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English vocabulary - Ways of speaking

Terms in this set (37)

May I speak to George?
make use of words in a normal voice
What are they talking about?
speak to give information, say things.
He hesitated before answering my question.
be slow to speak (or act) because one is uncertain or unwilling to talk.
She whispered the secret word in my ear.
speak softly, without vibrating the vocal cords, privately or secretly.
'Get out!' she hissed at me furiously.
say something in a loud whisper. (Snakes also hiss).
He mumbled something at me which I didn't understand.
speak unclearly, so that others can't hear.
She was muttering something to herself as she went out.
speak in a low voice, which is hard to hear.
The classmates murmured during the test.
speak in a soft, quiet voice that is difficult to hear clearly.
She hummed at the beginning of the oral exam.
make a low continuous sound, when you take a long time deciding what to say.
She grunted a few words and left the table.
make short sounds or say a few words in a rough voice, when you don't want to talk. (Pigs also grunt).
'P-p-please give me the p-p-pen,' he stammered / stuttered.
speak with pauses and repeating the same sound or syllable, habitually or from fear or excitement.
Her voice quavered for a moment but then she regained control.
speak tremulously, because you are nervous or upset.
You're very thilly, Thimon. (You're very silly, Simon.), she lisped.
speak with /th/ sounds instead of /s/ sounds.
Her fever made her babble without stopping.
babble = gabble = gibber = jabber: talk foolishly, in a way difficult to understand.
Stop rambling and get to the point, please!
talk continuously, in a confused way.
He was so drunk that he slurred to the bartender for more.
speak unclearly, without separating the words correctly.
They chatted away in the corner.
have a friendly informal conversation.
Please stop chattering, I'm trying to listen to the TV!
talk quickly and at length about something unimportant.
She was gossiping about her neighbours all day.
talk about the affairs of other people.
They called for help.
speak in a loud clear voice, shout, cry.
He had to shout because the music was too loud.
speak in a loud voice, in anger or to get attention.
The children whooped when we entered the fair.
shout loudly and happily.
She cried out in terror when the old man appeared suddenly.
make a sharp noise, in pain or surprise.
She yelled in terror when she saw the dead cat.
cry out loudly, in fear, pain or excitement.
The baby was screaming the whole day.
cry out very loudly on a high note, in fear, pain, anger or laughter.
The men shrieked with laughter.
scream.
The captain bellowed orders at the crew.
shout in a deep voice.
She squeaked out a few words nervously.
speak in a high-pitched voice.
'Let me go!' she squealed.
speak in a high-pitched voice, with longer and louder sounds than in a squeak.
'I don't want to go,' whined Peter.
complain in a sad, annoying voice about something.
'All finished!' she chirped.
speak in a happy high voice.
The public cheered when the team appeared.
shout because of happiness.
She had such a terrible cold that she could only croak.
speak with a deep hoarse voice.
She blurted out the bad news before I could stop her.
say something suddenly and tactlessly.
'What do you want?' the waiter snapped.
say something quickly in an angry way.
'But... what... where... how could you?' she spluttered.
talk quickly in short confused phrases, in anger or surprise.
'What do you want?' the shop assistant barked.
say something quickly in a loud voice.
Sets found in the same folder