C1 noun Neutral

text

/tɛkst/

In an academic context, a text is any written, spoken, or visual piece of work that can be analyzed and interpreted for meaning. It extends beyond simple books to include transcripts, advertisements, and digital media as structured communicative events.

Examples

3 of 5
1

I sent you a quick text earlier to confirm our dinner reservations.

I sent you a quick text earlier to confirm our dinner reservations.

2

The legal text of the treaty requires a thorough review by constitutional experts.

The legal text of the treaty requires a thorough review by constitutional experts.

3

Did you see that massive text he sent? I haven't even read it all yet.

Did you see that massive text he sent? I haven't even read it all yet.

Word Family

Noun
text
Verb
text
Adverb
textually
Adjective
textual
Related
textbook
💡

Memory Tip

Think of 'textiles'. Just as threads are woven to make a fabric (textile), words are woven together to make a 'text'.

Quick Quiz

To support your thesis, you must cite specific passages from the ___ provided in the course pack.

Correct!

The correct answer is: text

Examples

1

I sent you a quick text earlier to confirm our dinner reservations.

everyday

I sent you a quick text earlier to confirm our dinner reservations.

2

The legal text of the treaty requires a thorough review by constitutional experts.

formal

The legal text of the treaty requires a thorough review by constitutional experts.

3

Did you see that massive text he sent? I haven't even read it all yet.

informal

Did you see that massive text he sent? I haven't even read it all yet.

4

The scholar's analysis of the medieval text revealed subtle shifts in regional dialects.

academic

The scholar's analysis of the medieval text revealed subtle shifts in regional dialects.

5

Please ensure the body text of the advertisement is aligned with our brand voice guidelines.

business

Please ensure the body text of the advertisement is aligned with our brand voice guidelines.

Word Family

Noun
text
Verb
text
Adverb
textually
Adjective
textual
Related
textbook

Common Collocations

sacred text sacred text
source text source text
body text body text
original text original text
academic text academic text

Common Phrases

textbook example

textbook example

read the text closely

read the text closely

textual evidence

textual evidence

Often Confused With

text vs context

Text is the actual written or spoken words, while context is the environment or circumstances surrounding those words.

text vs script

A script usually refers specifically to a text written for performance or a specific writing system.

📝

Usage Notes

At the C1 level, use 'text' to refer to any object of critical analysis, including non-literary items like films or social media threads. In linguistics, it refers to a unit of language in use.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often use 'text' only to mean an SMS message, forgetting its broader academic meaning. It can also be used uncountably when referring to the printed matter in a book (e.g., 'the text is too small').

💡

Memory Tip

Think of 'textiles'. Just as threads are woven to make a fabric (textile), words are woven together to make a 'text'.

📖

Word Origin

Derived from the Latin 'textus', meaning 'woven fabric' or 'structure'.

Grammar Patterns

Countable noun: texts Uncountable noun when referring to printed content Often used with the definite article 'the text'
🌍

Cultural Context

In modern digital culture, 'text' is synonymous with instant messaging, but in academia, it remains the foundational term for any object of study.

Quick Quiz

To support your thesis, you must cite specific passages from the ___ provided in the course pack.

Correct!

The correct answer is: text

Related Words

consequent

C2

In logic and philosophy, a consequent is the second part of a conditional proposition, following the 'if' clause (the antecedent). It represents the result or deduction that follows necessarily or naturally from a previous statement or condition.

administrate

B2

To manage, supervise, or oversee the operations and activities of an organization, program, or system. It involves the practical execution of policies and the organization of resources to achieve specific goals.

administrative

C1

Relating to the organization and management of a business, institution, or government. It describes the practical tasks, systems, and procedures required to keep an entity running efficiently behind the scenes.

assistant

C2

A person who ranks below a senior professional and aids them in their duties, often handling specialized tasks or administrative burdens. In a professional or academic context, an assistant often possesses significant expertise but operates under the direction of a superior to facilitate complex operations.

commissioner

C1

A high-ranking official who is in charge of a government department, a public organization, or a professional sports league. This person is typically appointed to exercise administrative authority or to oversee a specific commission or set of regulations.

computer

C1

A sophisticated electronic device designed to store, retrieve, and process data through programmed instructions. In modern discourse, it encompasses everything from microprocessors in appliances to high-performance servers facilitating global networks.

conclusion

C2

A final judgment, decision, or opinion reached by reasoning after considering all evidence and facts. It also refers to the final part of a piece of writing or a speech that summarizes the main points and provides a closing statement.

consume

C1

To consume means to use up a resource, such as energy, time, or goods, or to eat and drink something. In academic contexts, it often refers to the utilization of information, products, or services by individuals or groups within an economy or social system.

design

C1

A detailed plan or scheme that outlines the functional and aesthetic features of an object or system before it is made. In an academic context, it refers to the deliberate structure or methodology of a study or process designed to achieve specific outcomes.

consumer

B2

A consumer is a person who purchases goods and services for personal use rather than for resale or business purposes. In a broader biological or ecological context, it refers to any organism that feeds on other organisms or organic matter.

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