Reddit, the self-proclaimed “front page of the internet,” is a massive online community where users share and discuss content on a vast range of topics. One of the ways users can add emphasis, humor, or sarcasm to their posts and comments is by using formatting options, including the ability to cross out text, also known as strikethrough. While Reddit’s formatting system, known as Markdown, can seem a bit cryptic at first, crossing out text on the Android app is quite straightforward once you know the trick. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the steps, explain the underlying Markdown syntax, and offer some creative ways to use strikethrough in your Reddit interactions.
Why Use Strikethrough on Reddit?
Before diving into the how-to, let’s consider why you might want to cross out text in the first place. Strikethrough can be used for several purposes:
- Sarcasm: Indicate that you don’t really mean what you’re saying. For example, “This movie was ~amazing~ terrible.”
- Humor: Create a humorous effect by crossing out something unexpected. “I’m a professional ~dancer~ programmer.”
- Corrections: Show that you’re correcting a mistake without deleting the original text. “I meant to say 10 ~dollars~ euros.”
- Emphasis: Subtly emphasize a point by crossing out a contrasting idea. “We should go left, or ~right~ straight ahead.”
- Mocking: Gently mock an idea or statement. “He thinks he’s ~the smartest person in the world~ pretty smart.”
- Spoiler Alerts (with context): While dedicated spoiler tags are preferable, you can use strikethrough (with proper warning) to obscure potentially revealing information, especially in casual comments. “Okay, so the twist is ~that Darth Vader is Luke’s father~.” (Remember to always provide a clear warning before the strikethrough!)
Using strikethrough effectively can enhance your communication on Reddit and make your posts and comments more engaging.
How to Cross Out Text on Reddit Android: The Step-by-Step Guide
The process of crossing out text on Reddit using the Android app involves using a specific Markdown symbol. Here’s a detailed, step-by-step guide:
- Open the Reddit App: Launch the official Reddit app on your Android device.
- Navigate to the Post or Comment: Find the post or comment section where you want to use strikethrough. This could be a new post you’re creating, a comment you’re adding to an existing post, or an edit to one of your previous comments.
- Start Typing Your Text: Begin writing your message as you normally would.
- Use the Tilde (~) Symbol: This is the key to crossing out text on Reddit. To strikethrough a word or phrase, you need to enclose it within two tilde symbols (~~) on each side.
- Example: Let’s say you want to cross out the word “example.” You would type:
~~example~~ - More Complex Example: To cross out the phrase “This is a test,” you would type:
~~This is a test~~ - Combining with Other Formatting: You can combine strikethrough with other Markdown formatting options. However, be mindful of how they interact, as unexpected results can occur.
- Post or Comment: Once you’ve added the tilde symbols around the text you want to cross out, finish writing your message and tap the “Post” or “Comment” button.
- Preview (If Available): Some Reddit apps or third-party apps may offer a preview feature. Use it to double-check that the strikethrough is working as expected before posting. If the official app doesn’t offer a preview, consider using a browser-based Reddit Markdown editor for testing.
That’s it! The text between the tilde symbols will now appear with a line through it, effectively crossing it out.
Understanding Reddit Markdown: The Tilde Symbol
Reddit uses a simplified version of Markdown, a lightweight markup language that allows you to format text using plain text symbols. The tilde (~) symbol is the specific Markdown element that Reddit uses to create strikethrough text.
Here’s a breakdown:
- Single Tilde: A single tilde symbol on its own typically won’t do anything special.
- Double Tildes: Two tilde symbols (~~) are required at the beginning and end of the text you want to cross out.
- Spacing: The tilde symbols should be directly adjacent to the text you want to format. Adding spaces between the tildes and the text can prevent the strikethrough from working. For example,
~~ text ~~will likely not work, while~~text~~will. - Nested Formatting: Be careful when nesting strikethrough with other Markdown elements like bold or italics, as the results can be unpredictable depending on the Reddit app or platform you’re using. Testing is key!
Troubleshooting Strikethrough Issues on Reddit Android
Sometimes, the strikethrough formatting might not work as expected. Here are some common issues and how to troubleshoot them:
- Missing Tildes: The most common mistake is forgetting to add two tilde symbols at both the beginning and the end of the text you want to cross out. Double-check that you have
~~text~~and not just~text~or~~text. - Spacing Issues: Make sure there are no spaces between the tilde symbols and the text.
~~ text~~or~~text ~~will not work. It must be~~text~~. - Incorrect Symbol: Ensure you’re using the correct tilde (~) symbol. Sometimes, users accidentally use a similar-looking symbol, which won’t produce the desired strikethrough effect. The tilde is usually found on the same key as the backtick (`), often requiring you to press the Shift key.
- Platform Variations: While Reddit generally uses the same Markdown syntax across platforms, slight variations might occur in how different apps or websites render the formatting. If you’re experiencing issues on the Android app, try viewing the same post or comment on the Reddit website to see if the strikethrough appears correctly there.
- App Bugs: In rare cases, bugs in the Reddit app itself can cause formatting issues. Ensure you’re using the latest version of the app. If the problem persists, try clearing the app’s cache or reinstalling it.
- Third-Party Apps: If you’re using a third-party Reddit app, be aware that its Markdown implementation might differ slightly from the official app. Consult the app’s documentation or help resources for specific formatting instructions.
- Character Encoding: Though rare, character encoding issues can sometimes interfere with Markdown rendering. Try retyping the tilde symbols to ensure they’re correctly encoded.
If you’ve tried all these troubleshooting steps and the strikethrough still isn’t working, it’s possible there’s an unusual issue with the specific post or comment you’re working on. In such cases, you can try posting the same text in a different context to see if the problem persists.
Creative Uses of Strikethrough on Reddit
Beyond the basic uses of sarcasm and corrections, strikethrough can be employed creatively to enhance your Reddit presence. Here are some ideas:
- Interactive Storytelling: In collaborative writing or role-playing subreddits, you can use strikethrough to show alternate possibilities or discarded ideas in a story.
- Debate and Argumentation: When responding to an argument, use strikethrough to highlight the flaws in your opponent’s reasoning, but do so respectfully. For instance, “They claim ~all cats are evil~ some cats exhibit behaviors that some humans find undesirable.”
- Irony and Understatement: Employ strikethrough to create ironic or understated effects. “The traffic was ~a breeze~ utterly gridlocked.”
- Wordplay and Puns: Combine strikethrough with wordplay for humorous effect. “I’m reading a book about anti-gravity. It’s impossible to ~put down~ stop levitating once you start reading.”
- Highlighting Changes: When updating a post or comment, use strikethrough to indicate the text that has been removed, making it clear what has been changed.
- Creating Suspense: Use strikethrough to build suspense before revealing a key piece of information. “The killer was… ~wait for it~… the butler!” (Again, use spoiler tags where appropriate.)
Remember to use strikethrough judiciously. Overusing it can make your posts difficult to read and can detract from your message. The key is to use it strategically to add emphasis, humor, or clarity.
Strikethrough and Accessibility
While strikethrough can be a useful formatting tool, it’s important to consider its impact on accessibility. Users with visual impairments who rely on screen readers might not be able to easily discern the meaning behind strikethrough text. Screen readers may simply read the text as is, without indicating that it’s crossed out.
Therefore, when using strikethrough, it’s a good practice to provide alternative cues to convey your intended meaning. For example:
- Add Explanatory Text: Instead of just using strikethrough for sarcasm, you could add a parenthetical note: “This movie was ~amazing~ (sarcasm: it was terrible).”
- Use Alternative Formatting: Consider using other formatting options, such as italics or bold text, to emphasize your point in a way that’s more accessible.
- Provide Context: Ensure that the context of your message makes it clear why you’re using strikethrough. This can help users understand your intended meaning even if they can’t visually see the strikethrough effect.
By being mindful of accessibility, you can ensure that your Reddit posts are inclusive and understandable to all users.
Beyond Strikethrough: Other Reddit Formatting Options
Strikethrough is just one of the many formatting options available on Reddit. Mastering other Markdown elements can significantly enhance your communication skills on the platform.
Here are some other common Reddit formatting options:
- Bold Text: Enclose text in double asterisks (**) to make it bold. For example,
**This is bold text.** - Italic Text: Enclose text in single asterisks (*) to make it italic. For example,
*This is italic text.* - Headings: Use hash symbols (#) at the beginning of a line to create headings. The number of hash symbols determines the heading level. For example,
# Heading 1,## Heading 2,### Heading 3. - Lists: Create unordered lists using asterisks (*) or hyphens (-) at the beginning of each line. Create ordered lists using numbers followed by a period.
- Links: Create links using square brackets for the link text and parentheses for the URL. For example,
[Reddit](https://www.reddit.com). - Code Blocks: Enclose code in backticks (`) for inline code or use four spaces at the beginning of each line for a multiline code block.
- Quotes: Use the greater-than symbol (>) at the beginning of a line to create a block quote.
- Tables: Creating tables in Reddit Markdown can be a bit more complex, but it’s possible. Use hyphens (-) to create the header row and vertical bars (|) to separate columns.
- Superscript: Use the caret (^) symbol before a character to make it superscript. For example,
x^2. - Spoiler Tags: Use
>!Spoiler text!<to hide spoiler text. This is generally preferred over strikethrough for hiding spoilers.
Experimenting with these different formatting options can help you create more engaging and informative Reddit posts and comments.
Conclusion
Crossing out text on Reddit using the Android app is a simple process that can add a layer of nuance and humor to your online interactions. By understanding the Markdown syntax, troubleshooting common issues, and exploring creative uses of strikethrough, you can become a more effective communicator on the platform. Remember to use strikethrough judiciously and be mindful of accessibility considerations. And don't forget to explore the other formatting options available on Reddit to further enhance your posts and comments. Happy Redditing!