Talk and speak

There is not much difference between speak and talk. Talk is more common than speak and refers to conversational structures.

• We talked for hours. (More natural than We spoke for hours.)

The word speak is mainly used to refer to one-way communication.

• The chairman spoke for about twenty minutes.

This vocabulary exercise tests your ability to use these words correctly.

1. My brother can ………………. six languages.

a) speak

b) talk

c) Either could be used here

2. She was an assertive woman who always ………………….. her mind.

a) spoke

b) talked

c) Either could be used here

3. I phoned your office and ………………… to your secretary.

a) spoke

b) talked

c) Either could be used here

4. He ………………….. about his long battle with cancer.

a) spoke

b) talked

c) Either could be used here

5. You ………………. too much.

a) talk

b) speak

c) Either could be used here

6. She eventually ………………….. her way into a part in that film.

a) talked

b) spoke

c) Either could be used here

7. I tried to ………………… sense into him.

a) talk

b) speak

c) Either could be used here

Answers

1. My brother can speak six languages.

2. She was an assertive woman who always spoke her mind.

3. I phoned your office and spoke/talked to your secretary.

4. He spoke / talked about his long battle with cancer.

5. You talk too much.

6. She eventually talked her way into a part in that film.

7. I tried to talk sense into him.