TELL / SPEAK / SAY / TALK 1 (ESL)
level: Intermediate (B1/B2)Tell, speak, say, and talk are four of the most commonly confused verbs in English. This first exercise practices the most important distinctions between them.
Choose the correct word — say, tell, talk, or speak — to complete each sentence.
1. I didn't hear you. What did you ___________?
Correct answer: say
2. George and I ___________ for three hours.
Correct answer: talked
3. I'm going to ________ to him about this.
Correct answer: BOTH ARE CORRECT
4. I'm going to ________ him the truth.
Correct answer: tell
5. She always knows the right thing to ________.
Correct answer: say
6. Don't ________ to your grandfather in that tone!
Correct answer: speak
7. I ________ her that I loved her.
Correct answer: told
8. She and I ________ all night.
Correct answer: talked
9. Hi, this is Robert. We ________ on the phone last Tuesday.
Correct answer: spoke
10. ___________ up! I can't hear you!
Correct answer: Speak
Communication Conversation Questions
1. How many languages can you speak? Which do you find easiest or hardest?
2. Do you prefer to talk in person, on the phone, or by message? Why?
3. Is there something you find difficult to talk about? Why?
4. Have you ever had to speak in public? How did it go?
5. Who do you talk to most during a typical day?
6. Is there something important you have been meaning to say to someone?
2. Do you prefer to talk in person, on the phone, or by message? Why?
3. Is there something you find difficult to talk about? Why?
4. Have you ever had to speak in public? How did it go?
5. Who do you talk to most during a typical day?
6. Is there something important you have been meaning to say to someone?
More English grammar exercises
Tell/speak/say/talk 1
Tell/speak/say/talk 2
Life/live/living 1
Finish or end? 1
As or like? 1
Lay or lie? 1
Lay or lie? 2
Tell/speak/say/talk 2
Life/live/living 1
Finish or end? 1
As or like? 1
Lay or lie? 1
Lay or lie? 2
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