cancel the contract

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cancel the contract" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it when you wish to terminate a contract that you or another party have signed, either verbally or in writing. For example: "We were unable to come to an agreement, so we have decided to cancel the contract."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In total, we find 105,307 active terminations of contracts, i.e., when customers explicitly cancel the contract according to the regular cancellation policy.

Business Research

At last, they agreed to cancel the "contract".

The New York Times

We reserve the right to cancel the contract without notice.

The New York Times

Virgin is insisting I pay £240 to cancel the contract.

The Guardian - Money

If its plan is unconvincing, the transport ministry already has ample grounds to cancel the contract.

The Economist

Angry customers have been given 30 days to choose another deal or cancel the contract.

Independent

The projected savings never materialized, and the state was forced to cancel the contract.

The New York Times

The court properly concluded that plaintiffs were entitled to "rescind" — i.e., to "cancel" — the contract.

Harvard University

The governor of Puerto Rico, Ricardo Rosselló, asked PREPA to cancel the contract two days later.

The Washington Post

Team officials said that report prompted their decision to cancel the contract.

The New York Times

Nine months from the date of signing, they could cancel the contract and reclaim their deposit.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about ending a contract, specify the reason and method of cancellation to avoid ambiguity. For example, state whether the cancellation is due to a breach of contract or a mutual agreement.

Common error

Avoid using "cancel the contract" when you only intend to temporarily suspend it. Cancellation implies a permanent end to the agreement, whereas suspension suggests a temporary halt.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cancel the contract" functions as a verb phrase that typically serves as the predicate of a sentence. It expresses the action of terminating or voiding a contractual agreement. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cancel the contract" is a common and grammatically correct way to express the termination of a contractual agreement. Ludwig examples show it appearing frequently in news articles, academic papers, and general discussions. While often used interchangeably with other phrases like "terminate the contract", it's important to ensure the chosen phrase accurately reflects the specific context. The phrase's neutral register makes it suitable for various situations, but legal implications should always be considered. Remember to clearly state the reasons for cancellation to avoid ambiguity and to differentiate between canceling a contract and merely suspending it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Terminate the contract

Uses a more formal term, "terminate", to convey the ending of the contract.

Rescind the contract

Implies revoking or annulling the contract, often with legal implications.

Void the contract

Indicates that the contract is no longer legally binding.

Nullify the agreement

Replaces "contract" with "agreement" and uses "nullify" to mean to make legally void.

Invalidate the contract

Similar to voiding, but emphasizes making the contract without legal force.

Back out of the deal

A more informal way to express withdrawing from the contract.

Renounce the agreement

Suggests a formal rejection of the contract, often in a public manner.

Annul the contract

Implies that the contract is treated as if it never existed, usually due to legal reasons.

Withdraw from the contract

Indicates a formal removal of oneself from the obligations of the contract.

Break the contract

A simpler, more direct way to say that the contract is being violated or ended.

FAQs

How do you use "cancel the contract" in a sentence?

You can use "cancel the contract" to indicate the termination of an agreement. For example, "Due to unmet obligations, we had to cancel the contract."

What's a more formal way to say "cancel the contract"?

A more formal alternative is to "terminate the contract". This phrasing is often used in legal or business contexts.

When can I legally "cancel the contract"?

Legal grounds for cancellation vary, but often include breach of contract, misrepresentation, or a cooling-off period. Always consult legal advice to ensure compliance.

What's the difference between "cancel the contract" and "rescind the contract"?

"Cancel the contract" is a general term for ending an agreement. "Rescind the contract" implies returning to the pre-contractual state, as if the contract never existed, usually due to fraud or misrepresentation.