Lesson 22 drill — Informal digital register — what changes, what doesn't
Digital English uses three big shifts. (1) CONTRACTIONS — every single one: I'm, you're, won't, gonna, wanna, kinda. Writing 'I am going to' in a text sounds robotic or annoyed. (2) ELLIPSIS — drop the subject and the auxiliary when they're obvious. 'Be there in five' (not 'I will be there in five'). 'On my way' / 'Just got in' / 'Sounds great'. (3) TONE MARKERS — without face or voice, you need extra signals. SOFTENERS like 'haha', 'lol', 'x', '!', and the strategic emoji turn a blunt message warm. 'OK.' feels cold; 'OK!' feels friendly; 'ok x' feels warm. What does NOT change at B1+: spell words correctly, capitalise names, and don't use slang you don't fully understand. Voice notes have their own rules: short (under 45s), one topic, end with a clear question or sign-off.
Which sounds most natural as a quick text?
Which feels WARMEST?
Choose the most natural contraction: 'I ____ make it tonight.'
Which is best for a voice note?
Your friend cancels. Which reply keeps the friendship warm?
____ my way — be there in five!
I'm absolutely ____ — can't make it tonight.
Honestly ____ worries, take your time.
Let me ____ back to you tomorrow.
Right, off to bed — ____ it easy x