What to say when you miss a train in English
I missed my connection. When's the next train to Boston?
“My first train was late, so I missed the second one. When is the next train to Boston?”
When: At the ticket counter or help desk, right after you miss your train or flight
The moment
You're at Penn Station and your train from Washington came in late, so you missed your connection to Boston. Go to the ticket counter, find out what happened, when the next train leaves, and get rebooked or refunded.
A2 · Unit 2 · Travel days
The lines
What happened, what's next
Say what happened in the past: 'I missed my connection.' Then ask about the next one: 'When's the next train to Boston?' 'When's' is short for 'When is'. Americans almost always say it short.
I missed my connection. When's the next train to Boston?
“My first train was late, so I missed the second one. When is the next train to Boston?”
When to use it: At the ticket counter or help desk, right after you miss your train or flight
What you’ll hear back: There's one at 4:05, but it's pretty full. Let me check.
Getting rebooked
Ask the agent to move your ticket: 'Can you put me on the next one?' 'Put me on' means 'give me a seat on'. 'The next one' means the next train or flight. It is short and polite.
Can you put me on the next one?
“Can you give me a seat on the next train?”
When to use it: After the agent tells you when the next train or flight leaves
What you’ll hear back: Sure thing. I've got you on the 4:05, car six. (Yes, of course. You now have a seat on the 4:05 train, car six.)
Words for this scene
| Word or phrase | Say it | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| How long is the delay? | how LAWNG iz thuh dih-LAY | How much later will it leave? |
It just says delayed on the board. How long is the delay? The screen only says it is late. How much later will it be? Tip: Delays often grow; check the app, not just the board. | ||
| Can I get a refund instead? | kuh-nai get uh REE-fund in-STED | Can I get my money back and not travel? |
If the next train isn't until tomorrow, can I get a refund instead? If there is no train until tomorrow, can you give my money back? Tip: Airlines must refund canceled flights in the US, even cheap tickets. | ||
| Do I need to go to a different gate? | doo-ai NEED-uh go tuh uh DIF-rint GAYT | Do I have to go to another door or area to get on? |
My flight's now at 6:30. Do I need to go to a different gate? My flight now leaves at 6:30. Must I go to another gate? Tip: US gate changes are common; listen for announcements and check your app. | ||
Your objective
Explain that you missed your connection, ask why it was late, and get yourself onto the next one.
- the missed connection
- why it was late
- a place on the next one
Lines that get it done
- It just says delayed on the board. How long is the delay? · The screen only says it is late. How much later will it be?
- Can you put me on the next one?
In the live scene the objective stays on screen, and the Replay afterwards says whether you got it done.
Check yourself
1. Your train came in late and you missed the next one. What do you say at the counter?
- I missed my connection. When's the next train to Boston?
- I lost my connection. When's the next train to Boston?
- I missed my connection. When is next train for Boston?
- I have missed the connection. When comes the next train?
Show the answer
I missed my connection. When's the next train to Boston?
You 'miss' a train or connection; 'lose' is for things like keys, and it's 'the next train to'.
2. The agent says, 'Sure thing, I've got you on the 4:05.' What does the agent mean?
- You now have a seat on the 4:05 train.
- The 4:05 train is sold out.
- You must pay again for the 4:05 train.
- The agent is taking the 4:05 train too.
Show the answer
You now have a seat on the 4:05 train.
'I've got you on' means the agent booked you on that train.
3. The next train is tomorrow and you don't want it. How do you ask for your money back?
- Can I get a refund instead?
- Can I get a reimburse instead?
- Can you return me the money instead?
- Can I have a refunding instead?
Show the answer
Can I get a refund instead?
The noun is 'refund'; 'Can I get...' is the natural American way to ask.