English Vocabulary: Say Tell Speak Talk

English Vocabulary: Say Tell Speak Talk. We use these words in almost every conversation, so let’s learn to use them correctly.

SAY

To speak words
- She said she was coming.
- I know he’s upset because he said so.
To tell someone about something
- The officer refused to say what had happened.
- Did they say where the party is at?
Collocations with say
- 1. Say something
- 2. Say nothing
- 3. Say anything
- 4. Say you are sorry
- 5. Say hello/goodbye
- 6. Say please/thank you
- 7. Say yes/no

To say something to someone
- She told us that the test will be next week.
- They told everyone to go home because the concert was cancelled.
To order someone to do something
- I told you to clean your room.
- She keeps telling us to call Joe, but he’s not picking up.
To give someone information
- My grandpa always tell us stories about when he was younger.
- I told them all about what happened last night.
Collocations with tell
- 1. tell a lie.
- 2. tell a story.
- 3. tell a secret.
- 4. tell a joke.
- 5. tell the truth.
- 6. tell the difference.
- 7. tell the time.
- 8. tell somebody the way.

To say something to someone
- It was really nice talking to you today.
- We were just talking about our plans for the summer.
To discuss something in order to find a solution
- We have agreed to talk.
- They need to talk and come to a solution asap.
To discuss a particular subject
- I really would rather not talk business during lunch.
- We don’t talk politics with my family.
Collocations with talk
- 1. Talk to a friend
- 2. talk with your sister
- 3. talk loudly
- 4. talk properly
- 5. talk about the war
- 6. talk about the weather
- 7. What are you talking about?

To say something using your voice
- Could you speak more quietly please?
- Nobody spoke a word when she came out.
to speak about/of something
- She refused to speak about the merger.
- At the seminar he spoke about his accident.
to be able to communicate in a certain language
- She speaks English really well.
- I spoke German for many years, but I’ve lost a lot of the vocabulary in the last 5 years.
Collocations with speak
- 1. speak directly, indirectly, plainly, clearly
- 2. speak in public
- 3. speak at a meeting, ceremony, event
- 4. speak with an accent
- 5. speak like a native
- 6. speak your mind
- 7. speak the truth

Now that you have read English Vocabulary: Say Tell Speak Talk, have a look at our Vocab Rehab posts:
Vocab Rehab: False Friends – sensible and sensitive
Vocab Rehab: Intensifiers

En la Escuela de Idiomas de la Cámara de Comercio de Álava, tenemos cursos para todos los niveles y necesidades.