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

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