Everyday English · Read, listen and speak
Apologising for Being Late
Apologise for a delay, give a brief explanation and agree on what to do next.
Your speaking goal
Make a clear apology, acknowledge its effect and suggest a practical next step.
Before you start: Imagine arriving ten minutes late to meet a friend. Choose one short, fictional explanation.
Your six-step practice plan
- Understand: Read the goal and check the useful phrases.
- Listen or read: Follow both roles. Audio is optional.
- Repeat: Say one short line at a time, then join the words smoothly.
- Change details: Replace two details with imaginary ones.
- Role-play: Read the other person’s question, cover your reply and answer aloud. Then swap roles.
- Review: Use the “I can” checks below. Repeat any part that still needs help.
Work at your own pace. A clear message matters more than copying a particular accent.
Listen, read and notice
Roles: Jordan and Ravi
Browser-generated English voice; availability and sound vary by device. Use the written dialogue if audio is unavailable.
Jordan: Hi, Ravi. I’m sorry I’m late.
Ravi: Hi. I was starting to wonder where you were.
Jordan: I got on the wrong bus. I should have let you know sooner.
Ravi: Thanks for saying that. I wasn’t sure whether you were still coming.
Jordan: I understand. Next time I’ll send you a message as soon as I know I’m delayed.
Ravi: Thank you. We still have time for a walk.
Jordan: Great. Would you like to start from here?
Ravi: Yes, let’s go through the park.
Jordan: Thanks for waiting.
Ravi: You’re welcome. Let’s get going.
Useful phrases and what they do
- I’m sorry I’m late. — Apologise for arriving after the agreed time.
- I should have let you know sooner. — Acknowledge that telling someone earlier would have been better.
- Thanks for waiting. — Recognise the other person’s time.
- Let’s get going. — Suggest starting or leaving now.
Say it clearly
Say the apology in a short group: ‘I’m sorry / I’m late.’ Pause before your explanation. Keep ‘Thanks for waiting’ clear and unhurried.
Build your own replies
I’m sorry I’m late. ___. Thanks for waiting. → Thank you for letting me know what happened.
Ask and check
Do we still have time, or should we change the plan? → We still have time for a short walk.
Common mistakes and alternatives
Say ‘Sorry I’m late’ or ‘Sorry for being late’, rather than ‘Sorry for late’. ‘I got on the wrong bus’ describes a completed event. You can use the simpler ‘I’m sorry. I’ll message you next time’ if the longer model is difficult.
Check what you understood
Answer aloud before revealing each explanation. Natural replies with the same meaning also count.
Question 1
Why is Jordan late in this dialogue?
Show answer 1 and explanation
Jordan got on the wrong bus. This is the explanation in the model, not an excuse learners need to copy.
Question 2
What does ‘I should have let you know sooner’ acknowledge?
Show answer 2 and explanation
Jordan could have told Ravi about the delay earlier. The statement recognises that Ravi was left waiting without information.
Question 3
Give a short, natural apology for arriving late.
Show answer 3 and explanation
‘I’m sorry I’m late. Thanks for waiting’ works. ‘Sorry for keeping you waiting’ is another natural reply. You can briefly explain what happened without a long excuse.
Your turn: make it a real exchange
Practise alone: read the other person’s line, cover your reply and answer aloud. Then swap roles. No partner is needed.
Role A
Apologise for a fictional delay, acknowledge the wait and check whether the plan needs changing.
Role B
Explain that you were unsure what was happening, then suggest what you can still do.
Make it easier: Keep the model visible and change one detail at a time.
Add a challenge: There is not enough time for the original activity. Acknowledge the problem and agree on a shorter alternative.
Ready to move on?
Try again with less reading. Use these checks and repeat any part that needs more practice.
- I can apologise clearly.
- I can give a brief explanation and acknowledge the wait.
- I can agree on a useful next step.