English · A1 · verb · 4 minutes
Speak: present tense
Use speak/speaks with languages, people, and topics.
Understand the choice
Speak can take a language directly, speak to/with a person, and speak about a topic. Talk overlaps but is often more conversational.
Core rule: Speak adds -s with he/she/it; language names take no article in general statements.
Notice it in context
I speak English, and my neighbor speaks French.
Hablo inglés y mi vecino habla francés.
Speak agrees with I; speaks agrees with singular neighbor; language names are capitalized.
Does she speak to the manager every day?
Is speaking with the manager her daily activity?
Does carries third-person; speak stays base.
We speak about the new course at lunch.
The new course is our lunch conversation topic.
Speak about introduces topic; we takes base form.
What to remember
- Languages and nationalities are capitalized: English, French.
- Speak to can sound one-directional; speak with emphasizes exchange.
Common trap: Do not use speaks after does.