Speak – English Verbs Conjugation

speak speaks speaking spoke

Speak means to communicate with words, to address an audience, or to be able to use a language. Irregular verb: speak-spoke-spoken.

Meanings

To say words or communicate verbally
To deliver a speech
To be able to use a language

Common Collocations

speak up speak out speak for so to speak speak volumes

Tip for Learners

Speak up means to talk louder or express opinion. Speak volumes means to express a lot without words.

Present Simple

I	speak
you	speak
he/she/it	speaks
we	speak
they	speak

Examples - Present Simple

I speak three languages fluently.
You speak too quietly in meetings.
She speaks French with a beautiful accent.
We speak openly about our feelings.
They speak highly of your work.

Present Continuous

I	am speaking
you	are speaking
he/she/it	is speaking
we	are speaking
they	are speaking

Examples - Present Continuous

I am speaking to the manager right now.
You are speaking too fast for me.
He is speaking at the conference today.
We are speaking about serious matters.
They are speaking in whispers.

Present Perfect

I	have spoken
you	have spoken
he/she/it	has spoken
we	have spoken
they	have spoken

Examples - Present Perfect

I have spoken to her about the issue.
You have spoken enough for one day.
She has spoken to thousands of people.
We have spoken about this before.
They have spoken out against injustice.

Present Perfect Continuous

I	have been speaking
you	have been speaking
he/she/it	has been speaking
we	have been speaking
they	have been speaking

Examples - Present Perfect Continuous

I have been speaking for an hour.
You have been speaking to the wrong person.
He has been speaking about his travels.
We have been speaking on the phone all morning.
They have been speaking to investors.

Past Simple

I	spoke
you	spoke
he/she/it	spoke
we	spoke
they	spoke

Examples - Past Simple

I spoke to him yesterday about the project.
You spoke very well at the presentation.
She spoke with such passion.
We spoke for hours without realising.
They spoke against the proposal.

Past Continuous

I	was speaking
you	were speaking
he/she/it	was speaking
we	were speaking
they	were speaking

Examples - Past Continuous

I was speaking to John when you called.
You were speaking too loudly.
He was speaking about his childhood.
We were speaking when the bell rang.
They were speaking in a foreign language.

Past Perfect

I	had spoken
you	had spoken
he/she/it	had spoken
we	had spoken
they	had spoken

Examples - Past Perfect

I had spoken to her before the meeting.
You had spoken too soon.
She had spoken about leaving for months.
We had spoken about this many times.
They had spoken to the authorities.

Past Perfect Continuous

I	had been speaking
you	had been speaking
he/she/it	had been speaking
we	had been speaking
they	had been speaking

Examples - Past Perfect Continuous

I had been speaking for an hour before they arrived.
You had been speaking to the manager about it.
He had been speaking publicly for years.
We had been speaking on the phone when it died.
They had been speaking about merger plans.

Future Simple

I	will speak
you	will speak
he/she/it	will speak
we	will speak
they	will speak

Examples - Future Simple

I will speak to the director tomorrow.
You will speak when you are ready.
She will speak at the graduation ceremony.
We will speak again soon.
They will speak in favour of the motion.

Future Continuous

I	will be speaking
you	will be speaking
he/she/it	will be speaking
we	will be speaking
they	will be speaking

Examples - Future Continuous

I will be speaking at the event next week.
You will be speaking to a large audience.
He will be speaking on behalf of the company.
We will be speaking to the press tomorrow.
They will be speaking about climate change.

Future Perfect

I	will have spoken
you	will have spoken
he/she/it	will have spoken
we	will have spoken
they	will have spoken

Examples - Future Perfect

I will have spoken to everyone by then.
You will have spoken your mind.
She will have spoken at fifty conferences.
We will have spoken to all stakeholders.
They will have spoken to the committee.

Future Perfect Continuous

I	will have been speaking
you	will have been speaking
he/she/it	will have been speaking
we	will have been speaking
they	will have been speaking

Examples - Future Perfect Continuous

I will have been speaking for two hours.
You will have been speaking professionally for years.
He will have been speaking publicly for decades.
We will have been speaking about this issue.
They will have been speaking to clients all day.