English Vocabulary in Use Elementary » Unit 48: Talking

Word List
  • answer
  • ask
  • ask (someone) the time
  • ask (someone) the way
  • ask for
  • ask someone for something
  • ask someone to do something
  • Congratulations
  • Happy Birthday
  • Happy New Year
  • hello
  • How do you say …?
  • Merry Christmas
  • please
  • reply
  • say
  • speak
  • talk
  • tell (someone) a joke
  • tell (someone) a story
  • tell (someone) the time
  • tell someone your address
  • tell someone your name
  • tell someone your phone number
  • Thank you
Exercises

48.1 ‣ Fill the gaps with the correct form of say or tell.

  1. Can you me where the Plaza Hotel is, please?
  2. She _____ me her name.
  3. I _____ goodbye to her.
  4. ‘Please _____ me a story,’ the little boy _____.
  5. ‘Come here!’ the police officer _____.
  6. The teacher _____ her students that they were very good.

48.2 ‣ What do you say?

  1. You want to know if an English friend can help you talk to a Russian person who does not know English.
  2. You want to know the word for ‘tree’ in German.
  3. You want to know the time.
  4. Your course is finished. You want to say goodbye to your teacher.
  5. You want to know when the exam is.
  6. The telephone rings. You are busy cooking food. A friend is watching you. (to your friend)

48.3 ‣ Match the verbs on the left with the words on the right.

  1. say
  2. answer _____
  3. ask for _____
  4. reply to _____
  5. tell _____
  6. talk to _____
  7. ask _____
  8. speak _____
  1. a) an email
  2. b) someone to help you
  3. c) Japanese
  4. d) Happy New Year
  5. e) a friend
  6. f) someone a joke
  7. g) the bill
  8. h) the door

48.4 ‣ Complete the phrases.

  1. (on December 24th or 25th) Christmas!
  2. (you want to pay in a restaurant) Can we have _____, please?
  3. (on the first day of the year) _____ Year!
  4. (small child to parent) _____ a story before I go to sleep. Please!

Answer Key
A ‣ Say (say / said / said)


We use say when we ask about language.

We use say when we report someone’s words.
She said, ‘This is horrible!’
He said that he wanted a drink.

We say hello / goodbye and we say please / thank you / Happy Birthday / Merry Christmas / Happy New Year / Congratulations! /kənɡrætʃəˈleɪʃənz/

B ‣ Tell (tell / told / told)

Tell is usually followed immediately by a person.

Say is not followed immediately by a person.

Tell is oft en used with how and wh- words (when, what, why, where) to find out and give information.

Tell me when you want to have dinner. She told me how to fill in the application form.

You can tell someone the time / a story / a joke / your name / your address / your phone number.

Common mistakes

He told me his name. [NOT He said me his name.]

Common mistakes

Can you tell me where the bus station is, please? [NOT Can you say me … ?]

C ‣ Ask

Ask is used for questions.

My sister asked me where I was going. / My sister asked (me), ‘Where are you going?’

A: Can I ask you a question?
B: Yes.

A: What day of the week were you born?
B: Thursday.

You can ask someone the way / the time.

You can ask somebody to do something and ask someone for something.

I asked him to turn off his radio. (or I said, ‘Please turn off your radio.’)

She asked for the bill. (or She said, ‘Can I have the bill, please?’)

D ‣ Speak / talk / answer / reply

I like talking to you. [having a conversation with you]

Common mistakes

Do you speak Japanese? (used for languages) [NOT Do you talk Japanese?]

Can you answer the telephone / the door, please? [pick up the phone / open the door to see who it is]

Teacher: Who can answer the next question? Joanna?

He didn’t reply to my email. (also used for letters / texts) [he did not send me an email back]

Favorite Books
English Vocabulary in Use Upper-intermediate

The words you need to communicate with confidence. Vocabulary explanations and practice for Upper-intermediate level (B2) learners of English. Perfect for both self-study and classroom activities. Quickly expand your vocabulary with over 100 units of easy to understand explanations and practice exercises.

Read more
English Vocabulary in Use Advanced

The words you need to communicate with confidence. Vocabulary explanations and practice for advanced level (C1 to C2) learners of English. Perfect for both self-study and classroom activities. Quickly expand your vocabulary with over 100 units of easy to understand explanations and practice exercises.

Read more
Table of Contents