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Donoto Posted 20 years ago
Grammar
choice of speak vs. talk
Could you comment (idiomatic/not idiomatic, different meanings, etc) on the choice of speak/talk in the following sentences?
(1) Who did this? Now, speak/talk to me!
(2) He hesitated, and then spoke/talked.
(3) It’s ridiculous that nobody got a raise this season. As a union representative, I’ll go and speak/talk to the manager.
(4) You don’t understand. Let’s speak/talk.
(5) He spoke/talked in front of a crowd of angry commuters.
(6) The professor spoke/talked about the ecology of the lake.
(7) Don’t speak/talk to me like that.
(8) We spent hours speaking/talking about our childhood.
A related question: Basically, to speak as opposed to talk sounds more generic, meaning to utter words, not necessarily telling stories or engaging in conversations. If that’s true, how come:
(9) When did the baby begin to talk?
is more idiomatic than
(10) When did the baby begin to speak?
Or am I wrong about (9) and (10)?
(1) Who did this? Now, speak/talk to me!
(2) He hesitated, and then spoke/talked.
(3) It’s ridiculous that nobody got a raise this season. As a union representative, I’ll go and speak/talk to the manager.
(4) You don’t understand. Let’s speak/talk.
(5) He spoke/talked in front of a crowd of angry commuters.
(6) The professor spoke/talked about the ecology of the lake.
(7) Don’t speak/talk to me like that.
(8) We spent hours speaking/talking about our childhood.
A related question: Basically, to speak as opposed to talk sounds more generic, meaning to utter words, not necessarily telling stories or engaging in conversations. If that’s true, how come:
(9) When did the baby begin to talk?
is more idiomatic than
(10) When did the baby begin to speak?
Or am I wrong about (9) and (10)?
Top answer
Donoto Could you comment (idiomatic/not idiomatic, different meanings, etc) on the choice of speak/talk in the following sentences? (1) Who did this? Now, speak/talk to me!
- Donoto Could you comment (idiomatic/not idiomatic, different meanings, etc) on the choice of speak/talk in the following sentences?
- (1) Who did this?
- Now, speak/talk to me!
- : would be most appropriate.
- Speak to me: It doesn't sound quite right.
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10 Answers
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Donoto
Could you comment (idiomatic/not idiomatic, different meanings, etc) on the choice of speak/talk in the following sentences?
(1) Who did this? Now, speak/talk to me!
Someone speak up!: would be most appropriate.
Speak to me: It doesn't sound quite right.
00
The more I looked at these the more confused I became as I was coming up with lots of contradictory examples with different answers for different contexts. Not a simple issue.
00
Speak and talk have almost the same meaning.
In general, "speak" is used for one person and "talk" is used for conversations, or potential conversations.
This is a general rule. You should still say "Shut up when i'm talking!"
In general, "speak" is used for one person and "talk" is used for conversations, or potential conversations.
This is a general rule. You should still say "Shut up when i'm talking!"
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check this reference:
http://www.longman.com/ae/azar/grammar_ex/message_board/archive/
select and click on "Say"
click on "Say, tell, speak, talk"
click here [in the bottom part of the text]
http://www.longman.com/ae/azar/grammar_ex/message_board/archive/
select and click on "Say"
click on "Say, tell, speak, talk"
click here [in the bottom part of the text]
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0 The main thing to remember is that while 'speak' may or may not take a direct object, 'talk' never does. I can say "I speak English," but not, "I talk English." On the other hand, I could either 'speak' or 'talk' to my friend. In this case, it's merely context that determines which one to use: 'speaking' is generally a one-way communication while 'talking' implies a conversation or discussion
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0 So I suppose you don't talk a blue streak or talk up a storm? 0-
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Actually (5) can be opposite, speak can be two way, talk can be one way. You can speak with someone, you can talk to someone. Speaking/talking with someone implies a conversation. Talking/speaking to someone implies telling them something, but not necessarily listening for a reply. Both are correct. I prefer using speak with rather than talk with.
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How about this....
Don't (Speak/ Talk) if your mouth is full.......
Don't (Speak/ Talk) if your mouth is full.......
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Hi,
Neither is wrong, but I usually hear and read 'talk'.
It's commonly said when discussing good manners.
Clive
Neither is wrong, but I usually hear and read 'talk'.
It's commonly said when discussing good manners.
Clive
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