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Vocabulary Exercise: Say, tell, speak, talk

These four verbs can cause problems for English learners. Practise using them in the quiz below!

Level: Pre-intermediate and above

1. So then Melissa __ ''I hate doing homework!''

said
spoke
told
We use the verb ''say'' in both direct and indirect English. We follow it with the words that the person spoke. For example: He said, ''How are you?'' (direct speech) or ''He said that he was happy.'' (indirect speech)

2. He __ his brother that he wanted an ice-cream.

said
spoke
told
You tell someone (something). After the verb ''tell'' often comes the person. For example, he told me, he told his teacher. If we report the conversation, we can use ''that'': ''He told his teacher that he didn't understand.''

3. He didn't __ anything to me!

say
speak
tell
Remember: you ''tell someone something'' or ''say (something) to someone''.

4. I think you need to __ something to the police about what you saw last night.

say
speak
tell
We say something / say a lot; or we don't say anything / don't say much.

5. His teacher __ him to study for the exam.

said
spoke
told
We use ''tell'' for reported commands. ''Study for the exam!'' = She told him to study for the exam.

6. How many languages can you __ ?

say
speak
talk
We ''speak'' a language.

7. What are you two __ about?

saying
talking
telling
We generally use the verb ''talk'' when we refer to conversations. For example, ''They're always talking together in class'' or ''Nobody ever talks to strangers on public transport!'' You can ''talk to'' or ''talk with'' another person.

8. ''Can we __?''

say
tell
talk
If you want a conversation with another person, you can say ''Can we talk?'' The verb ''talk'' doesn't need an object. For example, ''Let's talk!''. You can also ''talk about'' something. ''I'd like to talk about the summer holiday.''

9. ''Can I __ to you in private?'' Lucy asked her boss.

speak
talk
tell
We often use ''speak'' for more formal situations, or for more formal subjects of conversation.

10. I can't trust John. He never __ the truth.

says
talks
tells
You ''tell the truth'' or ''tell a lie''.

11. He __ a funny story about living in Paris.

said
spoke
told
You can also tell a story or tell a joke.

12. How do you __ ''bread'' in Italian?

say
speak
tell
Remember: we say a word.

13. They're always ___ politics!

saying
speaking
talking
There are some expressions with ''talk'', such as ''talk business'', ''talk shop'' or ''talk politics''.

14. Fran: ''Mr Jones is so difficult to work with!''
Mel: '' __ about it!''

Say
Speak
Tell
''Tell me about it!'' = when you agree with a person because you also have the same experience. (In this example, Mel also understands that Mr Jones is difficult to work with, because she has also had problems with him.)

15. Can you __ up, please? I can't hear you.''

say
speak
talk
Speak up = speak more loudly.

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1 thought on “Vocabulary Exercise: Say, tell, speak, talk”

Glenn
May 23rd 2017 at 06:08

Very useful to learn.

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Speak English Fluently!

1 thought on “Vocabulary Exercise: Say, tell, speak, talk”

Get Fluent In 2021!

– 2 complete fluency programs – Live group speaking lessons – Weekly challenges in our private group + Special bonus: 2 personal lessons

Join the English Fluency Club NOW

– 2 complete fluency programs
– Live group speaking lessons
– Weekly challenges in our private group
+ Special bonus: 2 personal lessons