What is difference Speak, Talk, Say, Tell ?

Question

Hello teachers. I am Korean student who have learned English as foreign language.

I am have question whcih is confused. I have wondered what is difference Speak, Talk, Say, Tell.

I tried to find out using of distinction, I saw sentences whcih used these words. But I can not find out distinction.

I think that although it is same meaning, but it may be used different circumstances.

Please, teach me what is difference Speak, Talk, Say, Tell.

AlpheccaStars · Accepted Answer

Hello teachers. I am a Korean student who has learned English as a foreign language.
I am have a question which confuses me. I have wondered what the difference is between Speak, Talk, Say, and Tell.
I tried to find out using the dictionary and of distinction, I saw sentences which used these words. But I can not ~~find out~~ discover the distinction.
I think that although they have the same meaning, ~~but~~ they are used in different circumstances.
Please, teach me what the difference is between Speak, Talk, Say, Tell.

These words are very similar. Here are some general distinctions, but there are many exceptions.

We use say for direct quotes and reported speech.

He said, "Give me a break."

Bob said that he was sick.

We use tell for giving instructions, information or orders. Telling is not conversation.

Mom told me to go to bed at 8:00.

I told you so!

Bob told his boss that he would not be at work because he was sick.

We use talk for conversations.

They were talking to each other for hours on Skype.

He talked with the doctor.

We use speak when someone makes words with their mouth, or is before an audience.

He spoke in his sleep, but no one could understand what he said.

He spoke in a calm, quiet voice.

The president spoke to the people about the economy.

Anonymous · Answer

I came to know that what is difference speak, tell, talk, say.

It's used somewhat differently.

It's interesting so much.

Thank you for your kind and detailed reply.

Anonymous · Answer

hello

pls help me to understand what is the difference between tell, say and when it is used speak and talk

according to my information tell is used somebody to something in said there is no need to mention the name

Canadian45 · Answer

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These words of oral amd written English are all verbs; talk and say are also nouns. The verbs mainly differ in their grammar.
Talk and speak are very similar; speak is more formal and less commonly used.
I want to (speak)to/with you after work today.
When my father was unhappy with me, he always (talked)(spoke) to me very formally.
What did the guests talk about? (here speak is too formal)
How long did the president (speak)?
Don't

(speak) for more than 20 minutes.

Talk and speak are often followed by words like to, with, about and for. We also say things like '(talk)( speak) slowly and clearly.'
You can say 'speak English'. We don't say 'talk English' unless one means talk about English.

You can not say '(Say)(Tell) English', but you can say 'Say (it)(something) in English.' and 'Tell me something in English.'

Say is very commonly used.
What did he say? I didn't understand what he said. Say that again. Say it more slowly. I almost always agree with what he says. The weather man says it will be much colder tomorrow.

Say and tell are more commonly used for written things than talk and speak are. What did John say in his letter? The second chapter of the book will tell us about Napoleon's childhood.

Tell is almost aways immediately followed by a noun or pronoun that serves as a direct or indirect object.
Tell us more about yourself.
Tell

(Kate)(the class) what you did on Christmas Day.
I told the police what I saw.
I told my story to anyone who would listen.

When you (speak) to the students, what will you (say)(say to them)(tell them)?

Canadian45 · Answer

Please delete the above post.The smiley faces sabotaged it. <img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/9.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/9.gif' alt='Emotion: crying'/>

What is difference Speak, Talk, Say, Tell ?

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