talk vs speak

Both 'talk' and 'speak' are correct and commonly used in English. They are synonyms, but there are slight differences in usage. 'Talk' is more informal and general, while 'speak' is often used in more formal contexts or when referring to a specific language or topic.

Last updated: March 22, 2024 • 1133 views

The word 'talk' is correct and commonly used in English.

"talk"

Use 'talk' when referring to informal conversations or discussions. It is a general term for communication between people.

Examples:

Let's talk about your plans for the weekend.
I enjoy talking to my friends on the phone.

Show examples from the web [+]

I chatted her seemed willing to talk.
Mickey... trying to talk business with Jane.
Thought maybe we could talk stud fees.
No need to talk during dictation.
Your boy Kemper decided to talk.
Sometimes I wish karma could talk.
Deaf people can talk in sign language.
You got your prisoner to talk.
All this talk, talk, talk.
I'll talk now, I'll talk later, I'll talk tomorrow, I'll talk over lunch, diner, brunch, snack time.
They want to talk, they need to talk.
So we can talk, just talk.
He said he wants to talk, and by "talk" I hope he means talk, not my head in a toilet.
Men like to talk first, they like to talk loudest, they like to talk longest, they have this desperate need to be in control.
No, I can talk. I can talk. I can talk.
The advice I would give to the Commission is to talk, talk and talk again to the industry.
If they want to talk, let them talk.
Just talk talk talk talk talk talk talk talk talk talk talk talk talk.
You meddle and you don't think and you talk talk talk talk talk.
All this holiday talk got me excited about Halloween.

Alternatives:

chat
converse
discuss
communicate
speak with

The word 'speak' is correct and commonly used in English.

"speak"

Use 'speak' when referring to formal conversations, public speaking, or when specifying a language or topic. It is more formal than 'talk'.

Examples:

She will speak at the conference tomorrow.
He speaks English fluently.

Show examples from the web [+]

Prisoners must speak only when spoken to.
One of our sailors could speak rudimentary Vietnamese.
He didn't dare speak up.
Young Edward lives-think now what I would speak.
You speak English, a futured language.
Who defends persecuted speak in Our Office.
Please speak slowly and be precise.
You know Brazilians don't speak Spanish.
How you speak without saying anything.
Acts and actions speak louder than your blood origin.
My sister and her family only speak Quechua.
Only language I speak is American.
Generally, people speak after something like that.
People born in America speak English.
I wondered whether we should speak again.
We just speak different love languages.
Please speak English to the ambassador's secretary.
I speak frequently with the Pope.
I like people who speak openly.
Ambitious Warwick, let thy betters speak.

Alternatives:

address
deliver a speech
talk formally
communicate verbally
converse

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talk vs speak

"talk"

"speak"

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