WHAT TO DO: Text Messages, whether casual or professional, are usually short, brief and direct. Let’s work on sounding natural as we reply back. Remember to keep it clear and friendly.

EXAMPLES:

Casual Message: “Are we still meeting at 3?”

Your reply: “Yes, see you at the café at 3!”

Professional Message: “Will you be attending the client call at 3 PM?”

Your reply: “Yes, I’ll be logged in and ready to join the call at 3 PM.”

Replying To Casual Text Messages

STUDENT INSTRUCTIONS:

  • Choose any of the text messages, read it and write your reply.

  • Use complete sentences when needed.

  • Match the tone: casual = friendly, professional = polite.

  • Write and share your answer — no speaking or recording.

  1. What was the best thing you saw at the store today?

  2. What did you end up eating for lunch?

  3. Tell me about the funniest thing you saw today.

  4. What kind of bread should I get for us?

  5. Who did you run into, and what did you talk about?

  6. Where do you think I left my phone charger?

  7. What time works best for you to come over?

  8. What did you think of the video I sent?

  9. How should we use all this pasta I made?

  10. Where do you want to walk later?

  11. How’s the weather where you are right now?

  12. When did you last use your sweater?

  13. Who do you think will win the game tonight?

  14. What’s making the traffic so bad today?

  15. What did you just buy, and why?

  16. What do you want to do first at the park?

  17. What’s making you laugh so much right now?

  18. What are your plans for the weekend?

  19. What do you think the cat is looking at?

  20. How has your August been so far?

  21. How do you take your coffee?

  22. How often do you water the plants?

  23. What do you think made that noise last night?

  24. What’s inside the package that just got delivered?

  25. How should we decorate the cookies I made?

  26. "Do you want me to grab you anything while I’m at the store?"

  27. "We’re meeting at 6, right?"

  28. "Guess what happened today?"

  29. "Can you send me that picture from last weekend?"

  30. "I’m outside. Do you want me to come in or wait here?"

  31. "Which one do you like better — blue or green?"

  32. Hey, are you still at the store?

  33. Did you eat yet?

  34. I saw the funniest thing today.

  35. Can you pick up bread on your way home?

  36. You’ll never guess who I ran into.

  37. I think I left my phone charger at your place.

  38. What time should I come over?

  39. Did you see that video I sent you?

  40. I made way too much pasta.

  41. Want to go for a walk later?

  42. The weather is so nice today.

  43. I found your sweater in my car.

  44. Are you watching the game tonight?

  45. I’m stuck in traffic.

  46. Guess what I just bought!

  47. Do you still want to go to the park?

  48. I can’t stop laughing at this.

  49. Are you free this weekend?

  50. The cat is staring at the fridge again.

  51. Can you believe it’s already August?

  52. I’m making coffee. Want some?

  53. Did you water the plants?

  54. I heard a weird noise outside last night.

  55. Your package just got delivered.

  56. I made cookies.

Replying To Professional Text Messages

For full instructions, see the first section (Casual Texts).

  1. "Just confirming our meeting is still on for 2:30 today."

  2. "Could you please review this document and let me know if any changes are needed?"

  3. "I’m at the front desk. Should I come up or wait here?"

  4. "Would you like me to pick up the order now or later this afternoon?"

  5. "Could you send me the updated schedule when you have a moment?"

  6. "I wanted to follow up about our conversation from last week."

  7. Could you share your thoughts on the new schedule?

  8. What steps should we take to prepare for tomorrow’s meeting?

  9. How would you like me to handle this request from a customer?

  10. What updates should I include in the report?

  11. Which parts of the project do you think need more attention?

  12. How would you suggest we improve this presentation?

  13. What’s your preferred time for the call this week?

  14. Which documents should I review first?

  15. How should I respond to this email from the supplier?

  16. What changes would you recommend for this draft?

  17. How do you think we should address the client’s concern?

  18. Which tasks do you want me to prioritize today?

  19. What should I include in the agenda for the team meeting?

  20. How would you like me to arrange the files?

  21. What’s your opinion on the new policy?

  22. Which training topics should we focus on first?

  23. How can we make this process more efficient?

  24. Which date works best for the training session?

  25. How should I prepare the materials for the workshop?

  26. What information should I send to the new intern?

  27. How can we make the newsletter more engaging?

  28. Which points do you think I should highlight in the summary?

  29. How should I handle the follow-up with this client?

  30. What additional details should I add to the contract?

  31. How would you like me to organize the meeting notes?

Replying To Teen / Young Adult Text Messages

For full instructions, see the first section (Casual Texts).

  1. What’s the best way to convince my parents to let me go to the concert?

  2. How would you explain our project so it actually sounds interesting?

  3. What’s your favorite memory from this school year so far?

  4. Which part of the game last night did you think was the most intense?

  5. How should we decorate the room for the party?

  6. What’s the funniest thing that happened in class today?

  7. How do you think we should split the work for our group project?

  8. What’s the best way to study for this exam without losing my mind?

  9. Which song do you think should be on our playlist first?

  10. What’s the most creative way to ask someone to the dance?

  11. How would you describe our school to someone who’s never been there?

  12. What’s the weirdest rule our teacher has made this year?

  13. What advice would you give a freshman starting here?

  14. Which snack should I bring that everyone will actually eat?

  15. What’s the most embarrassing moment you’ve seen in the cafeteria?

  16. How would you explain this homework problem to me in plain English?

  17. What’s the best way to make a new student feel welcome?

  18. Which TikTok trend do you think is the funniest right now?

  19. How should we spend the last day of summer break?

  20. Which spot in town is best for hanging out after school?

  21. What’s one thing you wish the school would change immediately?

  22. Which teacher gives the most useful advice and why?

  23. How would you survive if the Wi-Fi went down for a whole week?

  24. What’s the most underrated show or movie right now?

  25. Which challenge should we try next and how would we film it?

Replying To Everyday Life / Older Adult Text Messages

For full instructions, see the first section (Casual Texts).

  1. What’s your favorite way to spend a quiet afternoon at home?

  2. How would you season these vegetables to make them taste better?

  3. What’s the best route to take so we avoid traffic on the way there?

  4. How would you rearrange the living room to make it feel more open?

  5. What’s one recipe you know by heart that everyone loves?

  6. How should I explain this bill to someone who’s never seen one like it before?

  7. What’s your secret for keeping plants alive in the summer heat?

  8. How would you describe your perfect day off from work?

  9. What’s the best way to pack for a weeklong trip without overpacking?

  10. Which shop in town sells the best bread and why?

  11. What’s your method for keeping the house cool without using too much electricity?

  12. How would you introduce yourself to a new neighbor?

  13. What’s your best tip for keeping a small kitchen organized?

  14. Which book should I read next and what makes it worth it?

  15. What’s your favorite way to relax after a long day?

  16. How would you prepare a guest room to make it feel welcoming?

  17. What’s your trick for remembering names of people you just met?

  18. How would you explain the taste of your favorite meal to someone who’s never tried it?

  19. What’s your favorite way to spend a rainy Sunday afternoon?

  20. How should I set the table for a simple but nice dinner?

  21. Which local restaurant do you think is the most underrated?

  22. How would you decorate the front porch for autumn?

  23. What’s your best tip for saving money on groceries?

  24. How would you plan a relaxing weekend without spending much money?

  25. What’s your favorite memory from a family gathering?