cancel it

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cancel it" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when instructing someone to terminate or annul a specific action, event, or order. Example: "If the meeting is no longer necessary, please go ahead and cancel it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Should I just cancel it?

The New York Times

Looks like he will cancel it.

Independent

"Cancel it," I said to the representative.

The New York Times

They were reluctant to cancel it".

The New York Times

But the agent didn't cancel it.

The New York Times

"I've told them to cancel it!

The Guardian

Democrats voted 123 to 68 to cancel it.

The New York Times

Kelley told him to cancel it, but he didn't listen.

The New Yorker

If you folks want to get briefed, and then tell me to cancel it, we'll cancel it".

The New Yorker

I'll cancel it and fund free childcare all year-round.

The Guardian - Opinion

Deep down, they may have wanted to cancel it.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Make sure the context is clear. Specify exactly what "it" refers to, especially if the conversation involves multiple items or events.

Common error

Avoid using "cancel it" without a clear antecedent. Ensure that 'it' is explicitly defined or easily inferred from the context to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cancel it" functions as an imperative, directly instructing or requesting someone to terminate or discontinue a specified action, event, or agreement. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

20%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cancel it" is a versatile and widely used imperative phrase that instructs the termination of something. As indicated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable. While it appears most frequently in News & Media, Science and Wiki contexts, its straightforward nature makes it suitable for many everyday situations. For more formal settings, consider using alternatives like "revoke it" or "terminate it". Ensure clarity in your writing by explicitly defining what "it" refers to, and you can confidently use "cancel it" in appropriate contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

revoke it

This alternative emphasizes the official or formal withdrawal of something, like a decree or permission.

rescind it

This alternative is similar to revoke but often implies a more deliberate and considered reversal of a decision.

call it off

This alternative is an informal way to cancel an event or arrangement.

terminate it

This suggests bringing something to an end, often in a formal or official context, such as a contract or agreement.

abandon it

This suggests the act of giving up on something before it's finished.

scrap it

This alternative is often used in an informal way to suggest getting rid of plan.

dismantle it

This is used when you want to stop from working something, like a project.

nullify it

This alternative implies making something invalid or without legal force.

invalidate it

This alternative focuses on making something void or without legal effect.

erase it

This alternative is used in an informal way and focus on deleting plan.

FAQs

How do I use "cancel it" in a sentence?

Use "cancel it" as an imperative when instructing someone to terminate or revoke something. For example, "If the meeting is no longer necessary, please "cancel it"."

What is a more formal alternative to "cancel it"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "revoke it", "rescind it", or "terminate it", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "cancel it" versus "postpone it"?

"Cancel it" implies that the event or action will not occur at all, while "postpone it" means it will happen at a later time. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the intended action.

Is "cancel it" appropriate for business communication?

While "cancel it" is generally acceptable, using more formal alternatives like "terminate it" or "revoke it" might be more suitable in formal business settings. Consider your audience and the overall tone of the communication.