- Do abbreviations like “plz” and “ty” actually make your texts feel less sincere? New research suggests they might. We explore how shortened words affect how your messages are received — even in romantic conversations. Then, we offer practical tips for writing thoughtful, specific thank-you notes that reflect real gratitude.
The texting segment was written by David Fang, a PhD student in marketing at Stanford University. Sam Maglio, an Associate Professor of Marketing and Psychology at the University of Toronto, also contributed to the writing. It originally ran on The Conversation), and appears here through a Creative Commons license.
The "thank-you" segment originally ran on the OUP Blog) and appears here with permission. Edwin Battistella taught linguistics and writing at Southern Oregon University in Ashland, where he served as a dean and as interim provost. He is the author of "Do You Make These Mistakes in English)?" (OUP, 2009), "Bad Language)" (OUP, 2005), and "The Logic of Markedness)" (OUP, 1996).
🔗 **Share your familect recording in a **WhatsApp chat.)
🔗 Watch my LinkedIn Learning writing courses).
🔗 Subscribe to the newsletter).
🔗 **Take our advertising survey). **
🔗** Get the edited transcript).**
🔗 **Get Grammar Girl books). **
🔗 Join Grammarpalooza)**. **Get ad-free and bonus episodes at Apple Podcasts) or Subtext). Learn more about the difference).
| HOST: Mignon Fogarty
| VOICEMAIL: 833-214-GIRL (833-214-4475).
| Grammar Girl is part of the Quick and Dirty Tips podcast network).
- Audio Engineer: Dan Feierabend
- Director of Podcast: Holly Hutchings
- Advertising Operations Specialist: Morgan Christianson
- Marketing and Video: Nat Hoopes
| Theme music by Catherine Rannus).
| Grammar Girl Social Media: YouTube). TikTok). Facebook).Threads). Instagram). LinkedIn). Mastodon). Bluesky).
