SAY WORDS

I need to speak to you. I need to talk to you

I need to speak to you
• Formal. It is possible that:
– the speaker does not know you
very well.
– this is in a formal setting, such
as work.
– what the person has to say is
important/serious.
I need to talk to you
• Informal. It is possible that:
-the speaker is your friend.
-the speaker is someone you don’t
know very well, but what they
have to say is informal.
 For more
formal
presentations
and lectures.

On the
telephone

Speak
When we
refer to
languages
Usually only
focuses on the
person who is
producing the
words
 Dr Graham Foster will speak about the history of the region.
For more
formal
presentations
and lectures. A:Is Rita there?
B:Who’s speaking?
A:My name’s Anna. I work with her. On the
Not: Who’s talking?
Hello, can I speak to Laura, please?
telephone

When we How many languages do you speak?

refer to Not: How many languages do you talk?
languages I wish I could speak Italian.
Not: … talk Italian.
Usually only
focuses on the
He spoke about the importance of taking exercise and
person who is
having a good diet. producing the
words
 Talk focuses on a speaker and at least one listener,
and can mean
‘have a conversation

’:

I hope I can meet you to talk about my plans for the company.
Not: I hope I can meet you to speak about my plans …

They can talk and get to know each other over dinner.
Not: They can speak and get to know each other …