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

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

Task 2

Task 3

Discussion

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Language level

Average: 4.4 (65 votes)

Submitted by Jala on Wed, 17/02/2021 - 07:42

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Iam usually on time. My meeting if who is late 5-10 mins I accept

Submitted by zohal shuja on Thu, 11/02/2021 - 07:13

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I`m usually late. but I really want to be on time because I don`t like to keep waiting.

Submitted by feroza.hanifi on Wed, 10/02/2021 - 20:26

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being late and on-time more depend on countries culture than individual habituated, for instance, the German nation has specific respected for people who are on-time whatever in personal or career life. but there are also some countries such as developing countries that are not interesting to be on -the time it is a cool subject for everyone as I belong to developing countries but really interested to be on time for my friends and my office if I will be honest there is some memorize from a long time ago, I had a date with my friend to go to a restaurant but unfortunately, I was late for 10 minutes because of a massive traffic.

Submitted by LISI20 on Wed, 10/02/2021 - 19:20

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I´m usually late for everything and I hate that, the problem is that I´m very entertaining, but I´m working on that cause I have been in the waiting part and it is really annoying.

Submitted by zznam on Wed, 10/02/2021 - 17:14

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According to Bill Gates's assistant on the "Inside Bill's brain" film, he is always punctual. He is on time for every single meeting.

Submitted by zznam on Wed, 10/02/2021 - 17:06

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I'm usually late. I often stay late at night, so I often wake up late in the morning, then go to work 15 minutes late. I think one second late is late. You have to arrive before the meeting time. I love to be on time because it shows that I care and respect other people and myself.

Submitted by Victor Hugo Fl… on Sat, 06/02/2021 - 04:31

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NO, I am not usually late for my meetings or appointments regularly I am punctual

Submitted by Brenda Patrici… on Thu, 04/02/2021 - 17:12

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I am always late, for me it is difficult to be on time anywhere, if someone arrives half an hour later, for me that is late.

Submitted by Xalane2022 on Mon, 01/02/2021 - 08:17

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I usually try to be on time. Being on time helps me to go ahead on my schedule.
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Submitted by akash009 on Sun, 31/01/2021 - 13:45

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i dont like to wait for someone. for me it's a painful situation to wait for someone..i always imagine myself in the place of others who is waiting for me