speak softly

Mostly gently, but a low voice would help too.

so if "speak slowly" is more similar to speak gently, what would be the opposite of "speak loudly"??

Thanks for your help, but I didn't understand...

Slowly, as you above, is not the same as softly.

However, the tone of your voice is different from the volume.

Imagine you are on one side of stream and the water is running pretty quickly, but not violently. Your dog is on the other side, and you are encouraging her to cross to you. You know it is safe, but she is afraid. You cannot call to her quietly, or she will not hear you.

I'd take softly to refer only to volume rather than intent - to speak quietly.

0 Thanks a lot everybody!!0-