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Lesson 34 of 240

New here? This is lesson 34 of a free 240-lesson English course.

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I forgot and I'm late in English

Ana is late to the Blue Plate. Her coffee is already on the counter. Murray has ordered two eggs over easy for her again.

You'll say sorry when you arrive late. You'll also name something you forgot or missed.

Sometimes a thing is still at home. These short lines help you tell someone why it isn't with you.

Start with Sorry I'm late when someone is waiting for you.

By the end of this lesson

Say you forgot something, missed something, or are late.

  • I'm late.I arrived after the right time
  • Sorry I'm late.you say this when you arrive after the time
  • I forgot ___.I did not remember this
  • I missed ___.I did not catch this in time
  • I didn't bring it.This thing is not with me
  • I left it at home.This thing is still at my house

Scene — coffee on the counter

Ana arrives late at the Blue Plate in Logan Square. Dee has already put her coffee on the counter.

Murray has ordered two eggs over easy for Ana again. He sits on two stools beside his unfinished coffee. The jukebox stays quiet.

Ana enters the diner while Dee’s coffee waits on the counter and Murray sits beside Ana’s waiting breakfast.

Learn — late, forgot, missed

Learn six short lines for small problems. Say you arrived late, forgot something, or missed something.

You can also explain where you left a thing.

  1. Ana hurries along Larch Street toward the diner.

    I'm late.

    I arrived after the right time

    When to use it: Say this when you arrive after the planned time.

    Learn it as one piece for a late arrival.

  2. Dee points out Ana’s coffee as Ana arrives at the counter.

    Sorry I'm late.

    you say this when you arrive after the time

    When to use it: Say this when you arrive late and someone has been waiting.

    Learn it as one piece to say sorry for arriving late.

    Say it: Sorry and I'm can link.

  3. Ana realizes she forgot to bring her phone.

    I forgot ___.

    I did not remember this

    When to use it: Say this when you did not remember something.

    Name the thing you did not remember.

    Say it: Stress the second part of forgot.

  4. Ana notices the breakfast waiting after she has missed the start of the meal.

    I missed ___.

    I did not catch this in time

    When to use it: Say this when a train leaves before you can get on.

    Name what you did not catch in time.

    Say it: The -ed ending in missed sounds like t.

  5. Ana shows Dee that her phone is not with her.

    I didn't bring it.

    This thing is not with me

    When to use it: Say this when you came without the thing someone is asking about.

    Use it for a thing you already named.

  6. Ana turns toward the street as she explains that her phone is still at home.

    I left it at home.

    This thing is still at my house

    When to use it: Say this when the thing is still at your house.

    Learn it as one piece to say where the thing is.

Story — eggs already wait

Ana arrives after the planned time. Her coffee and eggs are ready, but she starts counting the minutes.

Dee helps her keep the answer short.

  1. Ana comes through the door. Dee points to her coffee.
  2. DeeGood morning, hon.hello before noon
  3. AnaI'm late. Eleven minutes and forty seconds.She tells Dee exactly how late she is.
  4. DeeJust a short sorry, hon.Dee wants a few words, without all the numbers.
  5. AnaSorry I'm late. I missed the train.She says sorry and explains that the train left without her.
  6. MurrayWell, I ordered your eggs again.He asked Dee to make Ana's food.
  7. AnaI forgot my phone.She did not remember to take her phone.
  8. DeeIs it in your bag?Dee asks if Ana has her phone inside her bag.
  9. AnaI didn't bring it.This thing is not with me
  10. AnaI left it at home.This thing is still at my house
  11. Dee slides Ana's plate closer. Murray's coffee is still unfinished.
  12. DeeHave a seat, hon.please sit down
  13. AnaThank you.you say this when someone helps you

Practice — name the problem

Try nine short exercises about small problems. Listen, choose a meaning, and put words in order.

You'll also use two lines from earlier lessons.

0 of 9 done

  1. What did you hear?

  2. What does it mean?

    Sorry I'm late.

  3. What do you say?

    Dee asks why your phone isn't here. Tell her you did not remember to take it.

  4. What does it mean?

    I missed ___.

  5. Build the line

    This thing is not with me

    .

    Tap the words in order.

  6. Swap the word

    Your phone is still at your house. Tell Dee where it is.

    I left it at ____.

  7. Fill the gap

    This thing is not with me

    I didn't ____ it.

  8. What does it mean?

    Good morning.

  9. True or false?

    Use this to show you are happy someone helped you.

Say it — say why you're late

Now you're Ana at the diner. Use short lines to explain your late arrival and the phone you left behind.

Listen first if you need help. Then record each answer.

  1. DeeYou're here!Dee sees that you have arrived.
  2. Ana (you)Tell her you arrived after the planned time.

    I'm late.

    I arrived after the right time

0 of 6 said

Recap — what you can say now

EnglishSimple English
I'm late.I arrived after the right time
Sorry I'm late.you say this when you arrive after the time
I forgot ___.I did not remember this
I missed ___.I did not catch this in time
I didn't bring it.This thing is not with me
I left it at home.This thing is still at my house
Next: lesson 35Coffee your way

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