ISTG
4 synonyms for ISTG, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Abbreviation — I swear to God; used in messages to stress that something is true or to signal exasperation.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
I swear
no cap
How to use ISTG
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
ISTG if
ISTG I did
ISTG this
Slang, texting and social media only. Some readers find the phrase itself irreverent, so avoid it in professional writing entirely.
Etymology
An initialism of "I swear to God", popularised through texting and social media.
Full origin of ISTG →Frequently asked questions
What does ISTG mean in a text?
It stands for "I swear to God". Depending on tone it either insists that what follows is true or vents frustration, as in "ISTG this printer hates me".
What is the difference between ISTG and FR?
FR ("for real") confirms or agrees with something, often a reply to someone else. ISTG is a first-person oath about your own statement or feeling, and carries more heat.
Is ISTG rude?
It is casual rather than obscene, but it invokes God, which some people find disrespectful. Keep it to friends and avoid it in work or school writing.
