English Conversation

140 Practice Makes Perfect English Conversation

IM

An IM is an “instant message,” designed to get the immediate attention of the person contacted.

Electronic devices give an audible signal when an IM is received.

Texting

Texting is the practice of sending written messages from one cell phone to another, using the

receiver’s telephone number.

Texters often leave out the vowels in words or make up abbreviations in order to communi-

cate faster. For example:

cd could

cls class

cn can

hv have

prnts parents

sndy Sunday

tchr teacher

wd would

Tweeting

Tweeting is the practice of sending written messages to the general public through a commercial

website, called twitter.com. Messages are limited to 140 characters. Important or famous people

often use this to keep their constituents, clients, or fans informed of what they are doing or

thinking.

Acronyms

Acronyms are combinations of letters that are used as abbreviations to replace words and expres-

sions. Acronyms and other symbols are commonly used in e-mail, texting, and tweeting. They

may be in all capital (uppercase) letters, all lowercase letters, or a combination of the two. There

are really no rules!

Following is a list of commonly used acronyms and other symbols:

J, :) I’m happy.

L, :( I’m unhappy.

@ at

2nite tonight

4 for/four

411 information [traditionally a telephone number to call to get help finding a

telephone number]

4ever forever

4U for you

911 emergency; call me [traditionally the contact number for the police or fire

department]

ABT2 about to

AKA also known as (another name for someone or something)

asamof as a matter of fact