Giving excuses for being late
It happens.
See also:වැඩ තැනකදී
We are late for something. That's when we say sorry and normally give a reason - our excuse for being late.
Ten ways to explain why you are late
casual · neutral · formal
- Sorry - I didn't hear the alarm clock.neutralSorry, I didn't hear the alarm clock this morning.
- The alarm didn't go off.neutralThe power went off, so the alarm didn't go off.
- I slept right through the alarm.neutralI slept right through the alarm after the wedding.
- I had to wait ages for a bus.neutralI had to wait ages for a bus in Maharagama.
- The bus was late.neutralSorry I'm late. The bus was late again.
- The traffic was terrible.neutralThe traffic was terrible on Galle Road.
- I couldn't find a parking space.neutralI couldn't find a parking space near the hospital.
- The roads were chockablock.casualThe roads were chockablock because of the festival.
- I got lost coming here.neutralI got lost coming here. The map was wrong.
- It's not an easy place to find.neutralSorry, it's not an easy place to find.
How to use them
- are all about problems waking up. We blame the alarm clock. 2 shows there was a problem with the alarm clock. 3 shows you were so tired that the alarm didn't wake you up.
- The traffic is often responsible for us being late. 4 says that the bus is responsible - it didn't arrive when it was supposed to. 5 is similar.
- Here we are saying the traffic in general was responsible. You can use this if you are driving or traveling on the bus.
- are common problems for drivers. 7 means that it was difficult to park.
- We use 8 to say the roads were full of traffic, like when there is a traffic jam.
- are used when you are visiting a place for the first time and don't know the way.
Quick check
Tap an answer. Nothing is saved.
"The roads were chockablock" means:
"I slept right through the alarm" means:
Which excuse blames the place, not you?
See also: Apologizing to someone
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