Speak/talk

I say "speak" and "talk" are equally correct and natural here. "Speak" may be a bit higher register. - A.

Edit. I probably should say that "speak" would be preferred in this particular context by most people (except low register), but "talk" is also correct, according to my American Heritage.

Thank you a lot.

Hi Avangi,

I have some more examples about 'talk' and 'speak', are they interchangeable in the following sentences?

1.He and I didn't talk/speak much.
2.As time went by, he and I began to talk/speakk while taking a walk.
3.He is a pleasant man to talk/speak to.

Thanks in advance.

Anonymous1.He and I didn't talk/speak much. They both work, but when you mean "converse," "talk" works better than "speak." If you mean you "kept quiet" for some other reason, then "speak" is more effective. "Nobody spoke." (Nobody made a sound.) "Nobody talked." (Nobody ratted/squealed.)

2.As time went by, he and I began to talk/speakk while taking a

This topic reminds me of a song, The Sound of Silence by Simon and Garfunkel.

And in the naked light I saw
Ten thousand people, maybe more.
People talking without speaking,
People hearing without listening,
People writing songs that voices never share
And no one dared
Disturb the sound of silence.

Quoted from

exodejavuJust "Simon and Garfunkel's"?

That's it.

Thank you~

Hi Avangi,

Thanks for your reply very much.
I think I have some questions here:

1.He and I didn't talk/speak much.
If I mean 'converse', can I use 'speak' here?

2.Nobody spoke." (Nobody made a sound.)
Can I use 'talked' here?

3.Nobody talked." (Nobody ratted/squealed.)
Can I use 'spoke' here?

4.As time went by, he and I began to talk/s

1.He and I didn't talk/speak much.
If I mean 'converse', can I use 'speak' here? It's possible. Less common.

2.Nobody spoke." (Nobody made a sound.)
Can I use 'talked' here? It's possible.

3.Nobody talked." (Nobody ratted/squealed.)
Can I use 'spoke' here? No.

4.As tim

Anonymous As for the above two sentences, I don't understand why 'speak' doesn't work in 'he and I began to speak (with each other)...' but 'speak' perhaps works in 'he and I didn't speak much'?

There's sort of a fixed expression relating to people who do not converse because they are angry, or don't like each other. He and his wife are not on speaking