Irregular verb
The verb to speak
speak → spoke → spoken
A2Meaning: to say words; to use a language · Type: irregular · Frequency: Top 50 English verbs
Key points to remember
- Present Simple:
I/you/we/they speak·he/she/it speaks - Past Simple:
spoke - Past participle:
spoken - -ing form:
speaking
Conjugation of the verb to speak
Present Simple
| I | speak |
| You | speak |
| He / She / It | speaks |
| We | speak |
| You (pl.) | speak |
| They | speak |
Past Simple
| I | spoke |
| You | spoke |
| He / She / It | spoke |
| We | spoke |
| You (pl.) | spoke |
| They | spoke |
All the forms of the verb to speak
Present Simple
Full pagespeak / speaks
“I speak French and English.”
See the pagePresent Continuous
Full pageam / is / are speaking
“I am speaking English right now.”
See the pagePast Simple
Full pagespoke
“She spoke to the teacher.”
See the pagePast Continuous
Full pagewas / were speaking
“I was speaking English when the phone rang.”
See the pagePresent Perfect
Full pagehave / has spoken
“I have already spoken English.”
See the pagePast Perfect
Full pagehad spoken
“She had already spoken English when I arrived.”
See the pageFuture Simple
Full pagewill speak
“I will speak English tomorrow.”
See the pageGoing to Future
Full pageam / is / are going to speak
“I'm going to speak English this weekend.”
See the pageConditional (would)
Full pagewould speak
“I would speak English if I had time.”
See the pageHow to use to speak
1. Speaking a language
- I speak French and English.
- Do you speak Spanish?
2. Speaking to someone
Speak to / speak with + person.
- Can I speak to John?
- I spoke with my teacher.
Common mistakes to avoid
1. Speak or talk?
Speak is more formal: for languages and official situations. Talk is for everyday conversations. For a language, use speak: She speaks three languages. For a chat, use talk: We talked for hours.
2. I have spoke ❌
Speak → spoke → spoken: there are three different forms. Spoke is the Past Simple, used alone. After have or has, use spoken: I have spoken to her.
Going further
Conjugating to speak is a key skill in the English contest
Every year, the Big Challenge tests the key English verbs. Register your students so they can check their level in a real contest.
Register my students5,000 students every year · Primary and secondary
Practise on PLAYYou can conjugate to speak. Now say it out loud.
This page explained everything. On PLAY, you practise this verb out loud in 3 minutes, until it comes naturally.
Practise to speak on PLAYFree · No sign-up · 3 minutes
For teachersReady-made activities to practise to speak in class
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Related pages: speak
Pages on a similar topic or with a similar use, so you can keep exploring.
Frequently asked questions
What is the past simple of speak?+
The Past Simple of speak is spoke. The past participle is spoken. Speak → spoke → spoken.
What is the difference between speak and talk?+
Speak is a little more formal, and we use it for languages: I speak English. Talk is more for conversations: I talked to her about the trip. In many sentences, you can use both.
Is it I speak English or I speak the English?+
Say I speak English, with no article. For any language: I speak Spanish, She speaks Italian, Do you speak Chinese?
Is it speak to or speak with?+
Both are correct. Speak to is more common in British English and can sound a little more formal. Speak with is common in American English. I spoke to the teacher. I spoke with my friend.
Is it spoke or speaked?+
Say spoke. Speak is irregular: its Past Simple is spoke and its past participle is spoken. Speaked is a common mistake.
Updated on 12 November 2026 by the Big Challenge teaching team. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999. Our teaching approach →
The Big Challenge · Updated on 12 November 2026 · Source: www.thebigchallenge.com/bl/academy/learn-english/verbs/speak
© The Big Challenge. Copying allowed for classroom use. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999.