Difference between SAY / TELL / SPEAK / TALK

Difference between SAY / TELL / SPEAK / TALK Super Useful English Grammar

Explanation + Extra Practice

Difference between SAY, TELL, SPEAK, and TALK

These four verbs are often confusing for English learners, but they have different uses. Let’s break them down in simple terms!

1. SAY

  • Use “say” when you report words or thoughts.
    • We use “say” to focus on the words that were spoken.
    • We do not say who is being spoken to directly after “say” (unless we add “to”).
  • Structure:
    [Subject] + say + [something]
  • Examples:
    • She said hello.
      (She said the word “hello.”)
    • He said that he was tired.
      (He reported that he was feeling tired.)
    • She said to me, “Good job!”
      (You must add “to” if you mention who was spoken to.)

2. TELL

  • Use “tell” when you mention who you are speaking to.
    • We use “tell” when we are giving information, instructions, or telling someone something.
    • “Tell” is followed by a person (someone), and then the message.
  • Structure:
    [Subject] + tell + [someone] + [something]
  • Examples:
    • He told me a secret.
      (He gave me some secret information.)
    • She told them to be quiet.
      (She gave them instructions to be quiet.)
    • Can you tell me the time?
      (You want the person to give you the time.)

3. SPEAK

  • Use “speak” when you talk formally or use a specific language.
    • “Speak” is often used for one-way communication or formal situations.
    • It also refers to knowing or using a language.
  • Structure:
    [Subject] + speak + [language]
    [Subject] + speak to + [someone]
  • Examples:
    • I speak English and Spanish.
      (I know and can use these languages.)
    • She spoke to the manager.
      (She communicated with the manager.)
    • He spoke about his new project at the meeting.
      (He gave a formal talk about his project.)

4. TALK

  • Use “talk” for informal conversations or when people speak to each other.
    • “Talk” is more casual than “speak” and is used for two-way communication.
    • You can “talk” to someone or “talk about” a topic.
  • Structure:
    [Subject] + talk to + [someone]
    [Subject] + talk about + [something]
  • Examples:
    • They talked about the weather.
      (They had a casual conversation about the weather.)
    • I talked to my friend yesterday.
      (I had a conversation with my friend.)
    • We need to talk.
      (We need to have a conversation.)

Quick Summary:

  • SAY: Focus on the words spoken.
    Example: He said, “Good morning.”
  • TELL: Focus on giving information to someone.
    Example: She told me a funny story.
  • SPEAK: Formal situations or languages.
    Example: I speak English.
  • TALK: Casual conversations between people.
    Example: They talked about their weekend.

Extra Practice

Beginner Level – SAY, TELL, SPEAK, and TALK Quiz

  1. Can you ___ me what time it is?
    a) speak
    b) say
    c) tell
  2. She ___ that she will be late.
    a) said
    b) spoke
    c) told
  3. We always ___ to each other after school.
    a) tell
    b) talk
    c) speak
  4. They ___ to the manager about the problem.
    a) spoke
    b) said
    c) talked
  5. He didn’t ___ anything during the meeting.
    a) tell
    b) say
    c) talk
  6. I can’t ___ French very well.
    a) speak
    b) tell
    c) say
  7. Please ___ her to call me later.
    a) talk
    b) tell
    c) speak
  8. Did you ___ with your boss about the raise?
    a) talk
    b) say
    c) tell
  9. She didn’t ___ anything important.
    a) speak
    b) talk
    c) say
  10. They ___ each other all the time.
    a) tell
    b) talk
    c) speak
  11. I can ___ Spanish and Italian.
    a) tell
    b) speak
    c) say
  12. Could you ___ them to wait for me?
    a) say
    b) tell
    c) talk
  13. I want to ___ with you about something important.
    a) speak
    b) say
    c) tell
  14. She ___ me about her vacation.
    a) told
    b) spoke
    c) said
  15. Please don’t ___ that again!
    a) tell
    b) say
    c) speak

Answers – Beginner Level:

  1. c, 2. a, 3. b, 4. a, 5. b, 6. a, 7. b, 8. a, 9. c, 10. b, 11. b, 12. b, 13. a, 14. a, 15. b

Intermediate Level – SAY, TELL, SPEAK, and TALK Quiz

  1. My teacher ___ me to study harder if I want better grades.
    a) said
    b) told
    c) talked
  2. We had a long ___ about our future plans.
    a) speak
    b) talk
    c) say
  3. He didn’t ___ much during the interview because he was nervous.
    a) say
    b) tell
    c) talk
  4. After the presentation, he ___ to the audience for questions.
    a) spoke
    b) told
    c) said
  5. Can I ___ to you for a minute about something private?
    a) say
    b) tell
    c) talk
  6. I’ll ___ him the news tomorrow morning.
    a) speak
    b) tell
    c) say
  7. She ___ me to call her back after lunch.
    a) told
    b) said
    c) spoke
  8. When he called, he ___ he couldn’t make it to the meeting.
    a) told
    b) spoke
    c) said
  9. I want to ___ to my boss about getting a raise.
    a) speak
    b) say
    c) tell
  10. We were ___ about the new project when the power went out.
    a) talking
    b) speaking
    c) telling
  11. Please ___ to the HR manager about the situation.
    a) talk
    b) speak
    c) tell
  12. You should ___ something if you don’t agree with the decision.
    a) say
    b) talk
    c) tell
  13. He ___ to his students every day about life and career advice.
    a) said
    b) speaks
    c) tells
  14. Let’s ___ to her and find out what happened.
    a) say
    b) tell
    c) speak
  15. She ___ me about her new promotion yesterday.
    a) told
    b) talked
    c) spoke

Answers – Intermediate Level:

  1. b, 2. b, 3. a, 4. a, 5. c, 6. b, 7. a, 8. c, 9. a, 10. a, 11. b, 12. a, 13. b, 14. c, 15. a

Advanced Level – SAY, TELL, SPEAK, and TALK Quiz

  1. The CEO ___ the board members to prepare a detailed report on the company’s financial status.
    a) said
    b) spoke
    c) told
  2. You should ___ to a financial advisor before making such a big investment.
    a) tell
    b) talk
    c) say
  3. When we arrived, the guide ___ us that the museum was closed for renovations.
    a) told
    b) said
    c) spoke
  4. I remember him ___ something about moving abroad, but I’m not sure of the details.
    a) talking
    b) saying
    c) telling
  5. I couldn’t hear what she was ___ because the background noise was too loud.
    a) talking
    b) speaking
    c) saying
  6. After weeks of negotiations, they finally sat down to ___ seriously about their differences.
    a) speak
    b) talk
    c) tell
  7. The professor ___ to the students about the importance of critical thinking in their research.
    a) talked
    b) said
    c) spoke
  8. She always ___ about her travels, but she never shows any pictures.
    a) says
    b) speaks
    c) talks
  9. They ___ the issue was resolved, but I still have my doubts.
    a) said
    b) told
    c) talked
  10. During the conference, the guest speaker ___ on the topic of climate change.
    a) spoke
    b) said
    c) talked
  11. I’m not sure if you can hear me clearly, but I’ll ___ loudly so everyone can understand.
    a) tell
    b) speak
    c) say
  12. He ___ me that he would finish the report by Friday, but he still hasn’t.
    a) told
    b) talked
    c) spoke
  13. I overheard them ___ about their vacation plans for next summer.
    a) talking
    b) speaking
    c) telling
  14. The announcement ___ everyone should evacuate the building immediately due to the fire alarm.
    a) said
    b) told
    c) spoke
  15. He didn’t ___ anything during the argument, he just sat there quietly.
    a) speak
    b) say
    c) talk

Answers – Advanced Level:

  1. c, 2. b, 3. a, 4. b, 5. c, 6. b, 7. c, 8. c, 9. a, 10. a, 11. b, 12. a, 13. a, 14. a, 15. b
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