ESL Podcast 203 - Text Messaging
to text - to send a text message to someone
I texted my friend to tell him where to meet us so we could all go to dinner together.
I M @ lib wher r u? - "I am at (the) library. Where are you?"
When Megan didn't arrive by 8:30, Tim texted her the message, "I M @ lib wher r u?"
template - something that is a sample or a model that someone can change and use for their own purposes
The template we used to build our website uses red as a background color, but I changed it to yellow.
to make up - to invent; to create
All he said was he that he couldn't come tonight. Don't make up a story in your head about the reasons why.
to compose - to write something
Could you please wait a minute while I finish composing an email?
setting - the part of something that can be set, changed, or adjusted according to someone's preference
She changed the settings on her alarm clock so that she could wake up to her favorite CD playing.
predictive text mode - a setting for text messages that allows the machine to complete words for you as you enter the first letters in a word
Predictive text mode makes it easier for me to text people quickly.
normal tap mode - a setting for text messages that allows you to enter your own words instead of having the words completed for you by the machine
I don't use normal tap mode very much anymore unless I'm texting a list of names.
character - any text that takes up one space in a text message; usually letters, numbers, and symbols
This screen has a limit of 200 characters. I hope my message is short enough to fit.
symbol - a character that is not a number or a letter; a small picture that represents something else
The logo for that company was created as a symbol of their long history.
screen - the area on an electronic device where you can see the characters
My computer screen stopped working so I can't see what I'm typing!
capital letter - a letter used to begin sentences and names, for example, "W" and "D."
This sentence begins with the capital letter, "T."
option - a type of setting that can be turned on or off, or changed; a choice
When you purchase this camera, you have the option of paying just $20 more for a photo printer.
abbreviation - a shortened version of a word
Do you know what the abbreviation for Texas is? I'm not sure if it's TX or TS.
to get up to speed - to be able to do something that you are learning as well as others
He just started sailing two weeks ago, so please help him to get up to speed.
to not make (any) sense - to be difficult to understand; not to be logical
It doesn't make any sense to take the elevator when the stairs are faster.