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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

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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Language level

A1 Elementary
Average: 4.3 (64 votes)
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Submitted by cielo on Fri, 09/10/2020 - 14:35

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I always arraive 5 mins early. 'late' is 10 minites for me.

Submitted by Eyasin Arafat on Fri, 09/10/2020 - 02:57

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Ah! actually I don't like to be late. I don't want that somebody will wait for me and waste his or her valuable time. To be honest, being late in meeting, class or appointment is a very bad habit. But sometimes, it also occurred by me but I try to attend on time and notice to the subject person and pardon in case of being late.

Submitted by Victor Hugo Fl… on Thu, 08/10/2020 - 21:19

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IF I DO I AM PUNCTUAL FOR MY APPOINTMENTS MORE THAN 5 MINUTES IS LATE

Submitted by fais_4al on Wed, 07/10/2020 - 16:31

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well, usually i try my best to be on time but unfortunately time has never been in my favor but if i would be late to an appointment it would take approximately ten to fifteen minutes , and i won't have a parking problem because i go almost everywhere with uber drive , so i do not have that tension on the contrary it is very helpful .

Submitted by Cris.2023 on Tue, 06/10/2020 - 21:48

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I like be on time because be late bring me problems.

Submitted by Nurieta on Tue, 06/10/2020 - 15:40

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I usually arrive on time. I don´t like wait for people that always arrive late.

Submitted by Moon Wathan on Tue, 06/10/2020 - 10:51

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I am usually on time because I am doing ahead everything. I don't like a person who is late

Submitted by habibao.medo on Tue, 06/10/2020 - 08:56

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usually i am the one who arrive early and wait for others , but when i am late iam trying to be quick as i can

Submitted by SALA on Thu, 01/10/2020 - 14:08

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Usually I try to respect my appointment and I don't let people waiting me. May be I arrive early .