1. Skills
  2. Writing
  3. A2 writing
  4. A chat

A chat

A teenage girl sits on her bedroom floor, texting with her mobile phone

Look at the chat and do the exercises to improve your writing skills.

Instructions

Do the preparation exercise first. Then do the other exercises.

Preparation

Reading

Sam

online

Hello!

10:30

How was the party?

10:30

Hi!

10:31

Really good, thx!3

10:31

Jedd was there!

10:31

Who ????2

10:32

Jedd Summers!! <35 <3 <3

10:32

in 6th form

10:32

and he's got a scooter

10:32

Oh … Spike!

10:32

Spike???

10:33

That's his nickname.

10:33

Is it? u know him?!1

10:33

Not really. He goes to judo with my sister.

10:34

No way!! He's sooooo coool!!2

10:34

He was DJing

10:34

Cool! Anyway, u coming to Lisa's 2moro?1

10:35

What for?

10:35

To do our geog project.

10:35

Ooops!

10:36

I forgot.

10:36

lol3

10:36

What time?

10:37

3

10:37

Ok, I'll b4 there

10:38

Cool. C u4 @5 Lisa's then.

10:38

C u later!

10:39

xx

10:39

XOXOXO5

10:40

Top Tips for writing

  1. You don't need to write full sentences or questions.
  2. Add extra punctuation marks or vowels to add excitement.
  3. Use abbreviations. lol = laughing out loud, thx = thanks
  4. Use letters or numbers instead of words. u = you, r = are, 2 = to, c = see, b = be
  5. Use symbols. @ = at, <3 = heart, x = a kiss, XO = hug and kiss
  6. Only write in this way to your friends.

Worksheets and downloads

A chat - exercises796.12 KB
A chat - answers241 KB
A chat - text762.88 KB
A chat - writing practice459.28 KB
Discussion

What other words do you know in text message style? Do you prefer writing in text message style or in full?

Language level
A2 Pre-intermediate
Topics
text message
writing
Average: 4.3 (32 votes)
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Comments

Submitted by MilanGamer43943 on Wed, 04/23/2025 - 07:59

i hate shcool so mush

Submitted by Shasha on Mon, 05/20/2024 - 20:08

so cool...

Profile picture for user sam van de wetering

Submitted by sam van de wetering on Mon, 05/13/2024 - 13:03

I reelly love to read engelons

Submitted by none.15@gmail.com on Thu, 01/18/2024 - 23:36

I think I prefer to write full sentences. Its more easy to understand.

Submitted by Tomas Villamar on Mon, 07/31/2023 - 18:56

all good

Submitted by Gabriel Montenegro on Tue, 03/07/2023 - 23:49

I really liked the activities on this page.

Submitted by pomelo on Thu, 02/02/2023 - 08:52

i use idk, lol. I know about style write but i prefer full.

Submitted by ilovemyself on Sat, 12/31/2022 - 09:02

I used to use abbreviations in a whole sentence, and when I reread, I didn't understand what I wrote to my friend. LOL
Now I prefer using full sentences to not get confused when I write essays in school.

Submitted by shinta on Fri, 10/14/2022 - 09:55

I know these. XD THX SRY TY LMAO LOL tmrw Pls GG IDK :) :(
Profile picture for user Javiera_Ophelia

Submitted by Javiera_Ophelia on Thu, 09/08/2022 - 01:54

I know about style wirite but i prefer full because first i'm learning the idiom and it's so difficult to understand that words. I think maybe in future i'd like to learn but right now , not because I think i need to learn a formal vocabulary.

Submitted by Turtle08 on Tue, 08/30/2022 - 09:56

Among these words I only knew "lol" and "xxx". I prefer writing in full because I think it's clearer, and also because I don't know many words in text message style. But I think that learning also how to write in text message style is interesting and useful, because I need to understand what people write to me, also if it's in text message style.

Submitted by ahgima099 on Tue, 08/23/2022 - 10:09

I prefer ok, lol, IDK, HRU
Profile picture for user FlowerQueen

Submitted by FlowerQueen on Wed, 06/01/2022 - 14:40

Hello Yes I often prefer that style of writing. I know: Thx (Thanks) Btw (By the way) Ily (I love you) Ty (Thank you) Tysm (Thank you so much) @ (at) 3 (heart) Idk (I don't know) Ok (Okay) Lol (Laughing out loud) Lmao (Laughing my ass off) Pls (Please) Sry (Sorry) u (you) 2 (two) bcs (because) ofc (of course) Mcs (McDonald's) I often use emojis too. FlowerQueen~♡

Submitted by gabioliveira1001 on Sun, 05/01/2022 - 22:10

I don't like of this style, I prefer writing in full, but some words in this style that I know are: Idk and u.
Profile picture for user COOLIONELA

Submitted by COOLIONELA on Fri, 04/09/2021 - 11:12

I always use formal and I do not even use "XXX" that is how I managed to make a book in English.

Submitted by Ashley_122 on Wed, 02/24/2021 - 20:39

I prefer writing in full. Bir sometimes I write in text message style. I know that words in text message style: LOL C u Xoxo Xxx 3 @ I can remember just these ones:)
Profile picture for user RosenSindSchwarz29

Submitted by RosenSindSchwarz29 on Fri, 01/22/2021 - 12:14

I know this: Thnx (thanks) LOL ASAP (as soon as possible) XOXO 3 (heart) @ (at) u (you) btw (by the way) bcs (because) ofc (of course) r (are) 2ez4me (to easy for me) 2morro (tomorrow) w8ten (waiten) w8 (wait) gr8 (great) TYVM (thank you very much) Idk (I don't know) wt (what) nope yap HBTY (happy birthday to you) gg (good game) omg (oh my god) LY (love you) HAB (how about you) any1 (anyone) m8 (mate) =) (very happy) :-) (happy) :-I (not very happy, it goes) :-( (sad) =( (very sad) =€ (angry) :D (great) :-/ (bad, not okay) :-P (cool) -_- (bahhh) ;-; = * (kiss) XD (I'm crying bcs I'm so happpy, it's very funny)
Profile picture for user Noob

Submitted by Noob on Wed, 01/19/2022 - 02:34

pls(please)

Submitted by Nooname on Sat, 01/16/2021 - 11:54

I never use text messages i prefer to use normal
Profile picture for user Kostantinus

Submitted by Kostantinus on Thu, 01/14/2021 - 07:58

I prefer write in full, but I am familiar with some abbreviations such as imho, lol, u, H r u, c u, thx, xoxo, omg, btw.
Profile picture for user rafaelyeshua

Submitted by rafaelyeshua on Fri, 12/18/2020 - 17:07

i don't use the abrevations, but i will use it when i play a game with english players XD
Profile picture for user CleverCap

Submitted by CleverCap on Sun, 12/13/2020 - 15:39

HBU is How About You

Submitted by Chefcito on Fri, 10/30/2020 - 02:16

i prefer write in full, and I know other word in text message styles like: idk, btw, omg, ly, lmao.
Profile picture for user zagrybast

Submitted by zagrybast on Fri, 08/14/2020 - 10:57

Skool - school, m8 - mate, imho - in my humble opinion, hru - how are you, omg - oh my god, any1 - anyone, y - why, pls - please, be4 - before, w8 - wait, 2u - to you, lu - love you. Usually I use a full form of word, but when I haven’t free time I use a short form.

Submitted by Ian_reynoso on Tue, 08/04/2020 - 18:13

I prefer in text message
Profile picture for user Sherry4869

Submitted by Sherry4869 on Thu, 05/14/2020 - 15:08

I prefer to write in short form with my friends!!!! Bcoz It is ez to talk with each other. It is very funny too. I 3 it. Sherry xxx

Submitted by rain_ran_r on Sun, 04/05/2020 - 23:29

:) happy face :( sad face

Submitted by Nayka on Thu, 02/27/2020 - 17:44

I only know 2day(today), 2U(to you) and NY(New York). I prefer to write in full

Submitted by Elife on Mon, 01/27/2020 - 00:10

I don't know more style words. I learned about text message style today, it's pretty funny to me. And, I prefer writing in full.

Submitted by Makam on Sun, 01/26/2020 - 15:17

I prefer to write in full.

Submitted by lancer on Sun, 11/10/2019 - 18:26

What other words do you know in text message style? Do you prefer writing in text message style or in full? I learned about text message style today, it's pretty interesting to me and funny. :) I don't have more text message style except for today's styles. (sad) I prefered writing in full than in text message style so far. hmm.. i think using text message style with strangers can cause misunderstanding.

Submitted by rosalesirene977 on Mon, 10/14/2019 - 05:16

I also think the sameee, I think that write with abbrevations is easlier and for example if u r @ an important event you can't write a big text. Sooo I prefer 2 write with abbrevations. byeee, XOXO

Submitted by Gonzalo1 on Sun, 10/13/2019 - 16:07

Hi Nicolas I am agree whith your opinion on the use of abbreviations in chats,I think that is more useful for certaìn things,for example when you are in class and the teacher explains so fast that you do not have time to copy, and more examples. Cu later.

Submitted by carol0807 on Sun, 10/13/2019 - 15:28

I think the same as u. When U uses that style it takes less time 2 write messages and young people can communicate more easily. Many people look 4 ways 2 write in a shot way and thx to this, they already have it.

Submitted by NicoProoXDXDXD on Thu, 10/10/2019 - 16:01

There isn´t a difficult 2 comunicate in this way, because if u write in this way u r going to b faster when you write: Instead of write ``I love you´´ you put this:3 or ``thanks´´ you can put thx and is shorter than write the complete word

Submitted by MeLlamanPeter on Sun, 10/13/2019 - 12:46

IK, is nice 2 know this type of writing its true that isnt difficult I 3 it XOXOXO

Submitted by NicoProoXDXDXD on Tue, 10/08/2019 - 15:46

Hi Is there someone of class? I´m Nicolás

Submitted by hsroh on Thu, 07/11/2019 - 14:58

R u still awake? 10:20pm ... l want to get into the bed! 10:34pm fine! but don't forget to come to the the party 2morrow!10:35 ?...! Oops! I forgot10:35 lol C u 2morrow! Let get into the bed now!10:36 Ok! C u 2morrow!10:37

Submitted by laki on Fri, 01/18/2019 - 18:05

in english i prefer writing in full because i do not know english very well and i don't have any friends with whom i can writing in text messsage. but i think that it is very interesting to read text messages. and i think if i have an english friend, i will prefer text messages. it is shoter and more quikly.

Submitted by amaita2006 on Sat, 10/12/2019 - 08:38

Hi laki!!! Nice 2 meet u!!! How ru???? I may not b your dream English friend but I can chat with u whenever u want. Thx u for everything!!! XOXOXO
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Submitted by Youjiro on Sun, 01/13/2019 - 09:38

I don't know text message style .I couldn't understand any word ,But I prefer text message style . It shorter than full style and quicker then usual .That is way I prefer text message.
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Submitted by Alluha on Sun, 01/06/2019 - 14:12

lmao I prefer writing this style, it's more easy.
Profile picture for user gabriiiielaa__

Submitted by gabriiiielaa__ on Thu, 10/10/2019 - 14:20

I agree with you, I think this is more quickly to write all the words and I suppose that is easier for young people than old people.
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Submitted by carrotilya on Wed, 12/12/2018 - 16:30

gg = good game Wp = Well Played ez = easy 2ez4me = to easy for me ty = thank you Gamers' chat looks like that)
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Submitted by Ahjeen on Thu, 01/18/2018 - 18:24

BTW by the way CCP cute cool& popular
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Submitted by Ken on Sat, 01/20/2018 - 00:11

Wow, I thought CCP meant... See, See, Pee!! (ૢ˃ꌂ˂⁎)

Submitted by hermione123 on Sat, 05/01/2021 - 15:28

Do you read the Diary of Dork series? CCP is used almost all the time in that series. Ps. Sorry if i write the series title wrongly. It's been a long time since the last time I read it :)
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