[General] You might send me messages and I'll reply to you as soon as possible

[Silverobama]

Hi teachers.

A friend online asked me if I had some time to chat with her in English. At that time I was having lunch and later I would teach my students online. I didn't want to offend her so I said "You might send me messages and I'll reply to you as soon as possible". I wanted to tell her that "Now I don't have time but you can send me messages and when I'm free I'll reply to you soon".

I wonder if my italic sentence is natural.

 

[Rover_KE]

I'd say "You can send me messages and I'll reply as soon as I'm free."

 

[Silverobama]

I'd say "You can send me messages and I'll reply as soon as I'm free."

Hi teachers. I still have two questions about this sentence. I wonder which one is better "You can send me a message" or "You can send me messages". I think I'd say "messages" because "a message" sounds like my friend is going to send me one message but obviously I hope my friend can send me messages as she wants. Also, will it be better to say "You can leave me messages......"

 

[emsr2d2]

This would also work:

You could send me a message. I'll reply when I have time.

 

[GoesStation]

I wonder which one is better "You can send me a message" or "You can send me messages". I think I'd say "messages" because "a message" sounds like my friend is going to send me one message but obviously I hope my friend can send me messages as she wants. Also, [STRIKE]will[/STRIKE] would it be better to say "You can leave me messages......"

As you noted (and I emphasized above), the indefinite article clearly asks your friend to send you a single message. That's not what you want.

You'd say "You can leave me messages" if you wanted your friend to leave you voice mail, not texts.

 

[Silverobama]

As you noted (and I emphasized above), the indefinite article clearly asks your friend to send you a single message. That's not what you want.

You'd say "You can leave me messages" if you wanted your friend to leave you voice mail, not texts.

I see. It's very helpful. So, if I say "You can send me messages" this means "You can send a couple of text messages", right?

 

[GoesStation]

[STRIKE]It's[/STRIKE] That's very helpful. So, if I say "You can send me messages" this means "You can send a couple of text messages", right?

Not exactly. "A couple of" means "about two". "Messages" could mean a couple of messages; it could mean a billion messages. All it says is more than one message.

 

[Silverobama]

Please correct me if I'm wrong.

If I want my friend to send me more than one message, I'd use Rover's version. If I want her to send me just one, I'd use Ems' version. And if I want her to leave me voice message, I'd say "You can leave me a message/leave me messages".

Am I right?

 

[GoesStation]

Please correct me if I'm wrong.

If I want my friend to send me more than one message, I'd use Rover's version. If I want her to send me just one, I'd use Ems' version. And if I want her to leave me voice message, I'd say "You can leave me a message/leave me messages".

Am I right?

Yes.

 

[emsr2d2]

I'd probably say "You can/could send me a message" even if I expected more than one message to come through. If I definitely expected more than one, I might say "You could message/text/email me".

I wouldn't use "You could send me messages".

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

I'd say message, singular: Send me a message. I'll answer it later.


PS - I can't open my Notifications tab, so I'm answering here: I'm well. I don't need a face mask. Thanks!