cancelled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cancelled" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that an event or arrangement has been called off or annulled. Example: "The concert was cancelled due to inclement weather."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Labour gained Corby in a byelection in 2012 but this was cancelled out when it lost Bradford West to George Galloway in 2012.

The Guardian

Lawyers for the two men appeared in the federal court in Sydney on Friday seeking to have the notices declared invalid and cancelled.

The Guardian

In the last month alone, we've discussed whether a comedian called Dapper Laughs should have had his ITV2 show cancelled once everyone realised his career was based entirely on witless sexism.

The Guardian - Opinion

Although Blair cancelled a signing event at Waterstone's in central London scheduled for today, fearing protests, the bookseller nonetheless said A Journey had become its fastest selling autobiography ever, based on first-day sales.

The Guardian - Books

A proposed experiment to test a way to deliver particles into the upper atmosphere using a balloon and a one kilometre-long pipe was cancelled in 2012 after it was reported that two of the scientists involved had submitted patent applications that were similar to the techniques being proposed.

The Guardian

It is having a damaging effect on the care of thousands of patients right across the NHS, with far too many now suffering the distress of having even the most urgent operations cancelled at the last minute.

The Guardian

When Alternative Comedy Experience was launched, he defined its appeal by stating that "the comedians on this show do not wake up thinking, 'How can I develop something that will appeal to people in marketing?'" When it was cancelled, the consolation, he told one interviewer, was that "now there's some really good footage of great acts out there".

The Guardian

The Russian authorities then cancelled a scheduled flight to London of the other plane.

The Guardian

Clegg has made Coppard's job easier, not just by reneging on his pledge not to increase tuition fees but by being in the highest echelons of a government that, shortly after its formation in 2010, cancelled a £80m loan to Sheffield Forgemasters, which the steel company had hoped to use to buy a new forging press for producing nuclear plant components, creating jobs.

The Guardian

It should be cancelled and all the money raised in this way paid back," he added.

The Guardian

In 2010, the Labor party cancelled a $5,500-a-head business fundraiser with then prime minister Julia Gillard due to the possibility it would become a "media spectacle".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cancelled", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being terminated or invalidated. Be specific about the subject that has been cancelled to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "cancelled" with overly abstract or intangible subjects. For instance, instead of saying "The hope was cancelled", consider rephrasing to something more concrete like "Hopes were dashed" or "The project was cancelled, dashing all hopes".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "cancelled" is as a past participle or adjective. It describes something that has been terminated or invalidated. Ludwig AI examples confirm this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "cancelled" is a versatile term used to indicate that something has been terminated or invalidated. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions primarily as a past participle or adjective. Its neutral register makes it suitable for a wide range of contexts, particularly in news and media, formal business, and general communication. When using "cancelled", clarity is key; ensure the subject is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For more formal situations, consider alternatives like "terminated" or "revoked". In casual settings, "called off" or "scrapped" can be used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

called off

Indicates an event has been postponed or abandoned.

called off

Suggests a more informal termination or abandonment of an event or plan.

terminated

Implies a more formal and definitive end to something.

invalidated

Indicates something has been officially declared null and void.

revoked

Suggests an authority has withdrawn or repealed something.

rescinded

Similar to revoked, but often used for laws or decisions.

nullified

Indicates something has been made ineffective or nonexistent.

aborted

Implies a premature termination of a process or plan.

discontinued

Suggests a cessation of production or provision of something.

scrapped

Indicates a plan or project has been abandoned and possibly discarded.

FAQs

How do I use "cancelled" in a sentence?

Use "cancelled" to indicate that an event, arrangement, or agreement is terminated or no longer valid. For example, "The meeting was cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances."

What's a more formal alternative to "cancelled"?

For more formal situations, consider using alternatives like "terminated", "revoked", or "rescinded", depending on the context.

What can I say instead of "cancelled" in a casual context?

In casual contexts, you can use alternatives like "called off", "scrapped", or "off".

Is there a difference between "canceled" and "cancelled"?

"Canceled" is the American English spelling, while "cancelled" is the British English spelling. Both are correct, but use the spelling appropriate for your audience and context.