Talked versues spoke?

Question

Is this grammatically incorrect? "I'm sure he is (smart), just didn't show it by the way he talked." Someone tells me that it is poor grammar to use "talked" and that I should've used the word "spoke" instead. I'm thinking that "spoke" might be a better choice but I also think that "talked" is perfectly acceptable.

Avangi · Accepted Answer

There have been quite a few threads on this subject.  You might want to try our search engine.  - A. <img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' alt='Emotion: smile'/>

Anonymous · Answer

oh ok, thanks..sorry, did not know that..any tips on how to search for it? i suck with forum search engines..

Avangi · Answer

Not a problem. Most people don't care to bother with it. I often get frustrated with it myself.

The white search bar is clearly visible at the top right - about two-and-a-half by a half, if you're into inches.
type in talk vs speak and click the black magnifying glass.

AnonymousIs this grammatically incorrect? "I'm sure he is (smart), just didn't show it by the way he talked." Someone tells me that it is poor grammar to use "talked" and that I should've used the word "spoke" instead. I'm thinking that "spoke" might be a better choice but I also think that "talked" is perfectly acceptable.

I agree that in this case both work fine.
To some people, "the way he talked" would refer more to what he said,
and "the way he spoke" would refer more to his manner and style of speaking.

CalifJim · Answer

AnonymousI'm thinking that "spoke" might be a better choice but I also think that "talked" is perfectly acceptable.

I agree.

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

When I said "I didn't know that." I meant that I did not know that my question was an often asked question. I did not want to type in "talk vs speak" in the search bar (after you told me to use the search engine) because I was afraid that that would only bring up threads with that exact title and that the results will not be satisfying. I am a member of other forums and some of their mechanisms require one to use certain symbols such as a plus sign in between two words if you wan't to bring up posts that include those two words and other such mechanisms. I just found that a bit complicated.

In any case, I think my question has been answered. Thanks to you and Calif.

Avangi · Answer

Anonymousand other such mechanisms. I just found that a bit complicated.

I agree. I made up my mind to master the "Lucene protocols" a year ago, but I quickly found that many "search engines" which claim to use them really don't. It's infuriating. Even the quotes in Google don't seem to work as advertised. Seems like a pig in a poke.

Talked versues spoke?

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