5 Texting Styles That Reveal Your Personality

Have you ever sent a text that you thought sounded fine, only to have the recipient later accuse you of being rude? You might have responded, “It was just a text,” and they replied, “But you used a period! You’re so abrupt!” What if the way you text actually reflects your personality? Texting has become a common way we communicate, and if you text often, you probably have a texting style. In this article, we’ll explore five common texting styles and what they might reveal about your personality.

1. Emoji Texts

Expressive and Open

Do you often use emojis in your messages? If so, you're likely someone who is open to showing emotions and values clear communication. People who frequently use emojis want to ensure that their tone is understood, leaving no room for ambiguity. Whether you're happy, sad, or excited, you use creative emojis to express yourself.

Research supports this idea. A study by Amanda N. Gesselman, Vivian P. Ta, and Justin R. Garcia found that emojis can serve as effective signals in modern social communication. Their research suggests that emoji use may act as a reasonable proxy for affection, self-disclosure, and building intimacy. So, if you’re using emojis with potential romantic partners, it could lead to more face-to-face interactions, which are essential for assessing compatibility and attraction.

2. Perfect Grammar

Thoughtful and Analytical

If you're someone who values proper punctuation and grammar in your texts, you are probably thoughtful, analytical, and detail-oriented. This precision extends beyond texts into your everyday communication. However, studies suggest that this could backfire in texting. A 2016 study from Binghamton University found that texts ending with a period were perceived as less sincere. A follow-up study in 2018 showed that one-word responses with periods were viewed more negatively than those without punctuation.

This texting style likely reflects a person who prefers face-to-face conversations and doesn’t text impulsively. You think things through and are grounded in logic rather than emotions, which explains why you pay so much attention to even the smallest grammatical details.

3. Quick Texts (Textisms)

Energetic and Social

Are you the type to send multiple short texts or abbreviations like “LOL” or “BRB”? If so, you’re probably a fast thinker and energetic, someone who doesn’t hesitate to communicate in a casual and rapid-fire style. Quick texts or "textisms" reflect an outgoing, social personality with many friends and a busy life.

Interestingly, a study from Utrecht University and the University of Amsterdam suggests that using textisms doesn’t harm language skills. In fact, their research found a positive impact on grammar and executive function, particularly in children. So, sending short bursts of texts may even improve your language abilities over time!

4. Paragraph Texts

Thoughtful and Detailed

Do you often send long, detailed texts that read like mini-essays? If so, you’re likely someone who values context and enjoys deep conversations. According to relationship coach Nazanin Marzban, those who prefer lengthy texts are often detail-oriented and like to think through every aspect of a situation before responding.

This personality type tends to avoid emotional extremes in their texts. You think things through thoroughly before making a decision and prefer controlled, stable environments. While some may find your texts too long, your attention to detail is part of what makes you a thoughtful and considerate communicator.

5. One-Word Responses

Reserved and Independent

If you often send short, one-word texts like “Good” or “K,” you may have a more reserved personality. You’re not overly expressive with your emotions, and you may prefer to spend more time in person rather than through digital communication. You might also be an introvert, enjoying alone time and valuing independence.

While you may not put much thought into the length of your responses, others may misinterpret your brevity. As mentioned earlier, the study from Binghamton University found that one-word texts with periods could be perceived as more negative. So, if you're communicating with someone who prefers more detailed texts, be aware that your short responses might come off as cold or dismissive.

Bonus: Texting Styles and Relationships

Did you know that mismatched texting styles can affect your relationships? A study found that couples with similar texting habits tend to be more satisfied with their relationships. Dr. Leora Trub, who presented these findings, explained that how often couples texted wasn’t as important as having a similar texting style. So, while your partner may not need to text you more frequently, having similar texting habits could improve your relationship satisfaction.

Conclusion

So, which texting style are you? Do you recognize yourself in one of these categories, or do you use a mix of different styles depending on the situation? It's important to remember that everyone has their own unique texting habits, and how we communicate in texts can vary based on who we’re messaging—whether it's family, friends, or colleagues. Texting is more than just a tool for communication; it’s a reflection of who we are.