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 (72 votes)
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Submitted by rjduraes on Wed, 12/07/2023 - 16:27

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Hi,
I'm trying to arrive early in my appointments, but sometimes I arrived late.
So I need to be more punctual.

Submitted by MarlaSun on Mon, 10/07/2023 - 12:21

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I usually be on time. I don't want people to have to wait for me, so I try not to be late.

In the same way, it bothers me a little when people makes me wait for them when we meet up. I really appreciate that they are punctual.

For me, more than 5 or 10 minutes late means already 'late'.

Submitted by sebrojas on Thu, 29/06/2023 - 15:04

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Well for me be on late is like 15 mins

Submitted by Matthias78 on Thu, 29/06/2023 - 13:47

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Always different, i am sometimes late or not.It depends on many factors.
For me, being 10 minutes late is considered late.

Submitted by Abdallah Ali A… on Sun, 25/06/2023 - 06:13

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Actuly i usuallay late ,for me , the delay after 10 minutes after the appointment

Submitted by tolubaykyzydilnaz on Fri, 23/06/2023 - 21:42

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this is my first comment in this site and i hope that my english level is improvements.

Submitted by Nghi on Tue, 20/06/2023 - 05:01

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I often go to the date on time; sometimes I'm also late. I am late because that day has a traffic jam. But I usually want to be a punctual person. I think if I am on time for any appointment, I show respect to my partner.

Profile picture for user stason

Submitted by stason on Sun, 18/06/2023 - 20:13

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I never late ! Because i'm punctual man and i don't like to be late. Every day i make my plan for the day and copmplete the tags. Do you make your every day plans? Ok, today is my first time i'm writing here and I'm fearing to make mistakes .

Submitted by ericksm on Fri, 16/06/2023 - 02:27

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It's depends of the day, but i usually on time. For me late is more than 5 minutes

Submitted by Franky Kyaw Zin on Mon, 12/06/2023 - 15:42

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I never be late when I go to my office because I always get up early in the morning, prepare what I need to go there before I sleep. Therefore, my colleagues and manager usually appreciate and trust me for this habit.