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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

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?

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Worksheet96.32 KB
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Language level

A1 Elementary
Average: 4.3 (64 votes)
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Submitted by c.lopes23 on Wed, 13/05/2020 - 00:57

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Yes, I'm usually on time

Submitted by Kiomars on Sat, 09/05/2020 - 19:01

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i have already gone to work on time but now i became lazy, thus here is problem such the traffic and the time of work, note: I do not know, do all of comments check with EnglishTeam or no? if they check it is better, now i might made a mistake but i do not know. tnx

Hello Alinazar,

We read every comment on the site before we publish them, but we do not correct the language of the comments. We're a small team here so we can't offer that service. We try to answer all the questions we get and provide explanations to clarify things for our users.

 

Peter

The LearnEnglish Team

Submitted by Ali86 on Fri, 08/05/2020 - 10:57

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I always late at my work . I havr bad habit to start late at the end .i am quite late to find this osm content of learning .

Submitted by adrianjt on Fri, 08/05/2020 - 08:39

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It depends but there were times I was late when I go to work because of the traffic.
Profile picture for user Enas Almzoghi

Submitted by Enas Almzoghi on Thu, 07/05/2020 - 03:07

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Today my mum was waiting for me 15 mints when she saw me she made it very clear to me that I have arrived on time whenever we meet.

Submitted by Nam on Mon, 04/05/2020 - 07:05

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This morning today, I was late ten minutes because I forget my key in my apartment. Therefore, I must come back to take my keys.

Submitted by hieu on Sun, 03/05/2020 - 04:41

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I don't like anyone who has to wait. I know It will extremely terrible. But if to have this case, probably 15 minutes is much.
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Submitted by Elhamshojaei on Fri, 01/05/2020 - 13:08

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most of the time, I am on time. It's very important to me.I think if you respect somebody who is waiting you, you should be on time.