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 (80 votes)

Submitted by Alexxx.10 on Sun, 30/03/2025 - 12:21

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i always try not to be late

Submitted by yamin1991 on Mon, 24/03/2025 - 16:06

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Are you usually on time or late? How many minutes is ‘late’ for you?

I usually on time but sometimes I’m running 10 minutes late. If I have an important meeting or appointment, I never late.

Submitted by cittàutopica on Sat, 15/03/2025 - 17:25

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I try always on time, or rather I turn up for an appointment before due.

Submitted by jocabed on Thu, 13/03/2025 - 19:43

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I am usually on time. I don't like to keep people waiting for my arrival. I'd say that 15 minutes is late for me. I mean, 10 minutes is okay as a grace period.

Submitted by Doc.0 on Wed, 05/03/2025 - 22:21

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Ever since I was a kid, I had this feeling that I was going to be late whenever I had something important to attend to the next day. It made me nervous that sometimes I would arrive too early.(I was never late)
I think I respect punctuality within a 30-minutes window.

Submitted by Mohanad93 on Mon, 03/03/2025 - 23:16

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appointment is an important thing for me , when you come in the right time for the appointment that's means you are respect and appreciate me

Submitted by ilkaykalkan on Sat, 01/03/2025 - 17:00

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I'm always in there at the rigth time. I calculate everything and I'm never late. Being late is enough for 15 mins. 

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Submitted by SeahorseRadish on Sat, 01/03/2025 - 10:37

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I always try not to be late for any event or routine, because my best friend is usually late, so I know how terrible the waiting is.

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Submitted by YulissaVarela on Sat, 01/03/2025 - 01:02

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I never get lale bcs i like to get early any place I go, and I can´t wait more than 15 minutes for someone who is late. is that bad? LMK what do you think. 

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Submitted by Davevalladares on Thu, 27/02/2025 - 02:25

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I like be on time when a have a date, but the traffic in the city is very heavy. Sometimes arrive a bit later to my dates, dont like that, because the time is very important for everyone.     

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