Discuss - Speak - Communicate - Debate - Consult
These words all mean to share news, information, ideas or feelings with another person or other people, especially by talking with them.
Talk to speak in order to give information, express feelings or share ideas: We talked on the phone for over an hour.
Discuss (rather formal) to talk and share ideas on a subject or problem with other people, especially in order to decide sth: Have you discussed the problem with anyone? You cannot say ‘discuss about sth’: I’m not prepared to discuss about this on the phone.
Speak to talk to sb about sth; to have a conversation with sb: I’ve spoken to the manager about it. | ‘Can I speak to Susan?’ ‘Speaking.’ (= at the beginning of a telephone conversation)
Communicate (rather formal) to exchange information or ideas with sb: We only communicate by email. | Dolphins use sound to communicate with each other. Communicate is often used when the speaker wants to draw attention to the means of communication used.
Debate to discuss sth, especially formally, before making a decision or finding a solution: Politicians will be debating the bill later this week.
Consult (rather formal) to discuss sth with sb in order to get their permission for sth, or to help you make a decision: You shouldn’t have done it without consulting me.
TALK OR SPEAK?
Speak can suggest a more formal level of communication than talk. You speak to sb about sth to try to achieve a particular goal or to tell them to do sth. You talk to sb in order to be friendly or to ask their advice: Have you talked to your parents about the problems you’re having? | I’ve spoken to Ed about it and he’s promised not to let it happen again.
PATTERNS
*to talk/discuss sth/speak/communicate/debate/ consult with sb
*to talk/speak to sb
*to talk/speak to sb/consult sb about sth
*to talk/speak of sth
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Top Tips Abz Ingles - Notes on usage - Synonyms
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