1. Skills
  2. Writing
  3. A1 writing
  4. A message to say you're late

A message to say you're late

A young woman texts on her phone

Learn how to write text messages to tell a friend you're going to be late.

Do the preparation task first. Then read the text and tips and do the exercises.

Preparation

Grouping_MjI1OTg=

Reading text

Aziz

online

I'm running 10 mins late, sorry!

15:57

No problem!

15:58

Aargh! Traffic is really bad. I'll be more than 10 mins late now, sorry again!!

16:07

It's OK, don't worry. I'm in the café already so it's fine

16:08

This is not my day! I'm here but can't find a place to park. I'm looking for a different car park. Not sure how long I'll be

16:09

OK, LMK when you find a place

16:11

I might get something to eat tho

16:11

Of course! I'll be as quick as I can

16:13

OK!

16:13

Found one! Be there in 10 mins

16:16

Well done! See you soon

16:16

Thx for waiting

16:17

Tips

1. You don't need to write complete sentences for text messages.

2. Use abbreviations like LMK (= let me know) or use emojis to save time writing.

3. You don't need to use full stops (.) at the end of messages.

4. Say how many minutes you think you'll need, e.g. I'm running 10 minutes late.

5. It’s good to say sorry and sorry again, but you don't need to say sorry in every message.

Task 1

Exercise

Task 2

Exercise

Task 3

Exercise

Discussion

Are you usually on time or late? How many minutes is ‘late’ for you?

Download
Worksheet96.32 KB
Try another writing

Language level

A1 Elementary
Average: 4.3 (72 votes)
Hello dw3222 Yes, you can say 'I might be ...' instead of 'I will be ...', but it means something different. It means that it is possible that you will be late instead. With 'will' you are saying you're sure you're going to be late. All the best Kirk The LearnEnglish Team

Submitted by saydin on Sat, 04/05/2019 - 07:04

Permalink
I am always on time. Every minute important for me. Even, I always try to early come.

Submitted by lengoclam on Thu, 02/05/2019 - 14:51

Permalink
I am usually on time. For me, "late" mean you come after exactly the time you said before.

Submitted by Setareh on Mon, 29/04/2019 - 03:45

Permalink
I am usually late , I think 5 mins is late because, time goes on very slowly for someone that waiting, and very fast for someone that is late.
Profile picture for user conan-ku

Submitted by conan-ku on Sat, 27/04/2019 - 16:43

Permalink
Unfortunately, I am usually late, and most of the time about 15 to 30 minutes. I think this is happening because I am always getting ready in the last minutes and sometimes things missed up.
Profile picture for user Rafaela1

Submitted by Rafaela1 on Sat, 27/04/2019 - 09:31

Permalink
It depends on formal or informal meetings. m(_ _)m ＼(^o^)／

Submitted by Hang_Nga on Thu, 25/04/2019 - 15:33

Permalink
I always have a sense to go to work on time but i used to be late several times because i had got a problem on my way to work.

Submitted by linhview on Tue, 16/04/2019 - 09:53

Permalink
Dear British Council, Please guide me to do" Writing A1: A message to say you're late – preparation"? I don't add other answers in groups, I can only put 1 answer in correct groups. I wait feeback form you!. Thanks
Hello linhview I'm sorry this was confusing. You have to always move the words by clicking or pressing on the small white hands in the top right corner of the word boxes. For example, if you already moved 'Sorry!' into the second box and you want to move 'I'm running late' to the box, you must click on the small hand in the top corner of the 'I'm running late' box and then you must click on the small hand in the top corner of the 'Sorry!' box. Then it should move there. It sounds difficult but is quite easy once you see how it works. Please let us know if you have any more trouble with this, and sorry for the inconvenience! All the best Kirk The LearnEnglish Team