Don’t speak when you have to talk.

Today’s English
April 19th, 2017

When we convey something to someone, we use words such as say, tell, speak and talk. Though they are interchangeable to some extent, they have remarkable differences.

1. Say versus tell

When we use “say", what is conveyed is more important than to whom it is told. If you feel that the matter conveyed is important, use “say” and if the person to whom it is conveyed is important, use “tell".

He said that he was on leave for three days. (The matter is important)
Don’t say: He told that he was on leave for three days.

He told her father about her problem. (to whom it is reported is important)
Don’t say: He said to her father about her problem.

The preposition and object next to these verbs are also of great concern. Say doesn’t require an object and if you use a personal object, then “to" is compulsory. But tell requires an object and “to" should not be used immediately after the verb:

He said to her that he was not at home yesterday. (preposition is compulsory)
Wrong usage: He said her that he was not at home yesterday.

He told her what he can do for her.
Wrong usage: He told what he can do for her. / he told to her what he can do for her.



N.B.  That is omitted in spoken English when you use “say" (He said he was busy).  Say is mostly used in reported speech and less common than tell in spoken English.

2. Speak versus talk

Speak refers to one way communication whereas talk is used in two way communication.  Use speak when the listener’s opinion is not required and use talk when sharing of ideas and opinions are necessary. Speak is formal but talk is informal.

The manager will speak to them about the new schemes. (Formal)
Don’t say: The manager will talk to them…

They talked about the new cinema for many hours. (Informal)
Don’t say: They spoke about the new cinema….

You can speak a language but cannot talk a language.  In the case of using language, talk shouldn’t be used:


He speaks Hindi fluently.
Which language do you speak at home?  (Here talk cannot be used)

“When I get ready to talk to people, I spend two thirds of the time thinking what they want to hear and one third thinking about what I want to say.”
Abraham Lincoln