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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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Worksheet96.32 KB
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Language level

A1 Elementary
Average: 4.3 (64 votes)

Submitted by Mahfuzur Rahman on Wed, 11/09/2019 - 06:25

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Always, I'm on time. "Late coming" is not in my dictionary.

Submitted by ahmad enabosey on Tue, 10/09/2019 - 16:23

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I used to be always on time . i hate people who late because they waste my time waiting . more than 5 mins mean that you disrespect me
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Submitted by Jamilmakawi on Wed, 04/09/2019 - 12:37

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I used to be always on time. 10 Minutes is more than enough to wait somebody if he is too late.
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Submitted by Dieudonné on Mon, 02/09/2019 - 19:57

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I am used to already be in time but most of my friends still come late during our meetings. I think it is not a good character.
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Submitted by ValeriaGutierrez on Mon, 02/09/2019 - 18:02

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I'm usually on time, although when I'm late it should be no more than 15 minutes. I don't have any problem of waiting when people are late, but I get annoyed if it's more than 30 minutes.
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Submitted by Smiley1 on Sat, 31/08/2019 - 15:16

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I usually on time in business, yet sometimes late when I'm in a state of flow... ;)

Submitted by aliyazdan on Sat, 31/08/2019 - 14:27

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I'm usually on time person, but sometimes because of heavy terrafic, I'm late. Send a message is a good idea when we are late.

Submitted by sangeeta kumari on Wed, 28/08/2019 - 11:24

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i am usually reach office on time but sometimes due to heavy traffic or metro glitch i reach office late.

Submitted by tamtranvn on Tue, 27/08/2019 - 09:35

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I am rarely late when going somewhere. I usually prepare things needed before going. But when I stuck in traffic jam, I also am late around 10 minutes.