英语中有四个单词,都涉及到”说“,它们是 say,tell,talk 和 speak;虽然它们意思相近,但是用法截然不同,基本上不能互换使用。 一、say Say 是最普通用词,最常用于直接和间接言语,后面通常不接表示人的宾语,意为“说,讲,告诉”,指用语言表达思想,侧重于所说的具体内容,例如: She said (that) she would be late.她说她要迟到了。 She said (that) it was my last chance.她说这是我最后的机会。 He said (that) his name was Sam.他说他叫萨姆。 当 say 要接表示人的宾语时,在 say 后面用介词 to 来引出告诉的对象,且有的时候用 that 引出要表达的信息,例如: He said to Steve that he was going to be late.他对史蒂夫说他要迟到了。 'Keep your temper,' he said to himself. “别生气。”他暗暗告诉自己。 二、tell 1. Tell 是普通用词,指直接给某人讲述或以间接的方式转述某事,通常指通过说或写的方式,常接双宾语或复合宾语;可以用于直接和间接言语,后面必须接宾语,相当于 instruct 或 inform,意为“告诉,告知”,例如: He told everybody (that) he saw the news.他逢人便讲这个消息。 I told you about the party.我告诉过你派对的事。 Have you told him the news?你告诉他这个消息了吗? 'I'm ready to go now,’ he told her.“我准备走了。”他对她说。 2. Tell 有时含嘱托、命令之意,常用于结构 tell sb to do sth 中,例如: Tom’s mother told him to clean his room.汤姆的妈妈叫他打扫房间。 He was told to sit down and wait.有人吩咐他坐下等着。 Do what I tell you.你要照我的吩咐做。 Didn’t I tell you to mind your own business?我不是告诉过你别管闲事吗? 3. Tell 不能与类似 a word,a name,a sentence 和 a phrase 等短语连用,例如: 爱丽丝说了一句调皮的话。✔: Alice said a naughty word. ❌: Alice told a naughty word. 4. 当涉及一个事实时,通常 it 不能与 tell 连用,例如: 我明天告诉你。✔: I’ll tell you tomorrow.❌: I’ll tell you it tomorrow.三、talk Talk 是普通用词,常用于指非正式的交流。 1. 用作不及物动词时,侧重指与人交谈时的连续说话,可指单方面较长谈话,因此在口语中常跟进行时连用,强调说话的动作而非内容,例如: When she walked into the room everybody stopped talking.当她走进房间时,大家都不说话了。 I don't understand what you're talking about.我不懂你在说什么。 2. 用作及物动词时,sense,nonsense,business 或 rubbish 等,例如: Now let's talk business. 现在咱们谈正事。 He's talking nonsense.他在胡说八道。 3. Talk 常跟介词 to 或 with 连用来引出交谈的对象,且有的时候用 about 引出具体的内容,例如: I need to talk to you about last night.我要和你谈谈昨晚的事。 Did he talk to you about his trip?他跟你谈过他的旅行吗? 四、speak 1. Speak 作不及物动词时,侧重的是说话的动作而非内容,可指长篇演讲或三言两语的交谈,也可指简单的开口说话的能力,例如: After she had finished reading the letter, nobody spoke.她读完信后,没有人说话。 He spoke at the meeting.他在会议上发言了。 2. Speak 作及物动词时,其宾语常为某种语言,例如: Can you speak Chinese?你会说汉语吗? She speaks three languages fluently.她能流利地说三种语言。 3. Speak 常跟介词 to/with 连用来引出说话的对象,且有的时候用 about 引出具体的内容,例如: I've spoken to the manager about it.那件事我已经和经理谈过了。 Did you speak to him about our new project?你和他谈过我们的新项目了吗? 五、四者的区别 1. Say 和 tell 能用于间接或直接引语中,而 talk 和 speak 不能. 2. 表达侧重说话内容的用 say,且后面常不接表示人的宾语;侧重说话动作的用 tell 或 speak,其中 tell 后面必须接宾语。 3. 谈论语言时,只用 speak. 4. 当后面必须接表示人的宾语时,只用 tell,若其他要接表示人的宾语,则用介词 to 或 with 引出对象。 5. 表示命令或嘱咐时,只用 tell,不用其他的。 六、常犯的错误 1. say 后面不能直接跟表示人的宾语,例如: 他告诉我他必须离开。✔: He told me that he had to leave.❌: He said me that he had to leave. 2. 虽然 talk 和 speak 都侧重说话的动作,但是 talk 后面不能跟表示语言的宾语,例如: 我不会说中文。✔: I don’t speak Chinese.❌: I don’t talk Chinese.