The English language is changing faster than ever, and most of this change is happening online. Social media is the main driving force behind these shifts.
Changes in Words and Grammar
Faster Change in Vocabulary
Research shows that social media is speeding up how new words are created and spread. Because these platforms are interactive and full of viral content, new terms and abbreviations quickly catch on and become part of everyday language.
Words like "selfie" and "meme" show how digital spaces help new expressions become mainstream. This process often involves shortening words or using abbreviations, which can eventually lead to small changes in grammar and how words are used.
The Many Uses of “Be Like”
The phrase "be like" has become a common way to report what someone said or thought, and its use keeps growing. Early studies by Romaine and Lange (1991) showed how like became a marker for quoting speech and thought. Newer research confirms that, especially among young people, be like now serves several purposes.
It can introduce spoken quotes (for example, I was like, “No way!”) or thoughts (I was like, “What’s going on?”), and both uses continue to exist side by side. Studies also suggest that be like helps people make their stories more vivid and expressive, often using gestures and facial expressions to bring them to life.
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