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Snarf Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
Speak With
"I wish to speak with you at once!" he ordered.
In trying to sound more formal, is it fine to use "with" there instead of "to?"
Thanks.
In trying to sound more formal, is it fine to use "with" there instead of "to?"
Thanks.
Top answer
Yes. Formal or not, with sounds much better to me.
- Yes.
- Formal or not, with sounds much better to me.
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6 Answers
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With - implies a dialog between equals (but he probably does not really mean it in this way..)
To - one-sided (teacher to student, mother to child, etc.)
To - one-sided (teacher to student, mother to child, etc.)
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AlpheccaStarsWith - implies a dialog between equals (but he probably does not really mean it in this way..)To - one-sided (teacher to student, mother to child, etc.)So it has nothing to do with formality at all then?
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There is no definite or universally recognized difference in meaning between [talk / speak] [to / with]. They're very often used interchangeably. A Google search (if not experience) will tell you that.
Having said that, I would say that with is preferable in formal English, at least to my ear.
Of course, there are contexts in which one is clearly more appropriate th
Having said that, I would say that with is preferable in formal English, at least to my ear.
Of course, there are contexts in which one is clearly more appropriate th
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AlpheccaStarsWith - implies a dialog between equals (but he probably does not really mean it in this way..)
To - one-sided (teacher to student, mother to child, etc.)This is exactly my feeling as well.
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Well, they are equals in status; he just feels he has a right to boss her around.
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