Speak比较庄重,表示某人(即讲者)在一段对话中所说的话较其它人多。
举例:
The Principal speaks to us every morning at the assembly.
Tom, your boss wants to speak to you.
Talk不及speak庄重,而且多用于说话,少用于书写。 Talk表示两个或更多的人在对话。
举例:
The students were talking loudly in the classroom, in the very presence of the teacher.
当宾语是一种语言时,要用 speak 不用 talk 或 say:
正确: Victor speaks fluent Putonghua.
错误: Victor talks fluent Putonghua.
错误: Victor says fluent Putonghua.
在书面英语, talk 极少用作及物动词,除非在 talk 后接用以下的宾语:
Stop talking nonsense.
They are talking business again.
若不是接用上列的宾语,talk 后必需接用前置词 about。
举例:
正确: Betty and Susan are talking about the trip to London.
错误: Betty and Susan are talking their trip to London.