These verbs have to do with the utterance of words or the expression of meaning. Say is the least formal and most general word. It may refer either to speech or writing, and is used both in direct and indirect quotation.

• "I’m tired," he said ; The paper says that it might rain.

In one sense, say is limited to the exact words pronounced or written: I can tell you what he said , but you will have to figure out what he meant. In another sense, say is not concerned with words themselves so much as with any means of conveying thoughts and feelings: Say it with flowers; a lot of words to say very little; with only a smile to say how much she missed him. Where say stresses content, speak is limited to vocal utterance. This verb may indicate the basic power to make sounds or utter words: A mute cannot speak . It may mean to talk or make a speech.

• She spoke of you; What did he say ? The lecturer spoke for over an hour.

Speak may also imply a working knowledge of language, the ability to use words properly in conversation.

• Do you speak French? Say something in Spanish.

State emphasizes both content and tone. It suggests a formal declaration of fact set forth explicitly in speech or writing.

• State your name, rank and serial number; The witness stated that he saw the accused at the scene of the crime; That stipulation is stated in the contract.

One may state such things as reasons, requirements, facts, claims or conditions.

• State your case; State your business here.

One may speak words, lines or speeches as well as languages: words spoken in anger; a speaking part in the play; Speak your piece. One may say words or things (in general) and prayers (in particular).

• If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all; Never say die; Say the password; Say yes; He is saying his prayers.

Where speak stresses the uttering of words, verbalize stresses the putting of thoughts into words ?the ability to articulate ideas or experience. Properly used, verbalize implies a certain fluency, the power to pin down precisely or formulate something that is hard to express: The mystic found it hard, if not impossible, to verbalize his philosophical position. But the formal verbalize seems highly pretentious and out of place when wrongly used as a synonym for express: He found it hard to express (not to verbalize) his feelings for her. In another, more common sense, to verbalize is to speak or write verbosely, wearying the reader or listener with wordiness at the expense of wit: a pompous old windbag given to empty verbalizing .

Communicate focuses on the ability of one person to make contact with another and to make himself understood. Language is an effective medium for communicating , but only when the speaker or writer is able to convey a message, to get across what he means. A person speaking Spanish, for example, is unable to communicate with a person who speaks only English. And an expert who may have an impressive command of technical jargon may lack the broad-based language skills needed to communicate knowledge to laymen. One may communicate not only through speech or writing but also through looks or gestures, signal or codes: prisoner who communicate by tapping on the walls; psychiatrists who try to communicate with the mentally ill. Speak may also imply recognition, an attempt or willingness to communicate by talking or making a sound.

• Speak to me; Say something; They aren’t on speaking terms and they communicate through an intermediary.

In a more sophisticated sense, communicate stresses the technological transmission of information or ideas. Men now communicate over long distances by means of telephone, telegraph, radio, television and satellite.