Talk To vs Talk With
What’s the difference between them?
Talk To
Meaning:
when one person talks directly to another or to the audience; usually means a one-sided conversation.
Examples:
1. I need to talk to my supervisor about my work schedule.
2. It was nice to talk to you after all this time.
3. My parents always want me to talk to them about my problems.
Talk With
Meaning:
when a person or a group talks with others; usually means a conversation among peers.
Examples:
1. We have to talk with each other to work out any misunderstandings.
2. I need to talk with my parents about my future plans.
3. Let's talk with the teacher about the assignment.
Learn similar and opposite words to spot the difference
Synonyms
Antonyms
Talk To
Speak to
Ignore
Talk With
Converse with
communicate with
Ignore
Tricks for mastery
Useful tips to understand the difference between confusing words "Talk To", "Talk With".
1. 'Talk to' implies that one person is telling something to another person.
2. 'Talk with' implies that two or more people are having a conversation.
3. A mnemonic to remember the distinction between 'talk to' and 'talk with' is: 'Talk TO someone when you Tell them something, Talk WITH people when you have a conversation'.
Practice English with the Promova app and avoid misusing confusing words
Frequently asked questions
When to use the first word 'Talk To'?
The phrase 'talk to' is used when speaking to someone who you want to address, impart knowledge to, or give directions to. It is used when you are trying to talk to someone in a position of authority or influence. For example, you might say, 'I need to talk to my boss about a salary increase'.
When to use the second word 'Talk With'?
The phrase 'talk with' is used to converse with someone in an intimate or friendly manner. It implies a certain level of mutual understanding and camaraderie. For example, you might say, 'Let's have a chat and talk with each other about our plans for the future.'
Do the words have the same pronunciation?
No, they are pronounced differently, depending on the preposition.
What are common mistakes associated with words 'Talk To', 'Talk With'?
One of the most common mistakes associated with these words is using the wrong one in a sentence. Even though the words are similar in meaning, they are used for different situations. Another mistake is mispronouncing the words. For example, some people may mistakenly say 'talk toe' instead of 'talk to' or 'talk wiff' instead of 'talk with'. Making sure to pronounce the words correctly is important to avoid confusion.
Fill in the gaps to check yourself
1. I like to ___ my friends on the phone every weekend.
2. I can ___ my family in English, but it is much easier for me to use my native language.
3. My parents prefer to ___ me face to face.
4. I love to ___ my classmates about our lessons.
5. My teacher always encourages us to ___ each other in class.
6. I feel the most comfortable when I can ___ someone in my native language.
1. talk with.
Explanation: The phrase talk with is more appropriate here because it conveys two-way communication. Talk to is typically used when there is only one-way communication.
2. talk to.
Explanation: Talk to is more appropriate here because it conveys a one-way communication.
3. talk with.
Explanation: The phrase talk with is more appropriate here because it conveys two-way communication. Talk to is typically used when there is only one-way communication.
4. talk with.
Explanation: The phrase talk with is more appropriate here because it conveys two-way communication. Talk to is typically used when there is only one-way communication.
5. talk to.
Explanation: Talk to is more appropriate here because it conveys a one-way communication.
6. talk with.
Explanation: The phrase talk with is more appropriate here because it conveys two-way communication. Talk to is typically used when there is only one-way communication.
Get a gift by subscribing to our newsletter!
Download the PDF with a list of commonly confused words made as flashcards for comfortable learning.
List of Commonly Confused Words
Finding your way around the English language can be hard, especially since there are so many confusing words and rules. So, a list of the most confusing words in English is an extremely useful tool for improving language accuracy and sharing the ideas clearly.