Texting, Messaging & Online Replies: correct answers
Jump to answers ↓Prepositions in Social Media and Texting
Digital communication is full of specific preposition combinations that don't always translate directly from other languages. One of the most frequent mistakes happens with the verb reply. When you answer someone's message, you must use the preposition to.
✅ He finally replied to my message. ❌ He finally replied my message.
Social media and texting also have unique collocations (words that naturally go together). When you browse your social media feed, you scroll through it. If a friend includes you in a photo online, they tag you in it.
If someone opens your message but ignores it, a very common modern texting phrase is being "left on read" or "left on seen." We always use the preposition on for this phrase.
✅ I can't believe you left me on read for three hours! ❌ I can't believe you left me at read for three hours!
Gerunds and Infinitives in Messages
When you text about your actions, you often use two verbs together. The first verb always dictates the form of the second verb. Here are the most common patterns you will use in daily messages:
- End up + -ing (gerund): Use this to talk about an unexpected result or accident.
- I wanted to be professional, but I ended up texting my boss a funny meme.
- Forget + to (infinitive): Use this when you didn't do something you were supposed to do.
- Oh no, I forgot to attach the presentation slides!
- Stop + -ing (gerund): Use this to say an action has completely finished or been quit.
- I need to stop messaging him.
The Tricky "To": Preposition vs. Infinitive
This is the biggest trap for English learners. Usually, the word to is an infinitive marker followed by a base verb (e.g., "I can't wait to hang out").
However, in some very common texting phrases, to acts as a preposition. When a preposition is followed by a verb, that verb MUST be a gerund (-ing form).
Two incredibly common examples in messaging are look forward to (used for making plans) and be used to (used for talking about habits or adjustments).
✅ I'm looking forward to seeing you this weekend! ❌ I'm looking forward to see you this weekend!
✅ Grandpa is finally used to typing on a smartphone. ❌ Grandpa is finally used to type on a smartphone.
Common Error Note: A classic mistake learners make when sending a late text is forgetting that the preposition for also requires a gerund. When you apologize for a delayed reply, you cannot use a base verb.
✅ Sorry for taking so long to get back to you! ❌ Sorry for take so long to get back to you!
If you want to avoid the gerund entirely, you can change the sentence structure and use a standard subject and verb: Sorry it took me a while to reply.
Correct answers
Question 1
The correct choices are through, to, and on.
scrolling through: The natural phrasal verb for browsing a social media feed is "scrolling through" (moving from the top toward the bottom of the content).
links to: When sharing a URL or web address, we always use "a link to" a specific page or video.
active on: We use the preposition "on" for social media platforms, websites, and messaging apps (e.g., on Instagram, on WhatsApp, on the internet).
Question 2
Help Marco finish his panicked text to his project partner!
"Oh no! I completely forgot ___ the presentation slides to the group chat!"
The correct answer is to attach.
When we use "forget" + "to" + infinitive (to attach), it means you didn't do something you were supposed to do. If you use "forget" + gerund (attaching), it means you did it, but you lost the memory of doing it! Marco didn't do the action, so he needs the infinitive.
Question 3
Help Maya finish her text message about an embarrassing typing mistake. Drag the correct verb forms to complete her story.
I wanted to send a professional reply, but I ended up texting my boss a picture of a potato! I really need to stop messaging people when I'm half asleep.
I wanted to send a professional reply, but I ended up texting my boss a picture of a potato! I really need to stop messaging people when I'm half asleep.
The verb want is always followed by a to-infinitive (to send).
The phrasal verb end up (meaning to finally be in a particular situation) must be followed by a gerund (texting).
Stop + gerund (messaging) means to quit doing an action completely. (If you used "stop to message," it would mean you stopped what you were doing in order to send a message, which doesn't fit the story!)
Question 4
Complete Grandad's proud text message to his grandson.
"It took a few weeks of practice, but I am finally used ___ with my thumbs!"
The correct answer is to typing.
The phrase "be used to" (meaning to be accustomed to something) is followed by a noun or a gerund (an -ing verb). Here, "to" is a preposition, not part of an infinitive verb, so it must be followed by "typing."
Question 5
Help Liam complete his dramatic text message to his best friend about a frustrating group chat. Drag the correct prepositions into the blanks.
I can't believe you left me on read! I was waiting for you to reply to my question, but instead you just tagged me in that weird meme.
I can't believe you left me on read! I was waiting for you to reply to my question, but instead you just tagged me in that weird meme.
left on read is a common digital idiom meaning someone saw your message but didn't answer.
We always reply to a message or person (never "reply for" or "reply with a person").
When you link someone's name to a photo or post online, you tag them in it.
Question 7
The correct answers are I'm definitely up for it! Count me in. and Sounds great! I'm planning to join you guys.
"Count me in" is the correct phrasal verb to say you want to participate. "Count on me" means "rely on me," but "count me on" is incorrect.
The verb "plan" can be followed by a to-infinitive (planning to join) or "on" + gerund (planning on joining). Using "on" with a base verb is grammatically incorrect.
Question 8
The correct choices are replied to, read, and again.
replied to: The verb "reply" requires the preposition "to" when followed by an object (like "my message"). You can say "answered my message" but never "answered to".
left me on read: This is a very common digital idiom used when someone opens your text (triggering a "read" receipt) but doesn't respond.
text him again: Since Liam is the one waiting for a response, he would be texting "again." You only text someone "back" when you are responding to them!
Question 9
The correct answers are Sorry for taking so long to get back to you! and Sorry it took me a while to reply.
After the preposition for, we must use the gerund form (taking).
The phrase "it took me a while" is followed by a to-infinitive (to reply), not "for" + gerund.
Question 10
The correct answers are I'm looking forward to seeing you this weekend! and I can't wait to hang out on Saturday!
The phrase "look forward to" must be followed by a noun or a gerund (verb + -ing), not a base verb.
For days of the week like Saturday, we always use the preposition on, not in.