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All the ways “umm” can be used while texting (and how to respond)
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You text a friend a question, and they respond with “Ummmm.” Huh? What does that even mean? When texting or messaging, “ummmm” is often used to show doubt or uncertainty in response to something. This simple message can be a friendly way to say, “I’m not sure,” or a flirtatious way to capture your attention. So, which one is it? Keep reading to find out!
“Um” Meaning
“Um” or “ummmm” expresses hesitation, doubt, or uncertainty. It’s typically used in response to a question in person or via text to say, “I don’t really know.”
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QuestionHow do I keep things moving when our chat is stalling?Jeremy Sharvit is a Senior iOS Engineer and App Developer based in San Francisco, CA. Jeremy has over 5 years of experience and most recently launched the app TextWise AI, which helps users elevate their communication in a variety of settings, including dating apps. TextWise AI is compatible with any dating app, including Hinge, Bumble, and Tinder, and was built to provide assistance with crafting message responses and boosting user confidence in conversations.What you could do here is to take the lead and shift the energy. Instead of waiting for the other person to steer things, try changing the topic or introducing something playful. It’s like planning a quick coffee date where you don’t want to overthink it but you just want to keep things flowing naturally. You can ask a light, open-ended question to spark new conversation, like, “What’s something random you’ve always wanted to learn?” or something like “Alright, serious question—if we had to plan a spontaneous trip right now, where are we going?” These kinds of questions show personality and give the other person something fun to respond to and keep your conversation going. But remember, if they just don't seem like they're interested, you could always move on to the next one.
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- The number of m s in “um” doesn’t change the meaning; it just adds more or less emphasis to the word.Thanks
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Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about texting conversations, check out our in-depth interview with Jeremy Sharvit .
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