How to write a text message in English

These days it’s easy to stay in touch with your mobile phone, and it’s also a great way to practise your English. You can simplify the language by taking out subject pronouns and keeping sentences short. Plus there are lots of lovely set phrases that you can use again and again so there’s not too much vocabulary to learn – Great news hey 🙂

Below you’ll find 4 examples of simple messages you might send.

What type of message is each one – Holiday update / Birthday wishes / Get well soon message / Invitation / Thank you message?

1. Hi Lisa. Just wanted to say that it was lovely to see you. Thanks for the delicious dinner! Give my love to your family. Looking forward to seeing you again soon, Natalie xx

2. Hi Mum. Nightmare journey but arrived safely. The staff and the beach are great but the rooms are a bit disappointing, never mind. Off to a restaurant to try the local cuisine now! Say hi to Dad. Speak soon, Jenni xx

3. Hi Steve. Sorry to hear you’re not feeling well. Let me know if there’s anything I can do. Hope you feel better soon. Ben x

4. Hey Paul. Feel like I haven’t seen you for ages. Fancy meeting for a coffee this weekend? Let me know when you’re free. Hope all’s well, Gemma xx

5. Happy birthday Danni! Hope you have a great day. Looking forward to celebrating with you on Saturday night! x

What do you think?

Yep! Number 1 was a thank you message. You can use the set phrases here to personalise your own thank you message:

• Just wanted to say that it was great/fantastic/brilliant to see you.
• Thanks for the catch up/the gossip/the tasty meal.
• Give my love to your sister/your family/the rest of the gang.
• Looking forward to next time/our next get-together/etc.

Number 2 was a holiday update. Again, you can adapt the phrases:

• Long/Nightmare/easy journey.
• The staff/hotel/beach/rooms/food is/are great/a bit disappointing/horrible/fantastic.
• Off to the beach/a restaurant/the pool/a nightclub now.
• Say hi to Dad/everyone/the dog!

Number 3 was a get well soon message. Here are the useful phrases from that one:

• Sorry to hear you’re poorly/under the weather/in hospital.
• Let me know if there’s anything I can do/bring you/help with.
• Hope you feel better/get better/recover soon.

Number 4 was an invitation. These are all nice set phrases but of course you can change the type of invitation (coffee, walk, dinner) and the time.

• Feel like I haven’t seen you for ages.
• Fancy meeting for a coffee/walk/dinner this weekend?
• Let me know when you’re free.
• Hope all’s well.

And finally number 5 was birthday wishes! Here are a couple of phrases from that one that you can use:

• Happy birthday!
• Hope you have a great day!
• Looking forward to celebrating with you soon/this weekend/on Friday

Did you find this vocabulary useful? Let me know in the comments below 😊 Oh and if you would prefer some more formal language for emails, you can find that here!