ESL General English Grammar Questions

Re: choice of speak vs. talk

Grammar Geek — Tue, 06 May 2008 02:12:01 GMT

So I suppose you don't talk a blue streak or talk up a storm?

Re: choice of speak vs. talk

Anonymous — Mon, 05 May 2008 23:06:17 GMT

The main thing to remember is that while 'speak' may or may not take a direct object, 'talk' never does. I can say "I speak English," but not, "I talk English." On the other hand, I could either 'speak' or 'talk' to my friend. In this case, it's merely context that determines which one to use: 'speaking' is generally a one-way communication while 'talking' implies a conversation or discussion of sorts. Hope that helps!

Re: choice of speak vs. talk

Marius Hancu — Sat, 29 Apr 2006 01:09:19 GMT

check this reference:

http://www.longman.com/ae/azar/grammar_ex/message_board/archive/
select and click on "Say"
click on "Say, tell, speak, talk"
click here [in the bottom part of the text]

Re: choice of speak vs. talk

Anonymous — Wed, 28 Dec 2005 23:29:14 GMT

Speak and talk have almost the same meaning.
In general, "speak" is used for one person and "talk" is used for conversations, or potential conversations.
This is a general rule. You should still say "Shut up when i'm talking!"

Re: choice of speak vs. talk

nona the brit — Sat, 24 Dec 2005 08:37:38 GMT

The more I looked at these the more confused I became as I was coming up with lots of contradictory examples with different answers for different contexts. Not a simple issue.

Re: choice of speak vs. talk

Danyoo — Fri, 23 Dec 2005 23:59:23 GMT

Donoto wrote:

Could you comment (idiomatic/not idiomatic, different meanings, etc) on the choice of speak/talk in the following sentences?

(1)   Who did this? Now, speak/talk to me!

Someone speak up!: would be most appropriate.

Speak to me: It doesn't sound quite right.

Talk to me: It implies that I want to have a conversation with you.

(2)   He hesitated, and then spoke/talked.

Spoke is correct.

Or you can say: He hesitated, and then we talked.

(3)   Itâs ridiculous that nobody got a raise this season. As a union representative, Iâll go and speak/talk to the manager.

In the U.S. we say talk in this situation, but speak would be okay to.

(4)   You donât understand. Letâs speak/talk.

Talk is correct. Speak is more of a one-way communication.

(5)   He spoke/talked in front of a crowd of angry commuters.

Spoke is correct.

(6)   The professor spoke/talked about the ecology of the lake.

Either is okay. I would be more inclined to say the professor spoke about... Whereas, I'd say we talked about (discussed) the topic of...

(7)   Donât speak/talk to me like that.

Talk.

(8)   We spent hours speaking/talking about our childhood.

Talking.

A related question: Basically, to speak as opposed to talk sounds more generic, meaning to utter words, not necessarily telling stories or engaging in conversations. If thatâs true, how come:

I think 'speak' is a little more formal, and 'talk' is used to describe two way conversations.

(9) When did the baby begin to talk?

is more idiomatic than

(10)   When did the baby begin to speak?

Or am I wrong about (9) and (10)?

You are correct. A baby does not give a formal speech. But a baby can begin to engage in a conversation by responding to simple questions like "what is your name?"

choice of speak vs. talk

Donoto — Fri, 23 Dec 2005 09:27:48 GMT

Could you comment (idiomatic/not idiomatic, different meanings, etc) on the choice of speak/talk in the following sentences?

(1) Who did this? Now, speak/talk to me!

(2) He hesitated, and then spoke/talked.

(3) Itâs ridiculous that nobody got a raise this season. As a union representative, Iâll go and speak/talk to the manager.

(4) You donât understand. Letâs speak/talk.

(5) He spoke/talked in front of a crowd of angry commuters.

(6) The professor spoke/talked about the ecology of the lake.

(7) Donât speak/talk to me like that.

(8) We spent hours speaking/talking about our childhood.

A related question: Basically, to speak as opposed to talk sounds more generic, meaning to utter words, not necessarily telling stories or engaging in conversations. If thatâs true, how come:

(9) When did the baby begin to talk?

is more idiomatic than

(10) When did the baby begin to speak?

Or am I wrong about (9) and (10)?