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  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

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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?

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Language level

A1 Elementary
Average: 4.3 (72 votes)

Submitted by ali328 on Tue, 23/07/2019 - 06:24

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I'm usually on time. I try to be on time.

Submitted by Sooraj on Sun, 21/07/2019 - 12:03

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Hi, Please advise why we don't want to use an article after Had on the below sentence. We had nice weather on Sunday for our trip to the coast. Thanks Sooraj.
Profile picture for user Kirk Moore

Submitted by Kirk Moore on Tue, 23/07/2019 - 12:48

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Hello Sooraj

'weather' is an uncountable noun. We don't use indefinite articles before uncountable nouns and a definite article is probably not appropriate here, unless you've already mentioned the specific weather you had on Sunday.

All the best

Kirk

The LearnEnglish Team

Submitted by brago on Sat, 20/07/2019 - 21:26

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Are you usually on time or late? How many minutes is ‘late’ for you? I usually arrive on time because I consider it a way of showing respect to my pairs. For me, being late means 10 to 15 minutes of delay.

Submitted by Lameed Mohamed on Fri, 19/07/2019 - 22:49

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Unfortionnately iam be late in most of my meetings but everytime iam try to fix this problem so i'll never been late in the future .. When you're running 30 mins ite late to me ..

Submitted by ayusisi on Fri, 19/07/2019 - 12:34

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I'm punctual to attend some meeting or want to meet someone else. I usually prepare everything before I go somewhere. But I have late to meeting with my friend because the traffic was really bad. But I am aware that this is my mistakes and need to go early.

Submitted by Julia Rahma on Thu, 18/07/2019 - 03:37

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Im sure im a punctual. Just a bit moment im being late when going to school. About 10 mins more are late for me. It's depend of situation, if i have more time maybe i will tolerate that.

Submitted by bing1970 on Mon, 15/07/2019 - 06:38

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I'm late for work sometimes because of the bad traffic. Now in summer holiday many roads are fixed so it will take more time on every day driving to work.

Submitted by Ants on Sat, 13/07/2019 - 02:58

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Somebody wants to be practicing together? I am searching a friend to practice with. Contact me xxxxxxxxxxxx

Hello Ants

I'm afraid that our House Rules do not allow you to share personal information, which is why yours has been deleted here. Sorry! You might want to check out our Facebook page for this sort of thing.

All the best

Kirk

The LearnEnglish Team