What would an English salesperson say to his supervisor if she/he is late?

[tulipflower]

What would an English native speaker say in the following situation?

You work in a bookstore. You are scheduled to start work at noon today. You will take over for your supervisor who is working the morning shift. You arrive at the bookstore a few minutes late. You see your supervisor waiting for you there.


a) I am sorry to be late. I am sure this is the last time I’ll be late.

b) Sorry I’m a little late- the traffic was awful!

c) Sorry I am late.





The test has been derived from Hudson, Detmer,and Brown, (1995).

 

[emsr2d2]

What would an English native speaker say in the following situation?

You work in a bookstore. You are scheduled to start work at noon today. You will take over [STRIKE]for[/STRIKE] from your supervisor who is working the morning shift. You arrive at the bookstore a few minutes late. You see your supervisor waiting for you there.

a) I am sorry [STRIKE]to be[/STRIKE] I'm late. [STRIKE]I am sure this is the last time I’ll be late.[/STRIKE] It won't happen again.
b) Sorry I’m a little late - the traffic was awful!
c) Sorry I am late.

The test has been derived from Hudson, Detmer,and Brown, (1995).

See above.

 

[tulipflower]

See above.

Which one do you prefer in that situation?

 

[andrewg927]

Your title "English salesperson" sounds like you were looking for British English help. But in case you wonder, in AE we just say "Sorry I'm late. It won't happen again."

 

[tulipflower]

Your title "English salesperson" sounds like you were looking for British English help. But in case you wonder, in AE we just say "Sorry I'm late. It won't happen again."

American English is ok too.

 

[ed_phelan]

Realistically, you would be fine saying: "Sorry I'm late. It won't happen again."

 

[emsr2d2]

Realistically, you would be fine saying: "Sorry I'm late. It won't happen again."

Even though, realistically, it probably will!