SAY

1. to say something using spoken or written words; “It’s getting late”, she said. You should write to the bank and say you need more time. He’s been saying for weeks that he’s going to repair that plug.

Say what \ where \ why The chairman started by saying why he had called the meeting.

Say hello \ goodbye \ sorry He came to say goodbye.

Say a word \ a few words about I’d like to say a few words about our weekend programme.

2. to use particular words in order to express what you mean or think; Mary wasn’t sure how to say that she didn’t want to see him any more. “Don’t let me keep you” is just a polite way of saying that you want someone to leave. How do you say “Good morning” in Italian?

3. to say something in an indirect way, used especially when you are asking someone what the real meaning of a statement is; What do you think the writer is saying in this story? Are you saying I’m fat? So, what you’re saying, Mr. President, is that taxes may have to rise.

4. to say that you have got some information by hearing people say something ( especially something surprising or shocking )

they say They say that her husband is in prison for killing a man.

people say People say he is confined to a wheelchair because the surgeon made a mistake, but I don’t believe it.

so they sayused at the end of a statement, or in reply to a statement, to show that you’re not sure whether it is true

The nightclub burnt down and shots were heard, or so they say.

5. to say something to a number of people, especially in public, in order to give them information or make clear your opinions;

President said in an interview that he had no intention of resigning.

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say speak tell talk

It says here that the tunnel will be open at the end of 1994.

6. to pronounce something ( spoken English ) How do you say this word? I’m not sure if I can say this name – it’s very unusual.

TALK

1. to say things to someone, especially in a conversation;

talk to sb. Don’t talk to strangers. I can’t hear anyone when you all talk at

once. You shouldn’t talk with your mouth full.

talk about Vic finds it easy to talk about his feelings. I haven’t the faintest idea what you’re talking

about.2. to talk to someone about a particular subject, especially about a serious matter that needs to be settled;

talk to sb. I can’t make a decision until I’ve talked to my wife.

talk about If someone brings me a problem, we just sit down and quietly talk about it.

3. to have a conversation;

talk to sb. It’s been nice talking to you.

talk about. We talked about what we did when we were children.

talk politics \ sport etc. Whenever we meet Veronica we always seem to end up talking politics.

4. to make an informal speech about a particular subject to a group of people for example at a meeting or on the radio;

give sb. a talk Mr. Jarvis agreed to give a talk to the Gardening Club.

give a talk on something I remember giving her a radio talk on the Women’s Movement in North America.

give sb. a talk Dr. Cookson gave us a very interesting talk on her recent visit to Japan.

5. to talk too much about other people’s private lives and behaviour, usually in a disapproving way;

We mustn’t be seen together in public again. People are starting to talk.

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6. to talk to yourself; I think he’s crazy – he doesn’t realize that he talks to himself all the time. When Betty’s concentrating on a difficult piece of work she has this habit of talking to

herself.

TELL

1. to give someone facts or information by speaking to them or writing to them;

tell sb. We were told that the manager wanted to see us in his office immediately.

tell sb. what \ where \ who Just be honest and tell me how much you think I weigh.

tell sb. sth. I want you to tell me all the details.

tell sb. about She said that she had already told them about.

2. to tell sb. a story; We used to gather round & listen to him telling wonderful stories. You said you would tell me a story if I was good.

3. to say that a book, notice etc. provides people with information about something;

tell sb. how \ what \ where This leaflet tells you how to avoid catching AIDS

tell sb. The two dials in the middle tell you the airspeed & altitude.

4. to tell someone in authority ( especially a parent or a teacher ) about something wrong that someone has done;

- You’re not allowed in the classroom during the lunch hour.- I’m telling.

tell on Please, don’t tell on me. Mum thinks I’ve been staying at my friend’s house.

5. to tell someone something that should be kept secret;

tell sb. where \ what \ who He couldn’t tell me where he got this information.

tell sb. about Don’t tell anyone about this.

tell used especially by children

You’d better not tell, or you’ll be in big trouble.

6. to tell sb. that they must do sth;

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tell sb. “Wait here”, he told the children.

tell sb. to do sth. I thought I told you to be in bed, by 10 o’clock.

tell sb. what to do I’m in charge here, & I’m not going to have anyone telling me what to do.

SPEAK

1. to use your voice to produce words; She opened her mouth to speak. He has a throat infection that prevents him from speaking.

speak to sb. John! John! Speak to me. Are you all right?

2. to be able to speak a particular language; Can you speak German? We’ll have to find someone who speaks English.

3. to talk to someone about a particular subject especially about a serious matter that needs to be settled;

speak to sb. about I intend to speak to the manager about the way I have been treated.

Have you spoken to Michael about your problem?

4. to make a formal speech; If we have a company dinner we’ll have to have someone to speak. Speaking to Congress, the President appealed for co-operation in tackling the budget

deficit.

EXERCISES

Fill in the gaps with say, tell, speak, talk in the correct form:

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1. Don’t believe anything he … .2. I intend to … to the manager about the way I have been treated.3. We were … our childhoods and realized we both went to the same school.4. I’d just like to … a few words about schedule.5. Don’t … me you’ve forgotten my birthday again.6. I have … I’m sorry – what more do you want.7. Diana’s been invited to … at the annual conference.8. I can’t stand it when they … politics.9. When I was young my father … me stories about the war.10. Could you … a little louder please?11. ( Use negative. ) … me how to behave in public.12. Mom says we’re not allowed to … to strangers.13. It … in the paper that there were no survivors.14. At 12.00 tomorrow Mrs. Elliot will be … about the best way to cultivate roses.15. The baby is just learning to … .16. It … in the instructions how much you should use?17. The sports club rules … that sports shoes must be worn in the gym at all times.18. All the hostages were … that they had to lie on the floor.19. I’m going to … if you don’t stop messing around.20. I don’t think he should be …, it might upset him too much.21. Sally would like to … to you for a minute.22. If you promise not to … on me I’ll put the money back where I found it.

Part 2 EXPRESSIONSWITH SAY, SPEAK, TELL, TALK

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SAY

1. say yes \ no Can I go, Mum? Oh please, say yes. 2. say so - Do you think they are happy?

- I wouldn’t say so3. say your piece say what you want to say

Ok, you’ve said your piece – now shut up.

4. say a prayer \ say your prayers to say a fixed set of words that form a prayer

We could hear the priest at the altar saying a prayer.

When I was a child, I had to say my prayers every night.

5. say no more used to show that you understand what someone means, although it has not been said directly

- I saw him leaving her flat at 6.30 this morning.- Say no more!

6. say the wordused to tell someone they have only to ask you & you will do what they want

Just say the word and I’ll get rid of her.

7. say what you like used when giving an opinion that you are sure is correct, even if a person you are talking to might disagree with you

Say what you like, she’s a very good mother.

SPEAK

1. speak in favour of \ against support or oppose

Only one MP spoke against the bill.

2. speaking as a parent \ teacher \ democrat etc.

Speaking as a parent I’d like to see more discipline in school.

3. speak well \ badly \ ill of say good or bad things about someone

It’s wrong to speak ill of the dead.

4. speak highly of praise someone

All the former patients speak highly of Dr.Seal.

5. speak your mind tell people exactly what you think even, if it offends them

She is very direct, the kind of a person who believes in speaking their mind.

6. generally \ personally \ technically \ roughly \ broadly speaking

Generally speaking, rural schools provide a better environment for the students.

TELL

1. tell a joke \ secret \ lie Pat told them a joke about two flies walking on the ceiling and everybody laughed.

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Can I tell you a secret? Whenever she told a lie, she felt guilty afterwards.

2. tell the truth If Dan is telling the truth, the others are in danger.3. tell sb. straighttell someone the true facts or your true feelings

I told her straight I wasn’t coming.

4. tell the time Can you tell me the time?5. tell sb. one’s name Tell me your name and address.6. tell sb. the way Could you tell me the quickest way to Manchester?7. tell sb. soused when you have warned someone about a possible danger that has now happened and they have ignored your warning

I told you so.

8. tell one’s fortune She paid 100 $ to have her fortune told.9. tell the difference Margarine and butter? I can’t tell the difference.10. tell sth. from sth. Amateurs may be unable to tell fake from the

original painting.

TALK

1. talk senseto give sensible opinions about things

He is a little old-fashioned but he talks a lot of sense.

2. talk rubbish \ nonsense \ crab

used to tell someone that what they are saying is silly and completely wrong

- Mr. Smith, our office is too cold.- Don’t talk such rubbish. I suppose you’ re looking for an excuse to avoid work.

Fill in the gaps with say, tell, speak, talk in the correct form:

1. Can you … what time the film starts?2. I promise to … the truth, the whole truth & nothing but the truth.

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3. Ruth …her prayers & went to bed.4. Sometimes it’s hard to … one twin from another.5. Stop … such rubbish. It’s incredible.6. I’ll put our complaints to the management – I’m not afraid to … my mind.7. … what you like, I’m not going to change my viewpoint.8. Do you think he is trustworthy? I wouldn’t … so.9. Can you … my fortune?10. I suppose he’s really pleased with his new secretary he always … highly of her skills.11.Personally … I can’t agree with you.12.… sense. We are wasting time.13.She … good morning as he came into the office.14.He used to … his children a story every night.15.Mr. Smith … in favour of tax reform yesterday.16.… the word and I’ll do away with him.17. I guess I’ll … him straight that I’m not going to marry him.18.You have …your piece. Now I’d like to … my mind.

Ex.2. Fill in the gaps with say, tell, speak, talk in the correct form:

A ‘This sugar-free chocolate is delicious’ 1)…… Sandra. I can’t 2)……the difference between this chocolate and the one containing sugar.’ ‘I like it, too’ 3) …… Mark. ‘I wish someone had 4) ……me about it sooner. I could have lost so much weight!’ ‘To 5)…… you the truth, I don’t think you should lose weight,’ 6) …… Sandra. ‘I like you just the way you are,’ she 7) …… him.

B ‘I saw Paul in town today’, Steve 1) ……Louise. ‘I 2) …… good afternoon to him and I noticed that he’d had his hair cut. I should have 3) …… something about it, but it looked awful, so I didn’t mention it.’ ‘You did the right thing’, Louise 4) …… him. It’s better to 5) …... nothing than to 6) ……a lie.’

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C At Alison’s wedding reception, her father stood up and 1) ……the guests that he would like to 2) ……a few words. He started to 3) …… a story about when Alisonwas young. Alison felt embarrassed, but she didn’t 4) …… so. Then, her father 5) …… the guests somejokes, which everyone found very funny. Finally, he6)…… a prayer for the happy couple.

КЕУ Part 1 Ex. 1.

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1. says 7. speak 13.said 19. tell2. speak 8. talk 14. talking 20. told3. talking 9. told 15.speak 21.speak4. say 10.speak 16.Does it say 22. tell5. tell 11.Don’t tell 17.say6. said 12. talk 18. told

Part 2 Ex. 1.1. tell 7. say 13.said2. tell 8. say 14. tell3. said 9. tell 15.spoke4. tell 10.speaks 16.Say5. talking 11.speaking 17. tell6. speak 12.Talk 18.Said, speak

Ex. 2.A 1. said B 1. told C 1. told 2. tell 2. said 2. say 3. said 3. said 3. tell 4. told 4. told 4. say 5. tell 5. say 5. told 6. said 6. tell 6. said 7. told

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