send a text message

Meaning

To write and transmit a short written message from one mobile phone to another. It is a common daily expression used when we want to communicate quickly without making a phone call.

Examples

• I will send a text message to my mom as soon as I land.

  I will send a text message to my mom as soon as I land.

• Can you send a text message to Sarah and ask her if she's coming?

  Can you send a text message to Sarah and ask her if she's coming?

• He forgot to send a text message to confirm his appointment.

  He forgot to send a text message to confirm his appointment.

• I usually send a text message instead of calling during work hours.

  I usually send a text message instead of calling during work hours.

• She sent a text message to the group chat to coordinate our dinner plans.

  She sent a text message to the group chat to coordinate our dinner plans.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I will send a message text to you later.

  ✓ I will send a text message to you later.

  'Text' functions as an adjective-like modifier here, so it must come before the noun 'message', or you can simply use 'text' as a verb.

• ✗ He wrote me a text message on my phone number.

  ✓ He sent a text message to my phone.

  We send messages 'to' someone or 'to' their phone, rather than writing a message 'on' a phone number.

Related Expressions

Practice

• If you are going to be late, please ___ to let me know.

  💡 Use the full phrase for writing and transmitting a short message on a phone.

  Show answer

  send a text message

• I didn't want to wake her up, so I decided to ___ instead of calling.

  💡 It means to communicate silently using your mobile phone.

  Show answer

  send a text message