cancel altogether

USAGE SUMMARY

"cancel altogether" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the idea of completely stopping something or not doing it at all. For example, "Due to safety concerns, the company decided to cancel the project altogether."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

In addition, users can swap, upgrade or downgrade their car monthly or just cancel altogether, without any long-term commitment or steep upfront payments, says the startup.

TechCrunch

Not only will you be looking at, and mentally budgeting from, an after-savings balance from then on, but you won't get three weeks into the month, feel short on cash, and dial back — or cancel altogether — that contribution.

Forbes

If the president wants to cancel altogether some congressionally authorized spending, he must send his recommendation to Congress.

Huffington Post

They want the IMF and its sister organisation, the World Bank, to cancel altogether debts owed to them by the poorest countries.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The Neptune was delayed into 1996, then canceled altogether with the announcement of the cancellation of 32X production.

Wikipedia

In 1948 Victory Day celebrations were cancelled altogether.

The Economist

By the second day, the event had been cancelled altogether.

Independent

So far, analysts think orders are being delayed or deferred rather than being cancelled altogether.

The Economist

Many hospitals canceled all but essential procedures, and some diesel train lines were canceled altogether.

The New York Times

In addition, a university-wide celebration scheduled for New Brunswick has been canceled altogether.

The New York Times

With the economy in tatters and the travel market tanking, many projects stalled or were canceled altogether when financing evaporated.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cancel altogether" to emphasize the finality and completeness of a cancellation, ensuring there's no ambiguity about the action.

Common error

Avoid using additional words that reiterate the completeness of the cancellation, such as "completely cancel altogether", as it creates unnecessary repetition. "Cancel altogether" already implies a complete cessation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cancel altogether" functions as an adverbial modifier to the verb. It indicates the manner or extent to which the action of canceling is performed, emphasizing its completeness. As Ludwig AI highlights, it clearly expresses the idea of completely stopping something.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cancel altogether" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to emphasize the complete termination of something. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's a clear way to express that an action is entirely stopped. Although usage is relatively rare, it is primarily found in news and media contexts and has a neutral to informal tone. For more formal situations, consider using alternatives like "terminate entirely". Using the phrase effectively means avoiding redundancy and ensuring the finality of the action is clearly communicated. The phrase is usable in written English and conveys a strong sense of finality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

call off entirely

Focuses on the cancellation of an event or plan without any partial continuation.

cease entirely

Highlights the act of stopping something completely and definitively.

end fully

Emphasizes the complete conclusion or termination of something.

eliminate completely

Suggests the thorough removal or eradication of something.

terminate entirely

Focuses on the conclusion or end of something in its entirety.

discontinue wholly

Highlights the cessation of an action or process in its entirety.

completely abolish

Emphasizes the thorough and total removal or termination of something.

revoke fully

Implies taking back or rescinding something in a comprehensive manner.

scrap completely

Suggests discarding or eliminating something without any remnants.

nullify totally

Highlights the act of making something invalid or ineffective in every aspect.

FAQs

How can I use "cancel altogether" in a sentence?

You can use "cancel altogether" to emphasize that something has been completely stopped or terminated, such as, "Due to unforeseen circumstances, the event was "cancel altogether"".

What is a more formal way to say "cancel altogether"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "terminate entirely" or "completely abolish" instead of "cancel altogether".

Is it grammatically correct to say "cancel altogether"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Cancel" is a verb and "altogether" is an adverb that modifies the verb, indicating the completeness of the action.

Which is correct, "cancel altogether" or "completely cancel"?

Both phrases are understandable, but "cancel altogether" is often preferred for its conciseness and because "altogether" inherently implies completeness. "Completely cancel" is acceptable but can sometimes sound redundant.