Speak can mean use your voice, converse or use a language.
The idea
Say speak English for a language, speak to or speak with someone, and speak about a topic. The past is spoke and the participle is spoken.
Examples
- She speaks English and Spanish.
- Could you speak more slowly, please?
- I spoke to the teacher after class.
- We spoke about the new plan.
- Have you spoken with the doctor?
- He speaks clearly on the phone.
Read-aloud uses a synthetic English voice on your device. Quality and availability vary; it does not assess pronunciation.
No English device voice is available. You can still read the examples.
Watch out
Speak to and speak with can both introduce a conversation partner; use about to name the topic.
Try it yourself
Choose the past form. Yesterday I ___ to the teacher. (spoke / speaked)
Show answer or example answer
spoke
Spoke is the past form of speak.
Choose the word introducing the topic. Our topic was the plan: we spoke ___ the plan. (about / with)
Show answer or example answer
about
About introduces the topic of conversation.
Choose the natural language expression. Which naturally states a language someone can use? (She speaks English. / She speaks to English.)
Show answer or example answer
She speaks English.
Speak English names the language directly.
Practice round
Answer questions and rebuild English sentences to practise. Your score is shown.
Choose the past form. Yesterday I ___ to the teacher. (spoke / speaked)
Choose the word introducing the topic. Our topic was the plan: we spoke ___ the plan. (about / with)
Choose the natural language expression. Which naturally states a language someone can use? (She speaks English. / She speaks to English.)
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Keep your progress
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Ask someone to speak more slowly, then say which language you speak.