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Joey_five Posted 19 years ago
Grammar

"speak English" vs "speak in English"

Dear all,

1. Can you speak English?

2. Can you speak in English?

3. I want to learn how to speak English.

4. I want to learn how to speak in English.

Are the above sentences all correct? Is there any difference in meaning if "in" is used??

Thanks in advance
  

Top answer

Hi, 1. Can you speak English? 2.

  • Hi, 1.
  • Can you speak English?
  • 2.
  • Can you speak in English?
  • 3.
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10 Answers
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Hi,

1. Can you speak English?

2. Can you speak in English?

3. I want to learn how to speak English.

4. I want to learn how to speak in English.

Are the above sentences all correct? Yes.

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There's actually very little difference, and it's very subtle.

speak [language] is a non-contrastive do speaking using [language]. This form is usually used with knowing and learning.

I [ know / learned ] how to speak English.

speak in [language] is a contrastive communicate using this method rather than another. This form is used
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Jim, your acumen never ceases to amaze me!
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Emotion: embarrassed Thanks!

I hope that compliment doesn't prove to be premature. I don't think I've completely refined the differe
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thank you for the explanations. It's much clearer now.
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BBC World Service | Learning English | Ask about English

You know you're making progress in English when you speak in English, think in English, and dream in English. One day a stude
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'Should we speak Chinese or English?' Would sound more natural.
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Exactly. What about a situation if you ask your students: How often do you speak in English. (You mean: how often do you practise speaking (in) English?
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Hi welcome to you.i want to learn speak in english
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Hello. I wanted to speak english perfectly. Can you hepl me in speaking english

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