Here is Audio Word Study #033 from Jane Lawson at DailyStep.com
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In this word study, I’ll teach you the differences – and the similarities – between two very common verbs – SPEAK and TALK. Thank you for all your emails asking me to explain these words. Please take a look at Audio Blog #032 to learn the differences between SAY and TELL.
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SPEAK
Form: SPEAK, SPOKE, SPOKEN
Meaning: to say words, to use the voice, or to have a conversation with someone
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TALK
Form: TALK, TALKED, TALKED
Meaning: to say words aloud or to speak to someone
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Grammar: SPEAK and TALK can be transitive or intransitive verbs. In other words, they can be followed by a direct or indirect object, or no object at all.
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In many cases it does not matter which one you use – but the nuance can be a bit different. Take a look at these examples:
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1. I spoke to Mary yesterday. (note: here, it sounds as if I did not say very much to Mary, maybe just a few words.)
2. I talked to Mary yesterday. (note: here, it sounds as if I had a conversation with Mary.)
3. He spoke to me about the future of the company. (note: here, it sounds as if the conversation was quite formal, or as if the conversation was rather one-sided. In other words, I did not say much!)
4. He talked to me about the future of the company. (note: here, it sounds as if we had more of a conversation, and also perhaps it was not formal.)
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In other cases, SPEAK and TALK are not interchangeable. In other words, only one of them is correct.
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5. Do you speak English? (note: we always say ‘speak a language’ not ‘talk a language’.)
6. He was talking total nonsense! (note: we always say ‘talk nonsense’ not ‘speak nonsense’.)
7. “Can I speak to Mary please?” “Yes, this is Mary speaking.” (note: we always ‘speak’ at the beginning of a telephone call.)
8. I don’t understand! What are you talking about? (note: we never say ‘what are you speaking about’, unless we are asking about the topic of someone’s forthcoming speech at a conference or other event.)
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There are some expressions where we always use SPEAK. Look at these examples:
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9. He speaks very highly of Paul. Paul sounds like a very clever man. (note: this means ‘He says very good things about Paul.’)
10. Who is going to speak for the defendant? (note: this means ‘Who is going to represent the defendant in the court of law.)
11. “Neither of us wants to go to that exhibition.” “Speak for yourself! I certainly want to go!” (note: the expression ‘speak for yourself’ means ‘Do not speak on my behalf, because I do not agree with what you just said’.)
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That is all for Audio Word Study #033 from DailyStep English. Please try to write your own examples using these verbs, as this will help you to remember how to use them correctly.
Hello, I’m Jane at DailyStep English and welcome to my Audio Blog!
