It can be frustrating to get a lot of text messages from a friend or relative if you're having a hard time responding quickly. Fortunately, by practicing and becoming familiar with texting applications, you can learn how to communicate quickly via text. With the right techniques, it can take a week to become a true pro!
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Increase Speed With Practice
Step 1. Try your phone's writing interface for a few minutes
Each keyboard requires a certain learning phase. Almost everyone needs practice to learn to type quickly on a computer keyboard, and the same goes for that of a mobile phone. You may find that by scrolling through the letters you are able to be faster and make fewer mistakes, or that you prefer to touch each key individually.
If your phone offers different writing styles, try them all for at least a few days. This way you can learn the pros and cons of each of them
Step 2. Study the abbreviations used in messages
To express ideas and thoughts quickly via SMS, many people use shortened forms of words. Some of them are quite intuitive, like "ke" instead of "that", others less so, like "xké" to indicate "why". Here are some of the most used abbreviations:
- c = ci
- not = nn
- answer me = resp
- see you soon = ap
- many kisses = xxx
- mobile = cel
- see you later = cvd
- in any case = cmq
- message = msg
- heart / love = <3
- please = x fv
- I love you = tvb
- i love you so much = tat
- I'll be back in a while = ttp
- joke = ske
- you are the best = 6 la +
- no problem = np
- thanks = gz
Step 3. Don't be discouraged when you are learning
Sometimes we feel discouraged when we try to learn something new. This can lead you to give up or try with little conviction. In the beginning it won't be easy, but by writing to your friends and relatives, your speed will only increase.
When you find an expression you don't know, don't be afraid to ask. In some circles, abbreviations are used which can be confusing. For example, on the internet you will often find the expression "LOL" (laugh out loud) to indicate a laugh
Part 2 of 3: Making the Most of the Writing Interface
Step 1. Enhance the application dictionary
Most mobile writing programs customize their dictionary so that it doesn't automatically correct some words and learns others that weren't originally there. You can access this feature from your phone settings by pressing the gear icon. Within the menu, look for language or keyboard options.
Phones are known to have difficulty recognizing proper names from other words. For example, Clara can be automatically corrected with chiara
Step 2. Use templates for the most common sentences
If you find that you often use certain expressions, you can avoid typing them by teaching them to the writing program. As you did earlier, you need to open the phone settings (often the icon is a gear) and configure the language or keyboard options. Here are some commonly used phrases:
- What are you doing?
- Sorry, I'm busy at the moment.
- Where are you?
- I arrive.
- I'm late.
- Talk to you soon.
Step 3. Study the specific features of your writing program
Some programs offer a tutorial that teaches the basic operation of the application. However, these simple guides often don't talk about the most advanced and unique features, which can help you write faster! To learn all the secrets of your phone, you should search the internet for a detailed description.
One common feature that can help you, particularly in larger phones, is the split keyboard. This option allows you to align half of the keyboard on each side of the screen. This should make it easier for you to reach the letters in the center with your thumbs
Part 3 of 3: Familiarize yourself with your writing schedule
Step 1. Get to know the keyboard
Learning the position of all letters and symbols allows you to significantly speed up your writing speed. The layout of the keys differs depending on the phone, region and language. For these reasons, your cell phone keyboard may be very different from what you are used to using.
- If your goal is to type very quickly, take some time to memorize the keyboard layout. Copy it on a sheet of paper to memorize it.
- Some writing programs allow you to customize the keyboard. This can help you create the configuration that works best for you. If you have the opportunity to do so, take advantage of it.
Step 2. Experiment with the different writing styles offered by touch screen phones
The two main modes are "swipe" and "single tap". Choose the one you prefer and with which you feel best. You may find that your device only supports one type of input. Check your phone's manual to find out which writing styles are supported, then experiment to find the best one.
- The sliding system requires you to touch the first letter of the word to be typed on the phone screen, then slide your finger over the rest of the letters, without lifting it from the keyboard. Once you have finished typing the word, you can lift your finger from the screen.
- The contact system mimics traditional keyboards. For each letter of the word you want to write you will have to press the screen corresponding to the letter.
Step 3. Use predictive or handwriting on phones that don't have a touch screen
Cell phones of this type rely on a button-based keyboard, where each number on the keypad generally corresponds to a series of letters of the alphabet. Some devices also have a small keyboard that you can use like the one on your computer, by pressing the keys corresponding to the letters you want to type. Cell phones that use the numeric keypad for letters often have a built-in handwriting prediction program, such as the following:
- T9: stands for "nine-key messages", ie those from 1 to 9 on the numeric keypad. Zero is often used for punctuation. By pressing the numbers that correspond to the letters you need, the T9 will suggest the most likely options. For example, on many T9 keyboards, pressing the 2426 buttons results in "Hello".
- After pressing the keys that contain the letters needed to form the word you want to write, you may see many suggested words to choose from. Usually, you can do this using the arrows on your phone.
- Handwriting requires you to press the number keys until you get the letter you are looking for on the screen. To manually type the "c" for "hello", you must press the 2 three times in quick succession. After the first press you will see on the screen "a" and after the second "b". Continue in the same way to enter all the words of the message.
- With handwriting, to select letters quickly after pressing keys, you can press the select key, such as the one in the center of the directional pad. In some cases, your mobile will select the letter automatically after a long pause.
- Some predictive writing programs offer suggestions before the end of the word. This can speed up your speed of composing messages, saving you letters. To make the most of this feature, you need to practice your writing program so that you can learn its particularities.
Tips
- Some phones have full QWERTY keyboards, similar to computers. On these models you can type with both thumbs, significantly speeding up the writing speed.
- You can often save time by leaving out the vowels of longer words. For example, "Qst frs has cmq sns, doesn't it?".
Warnings
- Abbreviations are often considered unprofessional, inappropriate or too informal. You should avoid writing like that when sending a business message or when writing to people you are unfamiliar with.
- Using a mobile phone while driving can be dangerous and illegal in many countries around the world. In Italy there are laws that prohibit driving and using the mobile phone at the same time.
