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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Worksheet96.32 KB

Language level

Average: 4.3 (64 votes)
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Submitted by Ivy Tran on Mon, 26/09/2022 - 11:40

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I'm usually in time or early , but sometime I stuck in traffic jam, I don't like to let people waiting for me.

I'm usually on time person,but its really irritating for me because most of the time, other people who I have meeting with them running late and I have to wait for them.

Submitted by fun_21 on Sun, 25/09/2022 - 16:43

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Uh, it maybe sound strange, but actually it depends on my mood that day. if I'm in good mood, I'll make a plan for the next day so that I can be there in advance. If not, I definitely will be late.

Submitted by Patriper on Wed, 21/09/2022 - 21:00

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I'm a punctual person, most of the time.
I think 5 or 10 mins its ok if you have to wait for someone but if we talk about work it can be a big problem to be late.

Submitted by J-Castle on Tue, 20/09/2022 - 09:44

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I agree with my partners, I am a person that I like being punctual, arriving on time even with extra time to prevent any mishap. This subject is a continuous argue (bust-up) with my daughters every morning before leaving to the school, they are always running late

Submitted by minal786 on Sat, 17/09/2022 - 14:09

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I am usually 15 minutes earlier before the appointment time because life is full of uncertainties and anything can happen and make me late so i try to be early.

Submitted by Mocosilla on Thu, 15/09/2022 - 06:52

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I’m tried to be on time as much as I can, because the time of all is value. So I guess, yes I’m usually on time. For me if your not on the place o’clock are late.

Submitted by berkayak on Sun, 11/09/2022 - 08:47

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I am usually not late, at least I try to say it before if I am going to be late so that the other person can arrange his/her time accordingly.
It depends on the context. If we arrange the meeting days before, then being late for hours cannot be late.

Submitted by zo_fia on Wed, 07/09/2022 - 03:39

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I'm not usually late. I'm always on time.For me, 15 mins is late.