Apologising and Rearranging By Email L1

How to Apologise and Rearrange with a Friend

By Email

Multiple Choice

You are emailing your friend to let them know that you can't go to the cinema with them anymore.

What's the first thing you should do?

• Give an excuse

• Talk about yourself

• Say sorry

Step 1: Say you are sorry

• I’m so sorry, I can’t come.

• I’m afraid I can't make it (anymore).

• I feel awful that we won’t be able to go.

Step 2: Offer a reason why you can’t make it.

List of reasons

Multiple Choice

Can we __________? My partner’s away, so I’ve got the kids to look after.

What phrase fits best in the gap above?

• take a rain check

• hit the sack

• pack up

• act up

Multiple Choice

Work have called me back in as they’re __________.

What phrase fits best in the gap above?

• snowed under

• under the weather

• skint

• feeling rotten

Multiple Choice

I’ve got an exam the following day, so I’ll need to __________ early that night.

What phrase fits best in the gap above?

• take a rain check

• act up

• burn the candle at both ends

• hit the sack

Multiple Choice

I’ve been __________ recently and I’m shattered!

Which phrase fits best in the gap above?

• skint

• burning the candle at both ends

• leaving you in the lurch

• bitterly cold

Multiple Choice

I’ve been feeling __________ the last few days and I don’t suppose I’ll feel better by this evening.

Which phrase fits best in the gap above?

• packed up

• snowed under

• acting up

• under the weather

Multiple Choice

My allergies are __________, so I feel rotten.

What phrase fits best in the gap above?

• packing up

• burning the candle at both ends

• acting up

• leaving you in the lurch

Multiple Choice

I’ve got a hospital appointment early that day, so I don’t think I’ll __________ afterwards.

What phrase fits best in the gap above?

• be up to it

• be packing up

• be at my wits end

• be skint

Multiple Choice

My beloved mini van has finally __________.

What phrase fits best in the gap above?

• felt rotten

• felt under the weather

• packed up

• burnt the candle at both ends

Multiple Choice

I’m __________ trying to get anywhere with this latest bus strike!

Which phrase fits best in the gap above?

• bitterly cold

• at my wits end

• left in the lurch

• skint

Multiple Choice

It looks like it’ll be bitterly cold tomorrow. You know how bad I am when it’s freezing. Sorry to __________.

Which phrase fits best in the gap above?

• act up

• hit the sack

• be up to it

• leave you in the lurch

Multiple Choice

I’ll be __________ until my next pay day.

Which phrase fits best in the gap above?

• bitterly cold

• skint

• under the weather

• hitting the sack

Step 3: Say how disappointed you are

• I’m really gutted I won’t be able to make it.

• I was really looking forward to catching up and hearing about your new job.

• I can’t tell you how much I wanted to see you!

• I’m so disappointed I can’t come.

Open Ended

Write a question to find out if your friend is available at a different time.

Step 4: Make new plans

• Are you free next weekend?

• Can you do dinner instead of lunch?

• How about next Friday instead?

• Do you fancy hooking up next week?​

• I’d love to meet up later on if that’d suit you.

• We could grab a bite at...​

Multiple Select

Which of the phrases below could you use to talk about making something up to your friend?

Select all the phrases that apply.

• I promise I'll make it up to you.

• I'll never do this to you again.

• Drinks'll be on me!

• How about I bring you some homemade cake to make up for it?

• I'm such a terrible friend.

Step 5: Say you’ll make it up to them (optional)

• I promise I’ll make it up to you.

• Drinks’ll be on me!

• How about I get you lunch by way of apology.

• I'll even buy you a pint!​

Multiple Choice

Would you repeat that you're sorry at the end of an apology email to a friend?

• Yes, definitely

• No, once is enough

• It depends

Step 6: Say sorry again! (optional)

• Again, I’m so sorry.

• It won’t happen again.

• I’m really sorry about leaving you in the lurch.