events were cancelled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "events were cancelled" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that planned events have been called off or no longer taking place. Example: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, all events were cancelled for the weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

The events were cancelled.

The Guardian

Weekend events were cancelled.

The Guardian - Opinion

By midday Seattle's central business district was clogged with marchers and other protesters, and consequently several WTO events were cancelled.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Shanghai saw the first gay pride festival on the mainland, although some events were cancelled, despite attempts to keep it low-key.

The Guardian

Stickers and some flyers were confiscated by the UN police … A small number of side events were cancelled because of content … and/or abusive language.

The Guardian - Opinion

More than 60 political events were cancelled and the former deputy prime minister's passport was revoked to punish him for criticising military rule.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Halloween events were canceled.

The New York Times

All after-school athletic events were canceled.

The New York Times

Prerace events were canceled so organizers could focus on the main event.

The New York Times - Sports

Some events were canceled; others meant to take place on the large stage were moved.

The New York Times

Organizers announced on Facebook that all events were canceled for the weekend.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To provide a sense of what to expect after the cancellation, clarify if events were cancelled only temporarily.

Common error

Avoid using "events were cancelled" without specifying who or what caused the cancellation if the agent is relevant. For example, instead of "events were cancelled", clarify with "events were cancelled due to weather conditions."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "events were cancelled" primarily functions as a declarative statement, communicating that scheduled events have been terminated. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a usable expression.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "events were cancelled" is a grammatically correct and relatively common expression used to communicate the termination of planned activities. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's perfectly acceptable for use in writing. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves to inform audiences about changes in schedules or plans. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the reason for cancellation when relevant and choose the context appropriately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

activities were called off

This alternative uses a more informal phrasal verb, implying a less formal tone than the original phrase.

functions were terminated

This suggests a more formal and definitive end to scheduled functions, often implying a permanent decision.

gatherings were suspended

This indicates a temporary halt to planned gatherings, suggesting they might resume later.

programs were discontinued

This implies a formal end to a series of events or a scheduled program.

appointments were scratched

This is an informal way of saying appointments were cancelled.

the schedule was abandoned

This suggests that the event no longer follows a planned itinerary

the meeting has been scrubbed

This term is often used in technical or military contexts to indicate that a planned meeting was canceled.

the celebration was nixed

This emphasizes the cancellation was unexpected

the party has been axed

Implies the act of cancelling something was aggressive or sudden.

the conference got canned

Canned sounds informal, suggesting that the scheduled conference wasn't important.

FAQs

What does "events were cancelled" mean?

The phrase "events were cancelled" means that scheduled activities or gatherings have been called off and will not take place as originally planned.

What can I say instead of "events were cancelled"?

You can use alternatives like "activities were called off", "functions were terminated", or "gatherings were suspended depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "events were cancelled"?

Yes, "events were cancelled" is grammatically correct and commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to indicate that scheduled events have been called off.

What are common reasons for using the phrase "events were cancelled"?

The phrase "events were cancelled" is typically used to communicate the cancellation of planned activities due to unforeseen circumstances such as bad weather, security concerns, or lack of funding.