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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

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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: 4.1 (114 votes)

Submitted by Mya on Thu, 06/06/2019 - 16:01

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I am mostly early person and i hate getting somewhere late. So, i always try to go there on time.

Submitted by Thao Phan on Wed, 05/06/2019 - 07:55

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Recently, I have tried to be on time and I usually get the places 1-5 mins sooner. However, that is late for me. I want to reach there more than 5 mins before meetings start. Sometimes, I become late and it's really bad feeling. Because time of each is valuable so work on time is very important I think.

Submitted by Ali Husin on Mon, 03/06/2019 - 12:28

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I am not getting late to learn english here, right?

Submitted by moaaxali on Tue, 28/05/2019 - 02:22

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It depends... I usually try to reach before the committed time but in some cases very often, I fail to do so. I consider 5 minutes as normal but more than 5 minutes is 'late' for me.

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 26/05/2019 - 22:17

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I'll try to be on time. when I set a time for a meeting or visiting, try to get there 5 or 10 mins sooner. and usually, I will be angry when another person late.
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Submitted by Sandra321 on Mon, 20/05/2019 - 13:46

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I am never late. I have a problem, that I am very soon everywhere. I think, that the delay is very irresponsible and unacceptably.

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 20/05/2019 - 03:21

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I usually try to be on time;but I usually late. In my opinion, five minutes is late, specially for someone who is waiting.

Submitted by Aram63 on Sun, 19/05/2019 - 01:14

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It is very important for me to be on time,specially if it is about important meeting. But sometimes we can’t control things and it is just happening. I consider 15 mins as a delay.

Submitted by Haseena fazal on Sat, 18/05/2019 - 12:01

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I’m usually on times. But sometimes i run late, for me 5-15 is late

Submitted by Ahmadbassam on Wed, 15/05/2019 - 14:30

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i am usually on time . 15 mins is late for me