1. Skills
  2. Writing
  3. A1 writing
  4. A message to say you're late

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

Grouping_MjI1OTg=

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

Exercise

Task 2

Exercise

Task 3

Exercise

Discussion

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

Download
Worksheet96.32 KB
Try another writing

Language level

A1 Elementary
Average: 4.3 (72 votes)
Do you need to improve your English writing skills?
Join thousands of learners from around the world who are improving their English writing skills with our live online classes and personal tutoring courses.
Find out more

Submitted by Hilma on Mon, 10/02/2020 - 21:35

Permalink
I usually do my best to Come on Time. But with my two children it is not Always possible to be punctual. I hate waiting for a person, After 10 minutes i get very angry.
Profile picture for user Hoàng Nhung

Submitted by Hoàng Nhung on Wed, 05/02/2020 - 07:23

Permalink
I am always on time

Submitted by Eswar on Wed, 05/02/2020 - 06:36

Permalink
Hello iam usually On time. but today too Much traffic And then late arrival of bus Got late. I will try come by on time Next time onwards.

Submitted by wcyam10 on Mon, 03/02/2020 - 08:45

Permalink
I'm usually on time. For me, 5 mins is consider later. I do not like to wait for others and hence I try not to let others wait for me. If the person is late for whatever reason, I will have a bad impression on him/her. I do not take alarm clock has no battery or bad traffic this morning as a proper excuse. I would rather he/she tell me that he/she is very ill and unable to show up and he/she have to make sure that he/she will provide me the medical certificate during our next meet up.

Submitted by Moatz Ezzat on Mon, 27/01/2020 - 11:39

Permalink
to be honest, it depends on who um meeting with. Because there're some ppl i hate to meet them but, I have to so i do it on purpose.

Submitted by Ammar AL-Gilani on Sun, 26/01/2020 - 21:46

Permalink
It depends on the one who is I'm meeting. If this person is committed to time, I'll do the same. and I always come before the time that we agreed to meet.

Submitted by Vidyasagar on Fri, 24/01/2020 - 03:21

Permalink
hi, i'm running 10 mins late. i woke up late and also the traffic is very bad. will be there as soon as i can.

Submitted by MaryaSun on Mon, 20/01/2020 - 14:02

Permalink
i am usually such in time. I don't like to be in late ad i hate to wait someone. I think that it is very important to be in time, everytime. For me, 5 minutes of waiting is "late"

Submitted by smga22 on Thu, 16/01/2020 - 06:04

Permalink
I'm always on time. However, I'm running 20 mins late today.