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Conversation Beginner · Module 22 · Unit 107

Making Excuses (Politely sharing conflicts: "I have to finish a project")

A2 Beginner Upper

Learning Objectives

Today, you will focus on making excuses and learn useful vocabulary for explaining absence or delays in everyday situations.

Discussion

Direction: Answer these questions.
  1. When was the last time you missed something important?
  2. How do you usually explain being late?
  3. What excuse sounds most acceptable to you?

New Words & Expressions

Direction: Listen and repeat these words with your teacher.

  • busy

    adjective

    /ˈbɪzi/

    Meaning:Having many tasks or activities.

    I was busy all day.

    Real Life Tip:

    A common reason used in daily conversations in the US.

  • forget

    verb

    /fərˈɡet/

    Meaning:To not remember something.

    I forgot the meeting time.

    Real Life Tip:

    Often used in casual explanations for missed plans.

  • come up

    phrasal verb

    Meaning:To happen unexpectedly.

    Something came up at work.

    Real Life Tip:

    Very common excuse in American English.

  • run into

    idiom

    Meaning:To unexpectedly face a situation or person.

    I ran into a problem.

    Real Life Tip:

    Often used to soften explanations.

  • oops

    slang

    Meaning:An informal expression for a small mistake.

    Oops, I forgot again.

    Real Life Tip:

    Very casual and commonly used in speech.

Conversation

Direction:

  • Listen carefully as your teacher reads the conversation aloud.
  • Role-play the conversation with your teacher
Daniel and Rachel are discussing missed plans and giving excuses for not attending a meeting.
  • Daniel
    I couldn’t come because I was really busy yesterday.
  • Rachel
    Oh, what happened?
  • Daniel
    Something came up at work suddenly.

Q&A

Direction: Answer the questions based on the conversation.
  1. Why did Daniel miss the meeting?
  2. What came up at work?
  3. What did Rachel advise Daniel to do?

Exercise

Direction: Choose the correct answer to complete each sentence, then read it aloud. Each question gives you 5 Points.

  1. What does busy mean?

  2. What does come up mean?

  3. I was very ____ yesterday with work.

  4. Something ____ at the office.

  5. was / busy / I / very / yesterday

  6. forgot / I / meeting / the / time

Ask Your Teacher

Direction: Ask your teacher these questions.
  1. How do you explain being busy at work?
  2. When did something come up unexpectedly?
  3. Do you often forget important meetings?

Your Time To Speak

Direction: Answer using the language you have learned in this lesson. Talk about yourself!
  1. How do you explain busy days at work?
  2. What do you do when something comes up?
  3. Have you ever forgotten important meeting time?
  4. Do you use oops when making mistakes?
  5. How do you handle unexpected work situations?
  6. What happens when you forget homework deadlines?
  7. How do you react when plans come up?
  8. Do you plan ahead for busy schedules?
  9. What excuses do you use when busy?
  10. How often do you forget small details?
Rachel
That happens sometimes, don’t worry.
  • Daniel
    I also had to finish my homework urgently.
  • Rachel
    I get it, things pile up fast.
  • Daniel
    I completely forgot the meeting time, oops.
  • Rachel
    It’s okay, just try to plan ahead next time.