call off abruptly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "call off abruptly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the sudden cancellation or termination of an event, meeting, or agreement. Example: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, we had to call off abruptly the scheduled meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

A planned meeting between Pompeo and Kim Yong Chol in New York last November was called off abruptly.

Los Angeles Times

Both operations were abruptly called off.

The New Yorker

In September, a show called "Utopias y Disidencias" by Pedro Pablo Oliva was abruptly called off.

The New York Times - Arts

A GoFundMe page, which the company confirmed was created by Amber Roof, asks donors to help her and her fiance, Michael Tyo, gain a "fresh start" after their wedding was abruptly called off.

The Guardian

It's a generous turnaround, considering that when Maverick started to go under, Hutchinson got a phone call one day while on tour telling him that the album he'd recently started recording was on hold, and his tour was abruptly called off.

Los Angeles Times

The debate, which has not previously been reported, underscores the ad hoc nature of the summit, which was abruptly announced, called off and then reinstated all before either leader had touched down in Singapore.

The Washington Post

The plan was for Trump and Mexican president Enrique Peña Nieto to join in after a few days, but new public remarks from Trump on his proposed border wall with Mexico prompted Peña Nieto to abruptly call off the negotiation.

Harvard University

More autonomy for Opel is aimed at assuaging German officials still smarting from G.M.'s decision last week to abruptly call off a sale of a controlling interest in Opel to Magna International, a Canadian auto parts maker.

The New York Times

The vigil was abruptly called off after the shootings.

The Washington Post

But the operation was abruptly called off when it was leaked to the Bosnian Serb leader.

The Guardian

Oklahoma abruptly called off another execution in 2015 when state officials realized they had again obtained the wrong drug.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "call off abruptly" when you want to emphasize the unexpected and sudden nature of a cancellation. It's more impactful than simply saying "cancel".

Common error

Avoid using "suddenly" or similar adverbs alongside "call off abruptly" as it can create redundancy. The phrase already implies suddenness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "call off abruptly" functions as a phrasal verb modified by an adverb, indicating the action of canceling something with an emphasis on its suddenness. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "call off abruptly" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the sudden cancellation of something. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and grammatical accuracy. It's widely used in news and media, academia, and formal business contexts, emphasizing the unexpected nature of the cancellation. While effective, it's crucial to avoid redundancy by not adding words like "suddenly". Alternatives like "cancel suddenly" or "terminate unexpectedly" can provide similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis. The consistent use across authoritative sources and the clear communicative purpose make "call off abruptly" a valuable phrase for expressing sudden cancellations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cancel suddenly

Emphasizes the sudden nature of the cancellation, similar to "abruptly".

terminate unexpectedly

Highlights the unexpected nature of the termination.

rescind immediately

Focuses on the immediate reversal of a decision or plan.

halt without warning

Stresses the lack of warning before the action was stopped.

abandon swiftly

Implies a quick and decisive abandonment of something.

discontinue promptly

Highlights the promptness of the discontinuation.

suspend instantly

Focuses on the instantaneous suspension of an activity or plan.

retract quickly

Implies a fast withdrawal of a statement or offer.

void immediately

Stresses the immediate invalidation of an agreement or decision.

axe suddenly

Informal term for canceling something suddenly and decisively.

FAQs

How can I use "call off abruptly" in a sentence?

You can use "call off abruptly" to describe the unexpected cancellation of events, meetings, or plans. For example: "The meeting was "called off abruptly" due to unforeseen circumstances".

What's a more formal alternative to "call off abruptly"?

A more formal alternative would be "terminate unexpectedly". This phrase is suitable for professional or academic contexts.

Is it redundant to say "call off very abruptly"?

Yes, adding "very" before "abruptly" is generally redundant. The abruptness is already implied in the phrase "call off abruptly".

What's the difference between "cancel" and "call off abruptly"?

"Cancel" is a general term for stopping an event. "Call off abruptly" emphasizes the sudden and unexpected nature of the cancellation.