If there are a few different styles for texting on your phone, you’ll likely want to give each a try for at least a couple of days. This way you’ll have time to learn the pros and cons for each while getting the hang of the style of input. [2] X Research source
to/too = 2 for = 4 your/you’re = ur are = r be = b be right back = brb talk to you later = ttyl by the way = btw see you later = c u l8r heart/love = <3 oh my god = omg never mind = nvm / nm I don’t know = idk ta ta for now = ttfn just kidding = jk best friend forever= bff no problem = np thank you = ty[3] X Research source [4] X Research source
to/too = 2 for = 4 your/you’re = ur are = r be = b be right back = brb talk to you later = ttyl by the way = btw see you later = c u l8r heart/love = <3 oh my god = omg never mind = nvm / nm I don’t know = idk ta ta for now = ttfn just kidding = jk best friend forever= bff no problem = np thank you = ty[3] X Research source [4] X Research source
When you come across a text expression you are unsure of, don’t be afraid to ask! Some communities use less common texting expressions that may be confusing. For example, gamers will often use the expression “FTW” (for the win) to express appreciation or admiration.
Phones notoriously have difficulty telling names and other proper nouns apart from ordinary words. For example, you may have to put the name “Tere” in your phone to prevent it from auto-correcting the name to the word “there. "
What are you up to? Sorry, I’m busy right now. Where are you? I’ll be right there. I’m running late. Let’s catch up soon. [8] X Research source
A common feature that you might find helpful, especially for larger phones, is a split keyboard layout. This aligns half of your keyboard to either side of your screen. This may make it easier, and quicker, for your thumbs to reach keys that would have otherwise been hard to reach in the middle of your screen. [9] X Research source [10] X Research source
If your goal is to text super quick, you may want to take some time to firmly ingrain the keypad in your mind. Take a few days and doodle out the keypad on scrap paper as a way of memorizing your cell phone keypad. Some texting apps allow you to customize your keypad. This can help you organize your keypad so its set up naturally for you. [13] X Research source If this option is available to you with your texting app, you may want to customize your keypad.
Swiping involves touching the first letter of the word you want to type on the touchscreen of your phone and pathing your finger through the rest of the letters of the word without taking your finger off the screen. Once you have finished your word, you should remove your finger from the screen. Touch type is much like the typing you would do on a keyboard. For each letter of the word you are trying to type, you should tap your screen where the letter appears on your on-screen keyboard.
T9 predictive text. T9 stands for “text on 9 keys,” with the 9 keys being the numerals 1 through 9 on your keyboard. Zero is often used for punctuation. By pressing the numbers that correspond to the letters you need for the word you are trying to text, T9 software should suggest likely options. For example, on many T9 keypads, “43556” will suggest the word “hello. " Once you have pressed the keys that contain the letters you need to spell your word, you may have many suggested words to choose from. Generally, you’ll have to select from among these options by using a directional pad on your phone. Manual texting involves pushing the numbers on your number pad to cycle through the letters associated with that particular number. To manually type the “h” in “hello,” you’d have first to press the number 4 two times in rapid succession. The first press would suggest “g” and the second “h. " In this fashion, you’ll have to type your words to text. With manual texting, you may have to press a select key, like a button in the center of your directional pad, to select the letter after rapidly pushing the number key. In some cases, your phone will interpret a long pause after pressing the key as the selection of the letter. Some predictive software will offer suggestions for likely words before you finish typing. This can speed up your text time, removing unnecessary keystrokes. To make the most of this feature, you may have to practice using your texting software to develop an intuition for it. [14] X Research source
