Tell / Say / Speak / Talk -

Tell = to give information to somebody by speaking or writing

tell someone something: 'I told him about it.'

tell something to somebody: 'He told the news to his co-worker.

'Please, tell me your name'

= we usually say who is told (personal object) and what they were told

'I told him...', 'They told us...', 'We told them...'

'He told me ( that ) he was hungry.'

'Mary told me to eat dinner.'

'Our parents told us about it.'

Say = Never has a person as the object- . You say something or say something to
somebody.

Tell me what he said to you.

I want to say something on this subject.

= The construction 'He said that' is very common, but the 'that' is often omitted in
informal writing and speech.

She said (that) she worked in the big company.

He said (that) he was ill.

Sally said that John would be late to the party.

Both ' SAY ' and ' TELL ' can be used in direct or indirect speech.

DIRECT SPEECH: I said:' I'm hungry'. / I told him: 'I'm hungry'.

INDIRECT SPEECH: I said that I was hungry'. / I told him that I was hungry.
Speak = We often use it for one-way communication, and also for more serious or formal
situations.

I need to speak to you after class.

The king of this country spoke to the audience about the war.

= When we want to refer to a person's ability to speak a language.

He speaks two languages.

Do you speak English?

Talk = It is used about a general topic. It cannot be used to report specific indirect
speech.

This verb usually refers to two or more people exchanging or sharing information.

We talked about my big project.

Let's talk about it!

Both ' SPEAK ' and ' TALK' have similar meanings.

There is no big difference between them.

They can often be used in the same situation.

I spoke to her about the meeting.

I talked to her about the meeting.

('SPEAK' has a more serious or formal tone.)

Typical phrases with the verb SAY
Say it loudly and clearly.
Say these words after me.
Don't be silent, say something!
He didn't say a word.
Say hello to your family for me.
I said thank you.
Will she say yes?
I wouldn't say no.
Say no to drugs.
Never say die.
You can say that again! / You said it!
How do you say good-bye in Spanish?
I'd like to say a few words about the
importance of this research.
He said many nice things about you.
What can you say about his new book?
There's not much I can say for him.
I have a lot to say against this plan.
They say it's an interesting town.
It is often said that you're as old as you feel.
What can I say?
I'm afraid I couldn't say.
The verb TELL
Main meanings of the verb TELL: give an
account of, recount, relate, narrate; inform,
communicate (to); describe, express in
words; order or request; distinguish.

Typical phrases with the verb TELL

Tell me about your childhood, please.
Did she tell you about her trip to Mexico?
He told me about his plans.
Tell us how you managed to do it.
Could you tell me where the bank is?
He told me how to get to the station.
He told us the news.
She told him the facts.
Tell me your name, please.
He didn't tell me his name.
She told me her secret.
He told us many good things about you.
He often tells good jokes.
He told me a new joke.
He told me an interesting story about cats.
She often tells her children a story / a fairy
tale before sleep.
Stop telling me tales!
Tell me the truth.
He always tells the truth.
To tell you the truth, I don't like parties.
She told you a lie.
Do you often tell white lies?
Can you tell me the time? (But: My watch
says five o'clock.)
He told her to sell the car.
She told me to wait here.
I can't tell the twins apart.
I can't tell the difference between them.
Can you tell this brand of tea from that one?
I could tell by her voice that she was very
upset.
The other boys told on him.
Hard work is beginning to tell on his health.
I told you so!
What did I tell you!

QUIZ

1. Your father_____ me that you are good at speaking French.

2. _____ me, do you love your parents?

3. He always _____ me some interesting stories about his cats.

4. Yesterday, we were sitting, drinking coffee and _____ about the weather.

5. Can we _____ tomorrow? I have to go to work now.

6. You should _____ to your parents about that.

7. I don't want to _____ you again and again to do your homework.

8. English is _____ all over the world.

9. I don't have anything more toV _____ . Leave me alone!

10. They never stop _____ . It drives me crazy.

11. The president _____ about peace and friendship between our countries.

12. The girls love to _____ about clothes.

13. Speak up! My grandmother can't hear what you're _____ . She is a little
deaf.

14. Who is _____ ? - This is Oliver Novak speaking.

15. Listen to me. I would like to _____ you a joke.

16. My parents don't always _____ the same language.

17. I'm confused by his behaviour. That's why I _____ to his parents
yesterday.

18. She _____ "goodbye" to him and went away.

19. I never believe anything they _____ . They are often dishonest.

20. He probably knows five languages. Does he _____ Chinese?