Is there any difference between
A. Let's speak English
and
B. Let's speak in English
?
Is sentence B bad? If both are okay, and have different meanings, what's the difference in meaning?
A. Let's speak English
and
B. Let's speak in English
?
Is sentence B bad? If both are okay, and have different meanings, what's the difference in meaning?
-- I need to practice for my English conversation lesson.
-- OK. Let's speak English then!
-- I think those people at the next table are listening to what we are saying.
-- In that case, let's speak in English! That way they won't know what we are talking about.
CJ
-- OK. Let's speak English then!
-- I think those people at the next table are listening to what we are saying.
-- In that case, let's speak in English! That way they won't know what we are talking about.
CJ
Comments
Are your sentences not interchangeable?
Aside from examples, can you also describe the difference?
The difference is extremely subtle. speak [language] is a non-contrastive do speaking using [language]. speak in [language] is a contrastive communicate using this method rather than another.
The verb say allows Say it in English, but not *Say it English. So the native speaker associates speak with say more when in English is used. Hence, in the examples I gave above, Let's say it in English so they don't understand us, but not *You need to practice conversation, so let's say English.
I'm winging it here -- just giving my guesses. I don't think there is any reliable rule, but maybe another forum member will weigh in.
CJ