ secret \ lie
2. tell the truth
3. tell sb. straight
tell someone the true facts or your
true feelings
4. tell the time
5. tell sb. ones name
6. tell sb. the way
7. tell sb. so
used when you have warned
someone about a possible danger
that has now happened and they
have ignored your warning
8. tell ones fortune
9. tell the difference
10. tell sth. from sth.
Only one MP spoke against the bill.
Speaking as a parent Id like to see more
discipline in school.
Its wrong to speak ill of the dead.
All the former patients speak highly of Dr.Seal.
She is very direct, the kind of a person who
believes in speaking their mind.
Generally speaking, rural schools provide a
better environment for the students.
TELL
Pat told them a joke about two flies walking on
the ceiling and everybody laughed.
Can I tell you a secret?
Whenever she told a lie, she felt guilty
afterwards.
If Dan is telling the truth, the others are in
danger.
I told her straight I wasnt coming.
Can you tell me the time?
Tell me your name and address.
Could you tell me the quickest way to
Manchester?
I told you so.
She paid 100 $ to have her fortune told.
Margarine and butter? I cant tell the
difference.
Amateurs may be unable to tell fake from the
original painting.
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 TALK

1. talk sense He is a little old-fashioned but he talks a lot of sense.

to give sensible opinions
about things
2. talk rubbish \ - Mr. Smith, our office is too cold.
nonsense \ crab - Dont talk such rubbish. I suppose you re looking for
used to tell someone
an excuse to avoid work.
that what they are
saying is silly and
completely wrong

Ex.1. Fill in the gaps with say, tell, speak, talk in the correct form:

1. Can you what time the film starts?

2. I promise to the truth, the whole truth & nothing but the truth.
3. Ruth her prayers & went to bed.
4. Sometimes its hard to one twin from another.
5. Stop such rubbish. Its incredible.
6. Ill put our complaints to the management Im not afraid to my mind.
7. what you like, Im not going to change my viewpoint.
8. Do you think he is trustworthy? I wouldnt so.
9. Can you my fortune?
10. I suppose hes really pleased with his new secretary he always highly of her
skills.
11. Personally I cant agree with you.
12. sense. We are wasting time.
13. She good morning as he came into the office.
14. He used to his children a story every night.
15. Mr. Smith in favour of tax reform yesterday.
16. the word and Ill do away with him.
17. I guess Ill him straight that Im not going to marry him.
18. You have your piece. Now Id like to my mind.

Ex.2. Fill in the gaps with say, tell, speak, talk in the correct form:

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A This sugar-free chocolate is delicious 1) Sandra.
I cant 2)the difference between this chocolate
and the one containing sugar. I like it, too 3)
Mark. I wish someone had 4) me about it sooner.
I could have lost so much weight! To 5) you the
truth, I dont think you should lose weight, 6)
Sandra. I like you just the way you are, she 7)
him.

B I saw Paul in town today, Steve 1) Louise.

I 2) good afternoon to him and I noticed that
hed had his hair cut. I should have 3) something
about it, but it looked awful, so I didnt mention it.
You did the right thing, Louise 4) him. Its better
to 5) ... nothing than to 6) a lie.

C At Alisons wedding reception, her father stood up and

1) the guests that he would like to 2) a few
words. He started to 3) a story about when Alison
was young. Alison felt embarrassed, but she didnt
4) so. Then, her father 5) the guests some
jokes, which everyone found very funny. Finally, he
6) a prayer for the happy couple.

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 Part 1 Ex. 1.
1. says 7. speak 13. said 19. tell
2. speak 8. talk 14. talking 20. told
3. talking 9. told 15. speak 21. speak
4. say 10. speak 16. Does it say 22. tell
5. tell 11. Dont tell 17. say
6. said 12. talk 18. told

Part 2 Ex. 1.
1. tell 7. say 13. said
2. tell 8. say 14. tell
3. said 9. tell 15. spoke
4. tell 10. speaks 16. Say
5. talking 11. speaking 17. tell
6. speak 12. Talk 18. Said, speak

Ex. 2.
A 1. said B 1. told C 1. told
2. tell 2. said 2. say
3. said 3. said 3. tell
4. told 4. told 4. say
5. tell 5. say 5. told
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6. said 6. tell 6. said
7. told

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