動詞speak和 talk 一般都指『say words』, 但在用法上有一些小的差別。Speak比talk更正式。
英語混淆 :
對比:
I need to speak to you.我要和你談談。正式的。有可能:1.– 說話者不太了解你。2.– 這是在正式場合,如工作場合。3.– 此人說的話很重要/很嚴肅。
I need to talk to you.我要和你談談。非正式的。有可能:1.– 說話者是你的朋友。2.– 雖然說話者是你不太了解的人,但他們要說的是非正式的。
我們通常使用 speak進行正式的演講和講座,使用 talk 進行非正式的演講:
Dr Graham Foster will speak about the history of the region.Graham Foster博士將講述這個地區的歷史。
Kyle is going to talk us through the benefits of the software and then Liz will talk about the marketing plan.凱爾會告訴我們軟體的好處,然後利茲會談論營銷計劃。
當我們提到語言時,用 speak:
How many languages do you speak?你會說幾種語言?錯誤: How many languages do you talk?I wish I could speak Italian.錯誤: … talk Italian.
Speak通常重點只集中在說話的人身上:
He spoke about the importance of taking exercise and having a good diet.他談到了鍛鍊和良好飲食的重要性。
Talk重點在於一個說話者和至少一個聽眾,意思是「進行談話」:
I hope I can meet you to talk about my plans for the company.我希望能見到你談談我對公司的計劃。錯誤Not: I hope I can meet you to speak about my plans …
比較
1. He always looks down when he is speaking.
他說話時總是低頭看。
(重點是他用自己的聲音來說話。說話的重點只放在說話的人身上。)
2. I was talking to Maria yesterday.
我昨天在和瑪麗亞談話。
(重點是在與別人交談。)
電話交談用speak :
A:Is Rita there?B:Who’s speaking?A:My name’s Anna. I work with her.錯誤: Who’s talking?Hello, can I speak to Laura, please?
Speak 和 talk 後的介詞
我們通常在 speak和 talk之後加介詞to。比較正式的場合,人們有時會使用with:
1. I need to speakto you about this conference next week.下周我要和你談談這次的會議。2. I was talking to Richard Moss the other day about the golf club.前幾天我和Richard聊了聊高爾夫俱樂部的事。3. May I speak with you for a moment? (相當正式)我可以和你談一會兒嗎?
常見錯誤表
談論外語時不使用 talk :I can speak German and Spanish.Not: I can talk German and Spanish.
重點在交談時不使用 speak :They can talk and get to know each other over dinner.他們可以邊吃晚飯邊聊天,互相了解。Not: They can speak and get to know each other …