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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)