Micro-listening
Rescheduled interview voicemail
How do you understand a rescheduled interview voicemail?
A rescheduled interview voicemail uses 'instead of' and 'rather than' to show replacements, 'still' to show unchanged details, and 'by' to give a reply deadline. For example, 'The interview is now online, but the time stays the same.' Record the new day, time, format, reason and action separately, then confirm the final arrangement.
Key points
- 'Instead of' introduces the detail being replaced.
- 'Rather than' contrasts meeting methods or preferences.
- 'Still' shows that a detail remains unchanged.
- 'By' gives the latest acceptable reply time.
This lesson has 5 stages. You can stop at any time and continue later.
At a glance
| Form | Use it for | Example |
|---|---|---|
| instead of | Introduces the replaced day, thing or activity | We chose Tuesday instead of Monday. |
| rather than | Contrasts two meeting methods or alternatives | We will call rather than meet. |
| by | Sets the latest time for a reply | Please respond by Friday. |
| on | Places an action or event on a day | The interview is on Friday. |
| until | Shows something continuing to a time | The office stays closed until Friday. |
Stage 1 of 5
Understand
What it means, when to use it, and mistakes to avoid.
The full explanation
Instead of introduces the detail being replaced: Monday instead of Friday means Monday is the new day. Rather than can contrast two ways of meeting. By introduces a deadline: reply by Thursday means reply no later than Thursday.
Your interview is on Monday instead of Friday.
Why it works: Monday replaces the earlier Friday arrangement.
3 more examples
-
We will speak by video rather than meet at the office.
The video call replaces the office meeting.
-
Please confirm by Thursday morning.
Thursday morning is the deadline; an earlier reply is possible.
-
The interview still starts at ten.
Still tells you that the start time has not changed.
Read the full guide
Find the new arrangement
A changed appointment contains two versions of the plan. Your first job is to identify which version now applies. In Monday instead of Friday, Monday is the new day and Friday is the old day. Do not choose a day just because you recognise it from your calendar. Listen to the whole phrase before updating your notes.
-
Please come on Tuesday instead of Monday.
Why it works: Tuesday becomes the interview day.
Your turn
The employer says, 'Please come on Tuesday instead of Monday.' Which day should you record?
Answer: Tuesday
Show the answer
Answer: Tuesday
The day before instead of is the replacement in this sentence.
Notice how you will meet
A message may change the meeting format as well as the date. In a rescheduling message, by video rather than at the office means you should join a video call. However, rather than can also express a preference when no earlier plan exists. Use the surrounding message to decide whether the speaker is changing an arrangement or choosing between possibilities.
-
Your interview will be by phone rather than at the office.
Why it works: In a change message, the phone interview replaces the office visit.
You can practise this again in Train platform change and Delivery voicemail corrections.
Your turn
Your interview is now by phone rather than at the office. What is the current format?
Answer: A phone call
Show the answer
Answer: A phone call
By phone gives the current format; at the office gives the rejected alternative.
Use instead of with the right form
Use instead of before a day, a thing, or an activity ending in -ing. You can say instead of Friday, instead of a letter, or instead of travelling. Avoid instead of travel when travel is the action you mean. Instead can also stand alone at the end of a sentence, when the earlier option is already clear.
-
We can speak online instead of travelling to the office.
Why it works: The activity after instead of uses the -ing form.
-
The office is closed, so we will meet online instead.
Why it works: Instead stands alone because the other option is understood.
Your turn
Which phrase correctly completes 'We will call you instead of ...'?
Answer: sending a letter
Show the answer
Answer: sending a letter
An action directly after instead of normally takes the -ing form.
Distinguish by, on, and until
By Thursday gives the latest acceptable point for an action. You can reply before Thursday. On Thursday places the action on that day. Until Thursday describes something continuing, such as an office staying closed. Keep the interview date and the reply deadline in separate notes: you may need to confirm several days before the interview happens.
-
Please reply by Wednesday because the interview is on Friday.
Why it works: Wednesday limits the reply time; Friday is the interview day.
Your turn
It is Monday. You must reply by Wednesday. Which action meets the deadline?
Answer: Replying on Tuesday
Show the answer
Answer: Replying on Tuesday
A Tuesday reply arrives before the Wednesday deadline.
Separate the change, reason, and action
Do not assume that every detail changes. Still often introduces information that remains correct. Because introduces a reason, which explains the change but does not usually tell you what to do. Please confirm introduces an action. Sorting these parts prevents a common mistake: remembering why the meeting changed while forgetting the time or the requested reply.
-
The interview is now online because the room is unavailable, but it still starts at two.
Why it works: The format changes, the room explains why, and the time stays the same.
Your turn
In the example, which detail remains unchanged?
Answer: The start time
Show the answer
Answer: The start time
Still starts at two explicitly preserves the original start time.
Hear small words and recall the plan
Speakers often stress the contrasting days while saying of more quietly. Rather than may also sound like one connected phrase. First listen for the whole message, then replay the part containing the change. For recall practice, look away from your notes and say the final plan. Afterwards, check the exact wording through dictation, including small words such as by.
-
It is Thursday instead of Tuesday, and the time is still nine.
Why it works: Listen for both contrasting days and the word still.
Your turn
You hear 'Thursday instead of Tuesday' clearly. Which note captures the current day?
Answer: Thursday
Show the answer
Answer: Thursday
Thursday is the replacement; Tuesday belongs to the earlier arrangement.
Confirm the details that matter
A useful confirmation states that you can attend and repeats the current day, time, and format. You do not need to repeat the employer's full explanation. If one practical detail is missing, add a short question. Before sending, compare your reply with your updated notes so that an old date does not return to the conversation.
-
I can attend the video interview on Monday at ten.
Why it works: The reply confirms availability and the final arrangements.
-
Could you send me the link for the call?
Why it works: This asks for one missing practical detail.
Your turn
Which reply most clearly confirms a Monday video interview at ten?
Answer: I can join the video interview on Monday at ten.
Show the answer
Answer: I can join the video interview on Monday at ten.
This reply confirms attendance and repeats the current day, time, and format.
Common mistakes
What learners often say, what to say instead, and why.
-
Not this:
We will call you instead of send a letter.Say: We will call you instead of sending a letter.
An activity after 'instead of' normally uses the -ing form.
-
Not this:
Please reply until Wednesday.Say: Please reply by Wednesday.
'By' gives a deadline; 'until' describes something continuing.
-
Not this:
The interview is now online, but it starts two.Say: The interview is now online, but it still starts at two.
'Still' shows that the start time has not changed.
Use it naturally
How people really use “instead of”
Neutral Fine almost anywhere, at work or with friends.
Words it often goes with
- instead of FridayOur club will meet on Sunday instead of Friday.
- instead of drivingWe can walk to the center instead of driving.
- instead of waitingPlease call the office instead of waiting for another email.
What people also say
- “Does that work for you?” instead of “Is that arrangement acceptable to you?” This is a friendly way to check whether someone can accept a new plan.
Questions about "Rescheduled interview voicemail"
How do I know which day is new in an instead of phrase?
In 'Monday instead of Friday', Monday is the selected day and Friday is the replaced day. The phrase can also come first: 'Instead of Friday, we will meet on Monday.' Follow the relationship between the words rather than assuming the first day you hear is always the new one.
Your interview is on Monday instead of Friday.
Instead of Friday, we will meet on Monday.
Does rather than always mean that an earlier plan has changed?
No. It contrasts alternatives and can express a preference even when there was no earlier arrangement. In a message saying an interview has changed, it helps identify the new choice. Look for context such as 'now' or 'we need to change'.
I would prefer a phone call rather than a video meeting.
Your interview will now be online rather than at the office.
Can I reply before Tuesday if the message says by Tuesday?
Yes. By Tuesday sets a deadline, so an earlier reply is acceptable. It does not mean you must wait until Tuesday. If the message gives no exact time and that matters, ask when the reply is needed or send it earlier.
Please confirm by Tuesday at noon.
I will send my reply on Monday.
When can I use instead without of?
Use instead alone when the other option is already clear from the conversation or sentence. Use instead of when you name that other option directly. Both patterns can explain a replacement, but their sentence structures differ.
The meeting room is closed, so we will talk online instead.
We will talk online instead of meeting in the room.
What should I write if I can attend but have no video link?
Confirm the current day and time, then ask for the link in a separate sentence. This lets the employer see that you accept the arrangement while also identifying what you still need. Do not suggest that the interview is cancelled just because the link is missing.
I can attend the video interview on Thursday at two.
Could you please send me the meeting link?
Before you go
Remember this
Use instead of and rather than to separate alternatives. Listen for still when something stays the same. Treat by as a deadline, then confirm the current day, time, and meeting format in your reply.
Stage 2 of 5
Listen
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Say it your way
Speak for 20-30 seconds to confirm an interview moved from Tuesday to Thursday at two, now by video. Accept the arrangement and ask for the link.
You could start with “Thank you for the update. I can…”
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