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  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?

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Language level

A1 Elementary
Average: 4.3 (64 votes)
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Submitted by thutchaik on Thu, 22/08/2019 - 17:32

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When I have an appointment with others at the place that I have never gone before, I usually late for 10-15 minutes due to I cannot estimate the travel time. In my opinion, being late means arriving not after the appointed time. However, it is acceptable if it is not more than 15 minutes late.

Submitted by Huyen on Tue, 13/08/2019 - 15:42

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I'm usually on time. I don't like late people because they let me wait. It's a waste of time waiting. For me, 10-15 min is late.

Submitted by Altynbek on Wed, 07/08/2019 - 07:21

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Did ypu really have the level Beginner? How???

Submitted by Toanrt on Tue, 06/08/2019 - 15:20

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I always on time. 15mins is late for me i hate late people

Submitted by Bichthao on Tue, 06/08/2019 - 08:58

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I am usually on time when I meet other people. I think being on time is a way to show my respect to my partners.

Submitted by Hazrati on Mon, 29/07/2019 - 09:27

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I'm, usually on time, but there is a lot of problems at Kabul city in the traffic system. drivers not obeying the traffic low, for this reason, sometime I'm arriving late to my office.

Submitted by cittàutopica on Tue, 23/07/2019 - 19:58

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I'm usually on time, rather I'm early, because I think to be late is a way of respect towards people. I think to be late is about ten mins, but it depends on the various situations.

Submitted by ali328 on Tue, 23/07/2019 - 06:24

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I'm usually on time. I try to be on time.

Submitted by Sooraj on Sun, 21/07/2019 - 12:03

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Hi, Please advise why we don't want to use an article after Had on the below sentence. We had nice weather on Sunday for our trip to the coast. Thanks Sooraj.
Profile picture for user Kirk Moore

Submitted by Kirk Moore on Tue, 23/07/2019 - 12:48

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Hello Sooraj

'weather' is an uncountable noun. We don't use indefinite articles before uncountable nouns and a definite article is probably not appropriate here, unless you've already mentioned the specific weather you had on Sunday.

All the best

Kirk

The LearnEnglish Team