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: 4.3 (64 votes)

Submitted by OmarHaddad on Sun, 08/10/2023 - 14:48

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I don't like being late. I'm usually come early about five or ten minutes before any gathering to avoid traffic crisis. Also, to show respect for the other person.

Submitted by IreneIMV on Sun, 08/10/2023 - 01:14

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Hello Everyone.
I don't like being late, but I usually do It because I'm a busy person and a little bit unorganized. I need to learn how to manage my time better.

Submitted by Mleko on Fri, 06/10/2023 - 18:35

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Definitely I'm punctual person. Honestly I don't understand people which are still late. And be late is for me something around 10-15 mins.

Hello. Great to red your message. Honestly I'm a unpuntual person. I'm from Latam, where is prety usual to be late around 30 mins. I'm aware that is not well in any way.

Submitted by Zainab Alomary on Fri, 06/10/2023 - 16:52

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I am always on time, sometimes I come before 10 minutes and I hate waiting for someone.
when I respect someone I have to be on time.

Submitted by Ty Pham on Thu, 05/10/2023 - 03:21

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I am rarely late, especially at big events. In Vietnam, the traffic is always bad on a normal day and the traffic gets worse in the evening when people back from work. For these days I may be late a bit. I am aware of that so I try to wake up early in the morning.

Submitted by moonlight on Wed, 04/10/2023 - 10:59

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In the past, I often was late. But now, I always try to come early 5-10 mins because I know nobody wants to wait many times.

Submitted by keiro.98 on Tue, 03/10/2023 - 13:18

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I am often 5-10 minutes late when it's come to meeting or hanging out with my friends, and ironically although being late I am normally the first one who arrive at the meeting spot. I'm fine with people being 5-15 minutes late when it is not an important meeting.

Submitted by helen s on Mon, 02/10/2023 - 17:48

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usually. i am not late.
i always leave myself extra 30 minutes