Do you often have to reschedule meetings in English?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You may have had to raincheck with someone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Listen in to today\u2019s episode and learn different phrases and vocabulary to reschedule a meeting in English.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lindsay asks Aubrey if she has tried to reschedule with someone recently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Aubrey responds that she did reschedule recording plans with Jessica recently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She is going to Mexico with her family and needed to change a recording date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Today\u2019s episode was inspired by a listener\u2019s question.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This question is from Joanna from Poland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nDear Lindsay,<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I listen to your podcast while driving to my work. I totally enjoy listening to it- the episodes are short, to the point and your voices are so natural and easy to understand that I don’t get bored or tired \ud83d\ude42<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I heard that some other listeners suggested the topics for the episodes so I would like to do the same. I work in an English speaking environment and often I need to reschedule the meetings due to changes in my boss’s agenda.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I am wondering if you could suggest some professional and polite sentences that I could use to reschedule\/cancel the meeting and propose a new time slot\/date?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thank you for your help.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kind regards,
Joanna<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nSteps for rescheduling<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There are so many ways for you to reschedule plans or commitments when something else comes up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before Lindsay and Aubrey share phrases and vocabulary you can use, here is a formula or structure for you to change plans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is crucial so you don\u2019t lose respect or break a connection<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are the steps that should be taken:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- Apologize for inconveniencing a person for changing plans or commitments<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Explain why you\u2019re rescheduling. You can stay general by saying \u201cSomething unexpected came up.\u201d or \u201cI have to deal with a personal emergency.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Propose a new date and time<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Lastly, thank them either in advance or in a follow up message.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Now that you know how to structure the conversation, we’ll share some expressions and phrases you can use to reschedule<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n#1: Can we reschedule for\u2026<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
This is very straightforward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019re directly saying that you need to change the date and time of a meeting or plan you agreed on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Example:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m so sorry for the inconvenience, but something unexpected came up and I cannot make tomorrow\u2019s meeting. Can we reschedule for next week? I\u2019m available Thursday or Friday all day.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n#2: Any chance you could\u2026<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
This is a more polite and indirect way to ask to reschedule<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019re checking if there is a possibility to move plans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Example:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019re trying to leave Thursday morning instead of Friday if we can pull it off. Any chance you could record Monday or Tuesday at noon instead of Thursday? Let me know!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n#3: Raincheck<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
This is an idiom that means you need to postpone something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This expression is often used when you don\u2019t know when you can reschedule for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This has a more informal tone so you have to consider who you\u2019re talking to before you say it to reschedule a commitment at work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Example:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I know we were supposed to do a happy hour this week but I\u2019m swamped! Raincheck?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nRoleplay<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Here is a quick roleplay from Lindsay and Aubrey using the vocabulary shared in today\u2019s episode.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This will help you better understand how to use them in a conversation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this scenario, Aubrey and Lindsay are coworkers and Lindsay has just entered Aubrey\u2019s office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nLindsay: <\/strong>Do you have a minute?
Aubrey: <\/strong>Yeah, sure. What\u2019s up?
Lindsay: <\/strong>I\u2019m really sorry about this, but something unexpected came up and I won\u2019t be able to make it to Friday\u2019s meeting.
Aubrey: <\/strong>No problem. Everything okay?
Lindsay:<\/strong> Yes. I\u2019m sorry for the inconvenience. Any chance we could reschedule for next week? I\u2019m free Tuesday or Wednesday afternoon if that would work for you.
Aubrey:<\/strong> Absolutely. Let me check my schedule and I\u2019ll get back to you.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nYou can check out other episode from our Business English podcast<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Listen to episode BE 217: Let’s Take 5! How to Announce a Break in a Meeting in English<\/a><\/strong> and learn ways for to ask for a break when in a meeting at work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nTakeaway<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Follow today\u2019s tips when rescheduling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you have committed to something or someone, make sure to communicate well when you need to change plans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You should start by apologizing followed by an explanation on why you are scheduling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After that you can propose a new time and end the conversation by saying \u2018thank you\u2019 because they made the adjustment for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use the phrases shared by Lindsay and Aubrey in today\u2019s episode to reschedule in a native, natural way without breaking the connection<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n