are cancelled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are cancelled" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been officially called off or annulled, often in reference to events, appointments, or services. Example: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, all flights are cancelled for the day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Hospital appointments are cancelled.

The Guardian

Your classes are cancelled".

The Guardian - Arts

Classes are cancelled.

The Washington Post

Sections 102 and 103 are cancelled.

University of California, Berkeley

How many shows are cancelled each year?

The Guardian

Open hours are cancelled for Tuesday, December 27.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

What would shareholders say if orders are cancelled?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Please note that March 7th and 28th are cancelled.

Stanford University

At worst, it leads to product initiatives that are cancelled, or fail miserably in the marketplace.

Sketching User Experiences Getting the design right and the right design

If the expeditions are cancelled the government will have to refund the fees.

The Guardian

The Hebrew scriptures speak of a jubilee year in which debts are cancelled.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, ensure the subject that "are cancelled" refers to is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify what events or items "are cancelled".

Common error

Avoid using "are cancelled" with singular subjects. Ensure the subject is plural or a collective noun treated as plural. For example, it's incorrect to say "The event are cancelled"; instead, use "The event is cancelled" or "The events are cancelled".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are cancelled" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject of the sentence is receiving the action of being cancelled. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a standard grammatical construction used to convey that something has been terminated or invalidated.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

28%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are cancelled" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive verb construction that informs the audience about the termination or invalidation of a scheduled event or service. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is widely accepted and utilized across various contexts. Its usage spans from formal announcements to news reports, emphasizing its versatility. When employing this phrase, ensure subject-verb agreement and clarity to avoid ambiguity. Consider formal alternatives like "have been terminated" or "have been revoked" for professional settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been called off

Emphasizes the act of calling something off, often implying a decision to cancel.

have been terminated

Suggests a more formal and definitive end to something.

have been discontinued

Indicates that something is no longer being produced or offered.

have been aborted

Implies that something was stopped before completion, often due to problems.

have been revoked

Suggests that something has been officially withdrawn or annulled.

have been suspended

Indicates a temporary halt to something, with the possibility of resumption.

have been nullified

Means something has been made void or without legal force.

are no longer scheduled

Focuses on the absence of something from a schedule.

are not going ahead

A more informal way of saying something is not happening.

are off

A very short and informal way to say that something has been cancelled.

FAQs

How is "are cancelled" typically used in a sentence?

The phrase "are cancelled" is typically used to indicate that planned events, appointments, services, or orders have been terminated or invalidated. For example, "All flights "are cancelled" due to the storm".

What are some formal alternatives to "are cancelled"?

Formal alternatives include "have been terminated", "have been revoked", or "have been discontinued". These phrases are suitable for professional or academic contexts where a more official tone is needed. An example might be: "The contract has been terminated".

What's the difference between "are cancelled" and "are postponed"?

"Are cancelled" means that an event or arrangement will not happen at all, while "are postponed" means that it will happen at a later time. If something "are postponed", it's delayed, not eliminated.

Is it appropriate to use "are cancelled" in business communications?

Yes, it's appropriate, especially when informing clients or colleagues about changes to schedules or services. However, consider using more formal alternatives like "have been terminated" if the situation requires a more professional tone.