8/19/2019 Say, tell, talk and speak.pdf

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Say, tell, talk and speakBy Javier Chaves

8/19/2019 Say, tell, talk and speak.pdf

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Say

Used in direct and indirect speech to tell something (n

Structure: Say+(to somebody)+something

Usually used without a personal object

-He said that it was my last chance

• If a personal object is added, to is used

-She said to me the same thing she had said to you bef

Expressions and colocations:

-Say no more (To know what somebody is talking about

-Easier said than done (its easier to talk about somethinactually do it)

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Tell

Used in direct and indirect speech to communicate in

Structure: tell+somebody+something

Usually used to tell someone to do something or to i

-Tom’s mother told him to clean his room

• It is not used before objects like words or phrases

-Hannah told an incorrect word

-Hannah told me about Mike

Expressions and colocations:

-Tell the truth

-Tell stories (lie)

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Talk

Refers t0 conversations and informal communication

Structure: talk+to somebody+(about something)

-How often do you talk to your grandmother?

-He talked to me about his problem

Expressions and colocations:

-Talk his/her head off (talk too much)-What are you talking about? (what do you refer to?)

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Speak

Used in formal situations for one way communicatiodoesn´t usually have dialog

Structure: Speak+to somebody+(about something)

-The boss had to speak to his assistant

Also used to refer to knowledge and the use of langua

-She speaks three languages fluently

Expressions and colocations:

-Speaking of the devil (a person you have been talking aappears)

-To speak one’s mind (to state one’s thoughts)