Can you hear what he is...

[Bob]

Hello everyone and Alan,

Test No. incompl/elem-1 "Speaking already", question 1

Can you hear what he is .........?

(a) saying
(b) speaking
(c) telling
(d) talking

Test No. incompl/elem-1 "Speaking already", answer 1

Can you hear what he is saying?

Correct answer: (a) saying

I was wondering if someone could summarize the differences among these similar words. Is it absolutely impossible to use a word other than the correct one? How does the native speakers feel if I use the wrong word?

Bob

[Torsten]

Dear Bob,

There are differences between those verbs although their meanings are indeed very similar. Let's take a look:

a) What do you say about his new girlfriend? (What do you think about her)?

b) Do you speak Japanese?

c) Please, tell me a story.

d) I'd like to talk to Mr Mizumo, please.

Can you see the different contexts?
Let me know

TOEIC listening, photographs: An Asian puppet show

[Bob]

Thank you, Torsten.
It seems that I need to be familiar with those typical sentences.

[Alan]

[Bob]

[Con Ong Vang]

Thanks Torsten for your e-mail lesson!Look forward to your next email

[Torsten]

Hi Conong,

It's great to you hear you liked the email -- you will receive your next lesson on Saturday.

Talk to you soon,
Torsten

TOEIC listening, photographs: A castle

[jothi]

i want to know the use of do,does,did,done,has,have,had,hasbeen,hadbeen,havebeen
please perfect me in using these.

[Torsten]

Hi Office,

Maybe we should take it one step at a time. Let's start by looking at the help words "do/does" first. Please read this and let me know what you think.

Many thanks,
Torsten

TOEIC listening, photographs: Impressive column

[jothi]

hi Torsten
i agree with u. so teach me step by step

thanks
kiran
(Office)

[jothi]

i want to know the rules when/where to use do/does

office

[Torsten]

Did you read this?
http://www.english-test.net/forum/ftopic1358.html

TOEIC listening, photographs: Sea view

[Abdallah Akil]

thx a lot for your lessons they are really great

[Violino]

Hi... again:) I'm a little bit confused.

"What is he saying?" or "What he is saying?" ? For my money, as I learnt it, the first sentence is a good one.
So I don't understand why is it (or "it is"?) "Can you hear what he is saying?" and not "Can you hear what IS HE saying?".

Or maybe it makes no difference is it "What is he.." or "What he is.." ?

Help.. now my confusion is getting worse :|

[Yankee]

Hi Violino

The test sentence is an indirect question:
- Can you hear what he is saying?

The following are direct questions:
- Can you hear him?
- What is he saying?

An indirect question is basically a question within a question. When you have an indirect question, the introductory question will have interrogative word order (Can you hear), but the following clause normally does not.

Here are a couple more examples of indirect questions:

- Do you know when he left the office?
- Can you tell me how much that sofa costs?
.
_________________
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln