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  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

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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)
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Submitted by MammadovAnar on Sun, 02/08/2020 - 11:02

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I try to come to the appointment places on time. I do not like to be late, sometimes I come 5-10 minutes early. I can wait for a maximum of 10-15 minutes someone.

Submitted by AMANI148 on Sat, 01/08/2020 - 22:47

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Yes, I usually on the time. and I hate if another people are late!

Submitted by Junnie Phyu on Sat, 01/08/2020 - 06:58

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I am a puntual person. I do not like people who is late. 15mins late is my limit.

Submitted by Andrea Hernandez on Fri, 31/07/2020 - 18:40

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Some years ago I was all the time on time, but in the last year I'm late most of the time. I know that it's a bad habit and when you have to wait for somebody it isn't good. So I want to change and maybe I'll try to arrive before or on time.

Submitted by Bieltan on Thu, 30/07/2020 - 11:17

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I try to be usually on time, but nowadays the rythm of our lifestyle are so speedy and fleeting that's why sometime you have to be late. If i run late i'll try to do all my best to late not more than on 15 minutes.
Profile picture for user EWS

Submitted by EWS on Thu, 30/07/2020 - 03:10

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I hate be late. Better come in half hour earlier than be late.

Submitted by Milena1 on Mon, 27/07/2020 - 21:34

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Waiting for a person is horrible, but on many occasions I am usually 5 minutes late because I don't have a car and the subway in my country (Venezuela) is always very late.

Submitted by Mai Khin Nway Shein on Sun, 26/07/2020 - 17:19

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I hate those people makes me wait but I'm also late sometimes.

Submitted by IZakaria84 on Fri, 24/07/2020 - 14:27

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I usually try my best to be on time but some times I am late because of the traffic. For me 20 minutes is late.

Submitted by Jaouad on Fri, 17/07/2020 - 23:03

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In all my meeting I'm attending on time or even before the that, usually I don't like to make people waiting form and I also hate people who are not coming on time