im
im — noun
1. a brief text sent from one person to another over the internet using a chat prog
a brief text sent from one person to another over the internet using a chat program or app, allowing a near-instant two-way written conversation.
Nora sent me an im last night to confirm the time of the meeting.
collocation: send (someone) an im
I received an im from my boss telling me the project was due on Friday.
collocation: receive an im from [someone]
Could you send me an im with the address when you arrive at the station?
Lan's im popped up on my screen just as I was leaving the house.
The app saves every im you send, so check your history for old messages.
- DM
refers specifically to private messages on social media platforms like Instagram or Twitter
- text message
sent via mobile phone networks (SMS) rather than the internet
文法句型
im + verb (send, receive, reply to)
im + pop up / appear
用法筆記
Usually written in lowercase in informal contexts. The plural form is 'ims' (e.g., 'I have five unread ims').
常見錯誤
2. the technology or platform that lets people send and receive written messages in
the technology or platform that lets people send and receive written messages in real time over the internet, without the delays of email.
We use im at work for quick questions instead of sending emails.
collocation: use im for [purpose]
Christopher prefers im over phone calls because it feels less distracting.
collocation: prefer im over [alternative]
The company switched to a new im system that supports encrypted group chats.
With im, you can see when your team members are available to respond.
- instant messaging
the full form of the abbreviation
- chat
a more general term that can also refer to voice or video calls
文法句型
im + noun (system, platform, service)
use / prefer im
through im / via im
用法筆記
Used as an uncountable noun referring to the method of communication, not to individual messages. Often appears without an article ('We communicate via im').
3. a type of swimming competition in which each athlete swims four different styles
a type of swimming competition in which each athlete swims four different styles — butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and freestyle — in sequence over the same distance.
Bilal won the 200-meter im at the national swimming championships last March.
collocation: win the [distance] im
The 400-meter im requires swimmers to be strong in all four strokes equally.
collocation: [distance] im + requires / demands
Sven's best event is the 400-meter im, which takes nearly four minutes.
Amihan trains six days a week to improve her im time before the Olympics.
- medley
a shorter form used in informal swimming contexts, e.g., 'He swims medley'
文法句型
distance + im (200m im, 400m im)
verb (swim / win) + the + distance + im
用法筆記
Often written in uppercase as IM in swimming contexts, especially in competition schedules and results tables. Always used with a distance prefix ('200m IM', '400m IM').
常見錯誤
im — verb
1. to send a brief real-time text message to a person through an online chat applic
to send a brief real-time text message to a person through an online chat application, often as a quick alternative to email or a phone call.
I will im you the directions once I arrive at the station.
double object: im + [someone] + [something]
Can you im me the link to the article you mentioned in class?
question form: Can you im me [something]?
Valentina immed her roommate to ask if she needed anything from the store.
The team leader immed everyone the updated schedule this morning.
文法句型
im + someone
im + someone + something
im + someone + to-infinitive
用法筆記
The past tense is commonly written as 'immed' (e.g., 'She immed me yesterday'). The present participle is 'imming' (e.g., 'I am imming him right now'). The verb takes two objects in a double-object construction: 'im someone something'.
常見錯誤
2. to exchange written messages with someone over the internet in real time, typica
to exchange written messages with someone over the internet in real time, typically using a chat application instead of other communication methods.
We were immming late into the night about our plans for the summer trip.
present participle: immming + about [topic]
Instead of calling, Padma prefers to im because it feels more relaxed.
collocation: prefer to im instead of [alternative]
I cannot im right now because my internet connection is too slow.
Eric and Élise im every day even though they live in different countries.
文法句型
im + with someone
im + about something
im + adverb of frequency
用法筆記
This intransitive sense does not take a direct object. When a conversation partner is mentioned, use 'with' ('im with someone'). Frequently used with adverbs of frequency ('always im', 'never im').