A message to say you're late

A message to say you're late

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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Language level

Average: 4.3 (43 votes)

Submitted by nadyanightingale on Tue, 29/03/2022 - 19:16

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I'm running 15 mins late! Sorry!!
No problem! LMK when you take the last bus.
Fine! Thank you for waiting!

Submitted by Alien speaker on Mon, 28/03/2022 - 18:45

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I usually ready on time and I don't like people who arrive late, I mean if you have a meeting and you need to take your time to more activities it's ok but respect the others time, get up earlier, be faster doing things, leaves house 5 minutes before but don't be late.

Submitted by Moh18 on Sun, 27/03/2022 - 13:49

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every day I get up at 6:00 am, and always I leave home 10 mins at late, this delay causes me to drive fast

Submitted by AMArq on Mon, 21/03/2022 - 18:09

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For appointments I usually be on time. But sometimes I'm late because of the traffic jams.

Submitted by Laura Ruiz on Fri, 18/03/2022 - 05:13

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I usually on time, but when I am late it's because there is a traffic jam or something like that.
Regards.

Submitted by VanMinh on Sat, 05/03/2022 - 13:29

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I'm rarely late for class. I say sorry to my teacher when I'm late for class. I just late less than 10 mins. ( I have been learning English for 4 months ago, so If I have mistakes please correct those mistakes for me. Thanks a lot ).

Hello VanMinh,

I'm afraid we don't provide corrections of our users' texts, though if there's a specific phrase or sentence you want to ask us about, we can usually help with that. Your last sentence, for example, has a small error -- I'd recommend 'I'm less than 10 mins late' or 'If I'm late, it's usually less than 10 mins late'.

All the best,
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team

Submitted by haroonsateer on Tue, 01/03/2022 - 12:14

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I am usually on time for the important and urgent issues, but mostly I am late for unimportant and non-urgent matters. Sometimes being late has it's benefit such as paying late for dinner whenever a friend is with you.

Submitted by GloStar22 on Sat, 26/02/2022 - 19:55

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I usually be on time for my dates, but when I have arrived late, that situation is embarrassing for me. I explain to the person I´ll see, and express my apologies. For me ten minutes its to late.

Submitted by zubeir on Tue, 22/02/2022 - 08:07

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I'm always punctual but sometimes I may be 5 mins late, due to sleeping late.