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ESL forum >
Ask for help > Speak to or Speak with?
Speak to or Speak with?
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patty39
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Speak to or Speak with?
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Dear American teachers, I have a doubt:
Which form is more common in The USA: "speak to sb" or "speak with sb"?
Tks in advance!
Patricia |
19 Aug 2009
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Zora
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I �d have to say "speak to" ... but I �m only Canadian so I can �t say for sure.
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19 Aug 2009
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_babz
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I �m not American, but Canadian English is the same..
I �d say both are acceptable
I �m speaking to someone = I �m telling them something
�Are you listening? I �m speaking to you! �
I �m speaking with someone = I �m having a conversation
�with � the listener will actively participate in the conversation
�I �m on the phone, I �m speaking with someone. �
anyway, that �s how I see it..
good luck |
19 Aug 2009
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shroffpriti
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I �d say Speak with when I am having a conversation with an equal. Usually a superior ( Boss and the like would "speak to " me) |
19 Aug 2009
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patty39
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Thank you very much! Now I can really see the difference between them!
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19 Aug 2009
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libertybelle
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How about I �d like to have a word with you? *S*
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19 Aug 2009
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**********
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Dear Patty,
I saw your post in the morning; since it was specifically addressed and I�m not American, I didn �t respond. Now that other people cared enough to answer, I would say in my own words:
Speak to - unidirectional, meaning someone is addressing other, but doesn �t expect to get a response; the communication situation is monological. In other words, it�s expected, by the speaker, to be a monologue.
Speak with - is a bidirectional, dialogical communication situation, in other words, a dialogue.
Have, you all, a good day.
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19 Aug 2009
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mr.dgdln
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as far as I know
if you say " I �m speaking with you" it means you �re near me when I �m talking to someone else.
if you say "I �m speaking to you" it means you are adressing the one you are talking to. |
19 Aug 2009
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douglas
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Tbabz explained it very well!
Douglas (native speaker) |
19 Aug 2009
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rnrlisa
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Yes, Tbabz wrote the difference very clearly:-) |
19 Aug 2009
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