“I'm running about ten minutes late, so go ahead and start without me.”
B1 · Intermediate9 minPhrases
When you need this
Ten minutes late is not a crisis. It's a small, normal part of working with people. What matters is that nobody sits in a meeting room wondering where you are. A short message before the start time says three things: you're coming, roughly when, and whether they should wait.
Notice the tense people use. "I'm running late" is present continuous because it's happening right now and it's temporary. "I'm late" sounds final, as if the damage is done. And when you arrive, keep the apology short. One "sorry for the wait" is polite; a long story about the bus makes the delay feel bigger than it was.
Phrases
the standard, calm way to warn people
you've left and you're coming now
your best guess at an arrival time
something delayed you; you don't need to explain more
your car or bus can't move
a delay that isn't your fault
tells people not to wait
asks a coworker to keep a place for you
you'll join the meeting by phone while traveling
the short apology when you arrive
arriving with almost no time to spare
a coworker promises to tell you what you missed
Say it out loud
Tap a sentence to hear it. Say it after the voice.
Practice · 3 min
Say the line that fits. Situation on the left, one natural line on the right.
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Say it today
Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.