What is text? Pronunciation and usage in English

text means . Learn how to pronounce and use text through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of text

textnoun

/tɛkst/
Definition & pronunciation of text

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "text" in English. There are a couple of common pronunciations, and it depends slightly on where you are in the English-speaking world. Here's a breakdown:

1. Most Common American Pronunciation:

  • Sounds like: "tekst"
    • "tek" - like the word "tek" (as in, "take")
    • "st" - a short "t" sound followed by a "st" sound (like the "st" in "stop")

2. British Pronunciation:

  • Sounds like: "teks"
    • "teks" - Similar to the American pronunciation, but with a slightly softer "t" sound.

Here's a breakdown of the sounds:

  • "t": A clear, sharp "t" sound.
  • "e": A short "e" sound, like in "bed."
  • "x": This is the tricky part! It’s pronounced like the "x" in "box" or "exact." It's a single sound, not two letters.

Resources to Help You Hear the Pronunciation:

To help me give you the most relevant pronunciation, could you tell me:

  • Where are you from? (e.g., United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, etc.)

Usage and examples with the word text in English

Let's break down how to use the word "text" in English. It has several different meanings and uses, so it’s important to understand the context. Here's a detailed explanation:

1. As a Verb (Action of Sending a Message)

  • Meaning: To send a message using a mobile phone or similar device.
  • Examples:
    • "I need to text my friend to let her know I'm running late."
    • "Don't forget to text me when you arrive."
    • "She texted him a funny picture."
    • "I texted support to ask for help with the software."

2. As a Noun (A Message Itself)

  • Meaning: The message you send or receive via text message.
  • Examples:
    • "I received a text from my mom."
    • "Read the text carefully before answering."
    • "He replied with a quick text."
    • “There were a lot of texts on my phone.”

3. As a Noun (Written Material - More General)

  • Meaning: Anything written, especially short pieces of writing. This is a broader usage than just SMS messages.
  • Examples:
    • "The book is full of text." (referring to the written content)
    • "I need to rewrite the text of this report."
    • "He wrote a short text on the whiteboard."
    • "This article is dense with text.”

4. "Texting" (Gerund/Verb - The Act of Sending/Receiving Text Messages)

  • Meaning: The act of using a mobile phone to send and receive text messages. Often used as a noun or an adjective.
  • Examples:
    • "I spend hours texting with my family." (Verb - action)
    • "She’s really into texting." (Adjective - describing a person’s habit)
    • "Let’s limit our texting." (Noun - referring to the activity)

5. Related Phrases & Idioms

  • "Text someone": Specifically means to send them a text message.
  • "Send a text": Essentially the same as "text someone."
  • "Keep me posted": (Often used after texting) Means "Let me know what's happening." (e.g., "Just text me when you get there.")
  • "Texting etiquette": Rules and guidelines for appropriate text messaging behavior.

Here's a table summarizing the different uses:

Part of Speech Meaning Example
Verb To send a message "I texted him the directions."
Noun A text message "I got a text from my sister."
Noun Written material "The document is full of text."
Gerund/Verb The act of texting "She's a dedicated texter."

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of context are you using "text" in? (e.g., casual conversation, a formal email, a creative writing piece?)
  • Is there a specific sentence you're struggling with?

Synonyms for the word text

Practice with vocabulary text

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The legal department requested a final review of the contract before printing the official _____.
  2. Instead of calling, she decided to send a quick _____ message to confirm her arrival.
  3. The professor emphasized that students should always cite their sources when quoting from any academic _____.
  4. Please reply to this _____ by end of day with your availability for the meeting.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (Select all that apply if multiple choices are correct)

  1. Which of the following would you typically find as the main written content of a book or article? a) Index b) Glossary c) Text d) Bibliography

  2. When communicating urgent but non-verbal information quickly in a professional setting, what options are commonly used? a) A lengthy report b) A phone call c) An email d) A text message

  3. To fully grasp the author's nuanced argument, readers must carefully analyze the original _____ of the research paper. a) illustration b) graphic c) dialogue d) text

  4. Before submitting the final version, the editor carefully reviewed the initial _____ for any errors or inconsistencies. a) abstract b) summary c) draft d) synopsis

  5. For an effective presentation, speakers should create a concise _____ of their key points rather than reading directly from slides. a) script b) outline c) manuscript d) text

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. She quickly sent a message to her colleague asking about the updated schedule. (Rewrite using "text" or a related word form.)
  2. The literary scholars spent years studying the ancient writings discovered in the tomb. (Rewrite using "text" or a related word form.)
  3. The main written material of the report was supported by several graphs and charts. (Rewrite without using "text" or any related word form.)

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. text
  2. text
  3. document
  4. email

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. c) Text
  2. c) An email, d) A text message
  3. d) text
  4. c) draft
  5. b) outline

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. She texted her colleague for the updated schedule.
  2. The literary scholars spent years studying the ancient texts discovered in the tomb.
  3. The main body of the report was supported by several graphs and charts.

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