To speak hard

Question

Hi there,please I need your help to express this concept: "I must speak to them hard otherwise they don´t understand"Is it possible to say "to speak hard" ?I also found on the dictionary: harsh or strict  could they be OK in tha context?ThanksPamela

Ronny_GER · Accepted Answer

Hi,

I would say: "I must speak tartly to them otherwise they won't understand."

"to speak hard" I've never heard.

You could also try describing the way you speak e.g. "I need to speak with a hard voice" or "I must speak in a strict sound"

Hope it helps a bit and is also not totally wrong.

Ronny

Canadian45 · Answer

Pamela81Hi there, please I need your help to express this concept:
"I must speak to them hard otherwise they don´t understand"

Is it possible to say "to speak hard" ? No, "to speak.....hard" has no clear meaning.

What do you mean by "don't understand"? Do you mean they don't know what your meaning is or they don't do what you want them to do, or do you mean something else?

I also found on the dictionary: harsh or strict could they be OK in tha context? That depends on what meaning you want to express.

What do you want to say?

Thanks Pamela
c45

Pamela81 · Answer

Hi,

thanks to both for the replies.

I know the sentence is not clear :-( I try to explain the concept a little bit better if possible:by "to speak hard" I mean I must be clear enough with my words and maybe also rude or unkind. By "they don´t understand" I mean that if I don´t speak to them in a certain way, they wouldn´t understand that I don´t have interest in them and they would go on courting me.

I hope this explains a little bit more what I need to say..

Thanks

Pamela

Hrsanei · Answer

Hi.

You will be understood by saying that, but it is not a common of saying that.

I would go fot strict, harsh and stern,

I must speak harshly to them otherwise they won't listen.

Or

I must speak in the sternest way, otherwise they won't listen.

Regards

Pamela81 · Answer

Hello Hrsanei,

thanks! that´s very clear! In this case the verb "to listen" is better than "to understand" ?

Cheers

Pamela

JoshStafford · Answer

I would venture that it depends on the situation. If you're writing a book or an essay sometimes it is acceptable to use a different turn of phrase to get the reader to stop and think--but don't overdo it. A South Korean student whom I know once wrote in an essay he asked me to critique, "It seems the reader could get a message..."

Could get a message? What does that mean? It's different to "might get a message". Which message? The intended message? The phrase "could get a message" is more mysterious; there were messages to be taken, but did the reader take the right one...or even see the messages hidden within the text? It seems I was not the only one who liked it: that phrase was called out by his teacher, with the comment that it was unusual and powerful.

In your case, "He spoke hard" or "His words were hard" is different to "He spoke harshly" or "His words were harsh". With using hard instead of harsh causes the reader to ponder the meaning, and, as a result, begin to own the interpretation placed on the text.

Don't be afraid to break the rules; know only the message you wish (or might inadvertently) to convey by breaking them. Do it too often and the message is different: the person doesn't write well. Write a perfect passage like that student and throw in a strange turn of phrase--that's powerful.

Canadian45 · Answer

Pamela81I mean I must be clear enough with my words and maybe also rude or unkind. By "they don´t understand" I mean that if I don´t speak to them in a certain way, they wouldn´t understand that I don´t have interest in them and they would go on courting me. I hope this explains a little bit more what I need to say.. Thanks Pamela
The underlined part tells us what you want to achieve. You want them to 'get the message', which is to stop bothering you, to leave you 'alone'.

"harshly" is a good word here. It means in an unpleasant and unfriendly way.

"to listen" can have the meaning of obeying, of doing what you want them to do.

So hrsanei's sentence is quite good, but you can make a more explicit sentence if you wish.

'I must speak to them harshly; otherwise, they won't (stop bothering me)(leave me alone).'

CalifJim · Answer

Pamela81Is it possible to say "to speak hard" ?

You want 'speak firmly to' or 'be firm with'.

I have to be firm with them; otherwise, ...

CJ

Canadian45 · Answer

CalifJim

You want 'speak firmly to' or 'be firm with'.

I have to be firm with them; otherwise, ...

CJ

But I am not sure that "firmly" has (enough of) the unpleasant discouraging tone that Pamela81 wants to transmit to her unwanted suitors.

Pamela81 · Answer

Hi,

thank you so much for all the replies!!

I checked the dictionary and found out that "firmly" translates "fermamente" in italian language, while "harshly" is a little bit stronger and maybe conveys annoyed tone and in some way can also sound unkind. I think that in my case I could use both, now I understand the difference. Thank you so much for your help!!

Cheers

Pamela

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