Exercise 1
Choose the correct word to complete each sentence about technology and digital communication.
Example: She uses a strong _____ to protect her online accounts. (password / username / browser)
Answer: She uses a strong password to protect her online accounts.
Technology and Digital Communication
Technology is part of almost every aspect of modern life. We use it to work, study, shop, stay in touch with friends, and find information instantly. Whether you are sending a quick message, joining a video call, or scrolling through social media, you are using the language of technology and digital communication every day.
Read this short situation before you begin:
Maria is a university student. She uses her laptop to attend online lectures, send emails to her professor, and submit assignments through the college website. In the evenings, she chats with friends on a messaging app, streams films, and sometimes posts photos on social media. Last week, her Wi-Fi connection dropped in the middle of a video call, and she had to restart her router. Sound familiar?
In this lesson, you will learn key vocabulary related to technology and digital communication — including devices, online actions, and common expressions used in everyday digital life.
Key Vocabulary & Meaning Breakdown
1. Devices and Equipment
| Word / Phrase | Part of Speech & Meaning | Example Sentence | Collocations / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| laptop | noun — a portable computer that folds shut and can be used anywhere | She takes her laptop to the library when she needs to study. | use a laptop, charge a laptop, open/close a laptop |
| smartphone | noun — a mobile phone with internet access and many applications | He downloaded a language app on his smartphone to practise Spanish. | unlock a smartphone, upgrade a smartphone, smartphone screen |
| tablet | noun — a flat, touch-screen device, larger than a phone but smaller than a laptop | The children use a tablet to play educational games. | tablet screen, use a tablet, draw on a tablet |
| charger | noun — a device or cable used to give power to a phone, laptop, or other device | I forgot to bring my charger, so my phone battery died. | plug in a charger, wireless charger, fast charger |
| router | noun — a piece of equipment that sends Wi-Fi signals to devices in your home or office | We had to restart the router because the internet stopped working. | Wi-Fi router, restart a router, connect to a router |
| headphones | noun (plural) — a device worn over or in the ears for listening to audio privately | She put on her headphones to listen to music on the train. | wear headphones, wireless headphones, put on / take off headphones |
2. Online Actions and Digital Activities
| Word / Phrase | Part of Speech & Meaning | Example Sentence | Collocations / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| download | verb — to copy or save a file, app, or document from the internet to your device | I downloaded the app and it works really well. | download a file / app / song, download speed |
| upload | verb — to send a file, photo, or video from your device to the internet or a website | She uploaded her assignment to the college website before the deadline. | upload a photo / video / file, upload speed |
| stream | verb — to watch or listen to video or music directly from the internet without saving it | We streamed a film on Friday night instead of going out. | stream a film / music / live event, streaming service |
| scroll | verb — to move up or down through content on a screen using a finger or mouse | He spent an hour scrolling through social media before going to bed. | scroll through, scroll up / down, scroll a feed |
| log in | phrasal verb — to enter your username and password to access a website or app | You need to log in to your account to see your results. | log in to an account, log in with a password, log out (opposite) |
| log out | phrasal verb — to exit or close your session on a website or app | Always log out when you use a shared computer. | log out of an account, remember to log out |
| update | verb / noun — to install the newest version of an app or system; the new version itself | You should update your software to keep your device secure. | install an update, software update, update an app / system |
| back up | phrasal verb — to make a copy of your files or data so you do not lose them | It is important to back up your photos in case your phone breaks. | back up data / files / photos, cloud backup |
3. Communication and Social Media
| Word / Phrase | Part of Speech & Meaning | Example Sentence | Collocations / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| post | verb / noun — to publish content (a photo, message, or video) on social media; the content itself | She posted a photo of her holiday on social media. | post a photo / message / comment, make a post |
| comment | verb / noun — to write a public reply or opinion below a social media post or article | Many people commented on the video because it was so funny. | leave a comment, post a comment, comment on something |
| follow | verb — to subscribe to someone's social media account so you see their posts | I follow several travel accounts on social media for inspiration. | follow an account, follow someone, gain followers |
| tag | verb / noun — to link another person's account in a post or photo so they are notified | He tagged his friend in the photo from the concert. | tag someone in a photo / post, add a tag |
| notification | noun — an automatic alert or message from an app telling you about new activity | She turned off her notifications so she could concentrate on studying. | receive a notification, turn off / on notifications, push notification |
| message | verb / noun — to send a short text communication through an app or platform; the text itself | Can you message me when you arrive at the station? | send a message, leave a message, message someone, read a message |
| video call | noun — a live conversation where you can see and hear the other person using a device and internet connection | We had a video call with grandma because she lives far away. | make / have a video call, join a video call, video call someone |
| connection | noun — the link between your device and the internet or a network | The video call kept cutting out because of a weak connection. | internet connection, Wi-Fi connection, slow / strong connection, lose your connection |
Collocations & Useful Expressions
At B1 level, learning words together as natural collocations (word partnerships) will help you sound more natural when speaking and writing in English. Here are some of the most common collocations with technology vocabulary:
make + a video call
We made a video call to our relatives in Australia last Sunday.
lose + your connection
I lost my connection in the middle of the meeting, which was very frustrating.
send + a message
She sent him a message to say she would be late.
charge + your phone
Remember to charge your phone before the journey.
install + an app / update
You need to install the latest update to fix the problem.
access + the internet
You can access the internet for free in most cafés nowadays.
connect + to Wi-Fi
As soon as I arrived at the hotel, I connected to the Wi-Fi.
turn off + notifications
I turn off my notifications when I am studying so I can concentrate.
scroll + through + social media / a feed
She scrolled through her feed for twenty minutes before getting up.
post + a photo / video / comment
He posted a funny video that got thousands of views.
Important Differences & Confusing Words
Download vs Upload
These two words are often confused because they both involve moving files between a device and the internet — but they go in opposite directions.
- Download means to bring something from the internet to your device.
I downloaded the music and now I can listen to it without the internet. - Upload means to send something from your device to the internet or a website.
I uploaded my CV to the job website so the company could read it.
Quick tip: Think of it this way — you download things you want to receive, and you upload things you want to share.
Message vs Email
- A message is usually short and informal. It is sent through apps like WhatsApp, Instagram, or SMS. We use it for quick, everyday communication.
I'll send you a message when I leave work. - An email is more formal and is often longer. It is sent through email services (e.g. Gmail, Outlook) and is common in professional and academic settings.
Please send your application by email to the address below.
Update vs Upgrade
- An update is a new version of the same software or app. It fixes problems and adds small improvements. It is usually free.
I installed the latest update and the app works much better now. - An upgrade means moving to a newer, better, or more powerful version of a device or service. It often costs money.
I upgraded my phone because the old one was too slow.
Log In vs Sign Up
- Log in (also written login) means you already have an account and you are entering it.
Log in with your email address and password. - Sign up means you are creating a new account for the first time.
Sign up for free to access all the features.
Common Mistakes
Here are some typical errors that B1-level learners make with technology and digital communication vocabulary:
❌ I downloaded a photo to Instagram.
✅ I uploaded a photo to Instagram. — You send photos from your device to the internet, so use upload, not download.
❌ Can you do a video call with me tonight?
✅ Can you have / make a video call with me tonight? — We use have or make with video call, not do.
❌ She posted a comment in the photo.
✅ She posted a comment on the photo. — Use the preposition on with comment when referring to social media posts, photos, or videos.
❌ I need to charge my laptop's battery.
✅ I need to charge my laptop. — In everyday English, we simply say charge your laptop / phone, not charge the battery of your laptop.
❌ I have a bad Wi-Fi. The connection is slow.
✅ I have a bad Wi-Fi connection. It is slow. — Wi-Fi alone is not usually described as bad or good. Say Wi-Fi connection or internet connection.
❌ He signed in to a new account on Facebook.
✅ He signed up for a new account on Facebook. — Use sign up when creating a new account. Use sign in or log in for existing accounts.
❌ I updated my phone to a newer model.
✅ I upgraded my phone to a newer model. — Upgrade refers to changing to a newer device or service. Update refers to installing new software on the same device.
Technology and Digital Communication: Quick Summary & Review
In this lesson, you have learnt a wide range of vocabulary connected to technology and digital communication. Here is a quick summary of the main areas covered:
- Devices and equipment: laptop, smartphone, tablet, charger, router, headphones
- Online actions: download, upload, stream, scroll, log in, log out, update, back up
- Communication and social media: post, comment, follow, tag, notification, message, video call, connection
- Key collocations: make a video call, lose your connection, turn off notifications, connect to Wi-Fi, send a message
- Important differences: download vs upload, message vs email, update vs upgrade, log in vs sign up
Remember that collocations — the words that naturally go together — are just as important as individual vocabulary. Learning phrases like charge your phone, access the internet, and lose your connection will help you sound natural and confident in English.
Also, pay close attention to prepositions: comment on a post, connect to Wi-Fi, log in to an account, and tag someone in a photo. These small words make a big difference!
Now practise technology and digital communication vocabulary in the exercises below.
📄 Download the Technology and Digital Communication PDF
Download this Technology and Digital Communication grammar lesson as a free printable PDF.
It includes grammar rules, examples, and explanations so you can study offline anytime.