Say, Tell, Speak or Talk?

All four verbs are about using words, but each one follows its own pattern.

• say + the words: say hello, say sorry, say no, What did she say? Never put a person directly after say.
• tell + a person: tell me, tell your friends. It is also used in fixed phrases: tell a story, tell the truth, tell a lie, tell a joke, tell the time, tell the difference.
• speak for languages, for how someone uses their voice, and in set phrases: speak English, speak up, speak your mind, strictly speaking.
• talk for conversation: small talk, talk nonsense, talk in your sleep, talk someone into something.

Past forms: said, told, spoke, talked.