Complete the sentences. 1. This is the third time I’ve had to speak … him about being late.
2. Our party speaks … the poor and unemployed.
3. Recent events speak … themselves.
4. He was the only one to speak … against the decision.
5. I feel that somebody has to speak … for those oppressed by the system.
6. Please speak … — we can't hear you at the back.
7. ‘We didn't play very well.’ ‘Speak … yourself!’
- The correct preposition to use here is "to". We use "speak to someone" when we want to talk or have a conversation with that person. In this case, the speaker had to talk to the person about their habit of being late.
- For example: "I was constantly late for class, so my teacher had to speak to me about my punctuality."
2. Our party speaks for the poor and unemployed.
- Here, the preposition "for" is used. When we say someone "speaks for" a group or represents them, it means that they advocate for their rights or express their opinions.
- For example: "The politician spoke for the rights of the marginalized communities in his speech."
3. Recent events speak for themselves.
- In this sentence, the phrase "speak for themselves" means that the events are so clear or significant that they require no further explanation.
- For example: "The footage of the accident speaks for itself; the car was clearly speeding."
4. He was the only one to speak against the decision.
- The correct preposition to use here is "against". When we speak "against" something, it means we express opposition or disagreement.
- For example: "The students spoke against the school's decision to eliminate art programs."
5. I feel that somebody has to speak for those oppressed by the system.
- In this sentence, the phrase "speak for" means to represent or defend the rights or interests of a group of people.
- For example: "The activists spoke for the voiceless victims of human rights abuses."
6. Please speak up — we can't hear you at the back.
- The phrasal verb "speak up" is used here to mean speaking more loudly or clearly so that others can hear.
- For example: "During presentations, I always remind students to speak up so that everyone can understand."
7. 'We didn't play very well.' 'Speak for yourself!'
- The phrase "speak for yourself" is used to disagree with a general statement or opinion, usually when it does not reflect one's personal experience or situation.
- For example: "Someone said, 'We all had a great time at the party,' and I responded, 'Speak for yourself. I didn't enjoy it.'"