Can you hear what he is...

[Baazit]

saying

[Petkovic]

@Alan

@Bob

Hello everyone and Alan,

The options are:
(a) saying
(b) speaking
(c) telling
(d) talking

I was wondering if someone could summarize the differences among these similar words. Is it absolutely impossible to use a word other than the correct one? How does the native speakers feel if I use the wrong word?

Hi Bob,

Just to add something to what Torsten has said, I have made a sentence which icludes these 4 verbs, which you may find useful:

As I was SAYING (using words to describe something) before you came in the room, I was TELLING the others (informing them/this verb usually has an object) about John who is SPEAKING (giving a speech) tonight at the club and we were TALKING (having a conversation) about the possibility of going to listen to him.

Best wishes

Alan

Dear Alan, I appreciate your explanation. Thanks!

[Mayablack]

when i look better i can see the diferent

[273_Inh_Ng_7885_c_Hu]

i think an indirect question hasn’t “?”. it’s true or false? thank you so much!

[Waleed24]

hi
this is my firt post here in this forum, I hope to make friends , learn and gain alot of informations with other members

also i would like to thank Mr.Torsten for his offert

best wishes

[Shopgirl]

Hello Torsten,

Test No. incompl/elem-1 “Speaking already”, question 1

Can you hear what he is …?

(a) saying
(b) speaking
© telling
(d) talking

Test No. incompl/elem-1 “Speaking already”, answer 1

Can you hear what he is saying?

Correct answer: (a) saying

I answered correctly all the questions and scored 9 out of 10 except this one
What if I say – Can you hear what he is talking?
Why there should be saying?

[Beeesneees]

Talking is incorrect here.

‘SPEAK’ is mainly used when somebody is ‘speaking’ and somebody else is listening.
He spoke for two hours.
The lecturer spoke about economics.

or ‘speak’ = ‘making or creating’ words
Please could you speak more slowly?
I speak English and Spanish.

TALK is mainly used in ‘conversation’ between people.
I met a friend and we talked about our lives.
Listen, I’d like to talk to you about something.

[Usfa]

hi,
me complete my todays test so i wnt next , but i want to learn step by step with proper sequiance. this was a great experiance for me to leran frm you ,keep it up.thanx

[Cass]

Hello Torsten,

Im very glad in this first lesson, I need to learn more…
Can’t wait for the next one…

Shienna

[Isha1]

if “speaking” refers to a speech being given …than why isin’t it applicable?? i think it can be used in case the backseaters are not to able to hear the speech . Am i right or wrong?

[Beeesneees]

No, speaking does not fit into this context.
You don’t hear or listen to what someone is speaking.
You hear or listen to what someone is saying.

[Sheelan]

dPlease listen to my recording and respond with a voice message too. Many thanks.

[Chika]

Hi Alan, great explanation. Thank you very much.

[Hitesh_Jogani]

hi Torsten
i agree with u. so teach me step by step

thanks
hitesh from india

[Rokastero]

thanks a lot, this is very useful to me.
I want to know, why I have to use hear instead of listen.

[Beeesneees]

This question has been asked many times.
There is a very useful search function at the top of this webpage.
If you type the words
hearing listening
into the Google search box at the top of this page, then click on the ‘Forum search’ button (not the Google search button), then you will see a list of threads where this topic has already been discussed.
They should help you.

[Duet062010]

I really feel difficult.

[Nabaraj]

Hello,
Please advice if you wish to hold the bookings.

Is the above sentence correct or there should be advise instead of advice.

Thank you

[Beeesneees]

Please advise if you wish to hold the bookings.