has been called off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'has been called off' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when referring to the cancellation or postponement of an event, appointment, or activity. For example: The meeting with the client has been called off due to inclement weather.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Search has been called off.

The Guardian

The Singapore-Australia deal already has been called off.

The New York Times

*Today's Musselburgh card has been called off because of frost.

Independent

Instead, the family's trip has been called off.

The New York Times

Disappointed that the search for MH370 has been called off.

The Guardian

The Wall Street Rocks benefit concert at the Mercury Lounge has been called off.

The New York Times

Everton have said ther game against Crystal Palace this evening has been called off.

The Guardian

Threatened strike action by baggage handlers at Stansted has been called off.

The Guardian

A technology trade show battle has been called off before it even began.

The New York Times

This will be the first time that it has been called off.

The New York Times

"We are pleased this dangerous strike has been called off before any inmates became seriously ill.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When specifying a reason, follow the phrase with 'due to' or 'because of' to provide context: "The meeting has been called off due to unforeseen circumstances."

Common error

Avoid simply stating that something "has been called off" without providing context or reason. This can leave the audience confused and unsure of the implications. Instead, offer a brief explanation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been called off" functions as a passive construction indicating that a previously scheduled event or activity has been canceled. Ludwig examples show its use in various contexts, confirming its role in conveying cancellation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has been called off" is a common and grammatically sound way to indicate that a planned event or activity has been cancelled. As shown by Ludwig, it's widely used in news, sports, and formal announcements. While perfectly acceptable in most contexts, you may opt for alternatives like "has been cancelled" or "has been postponed" depending on the nuance you want to convey. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct for use in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been cancelled

Replaces "called off" with the direct synonym "cancelled", maintaining an identical meaning.

has been postponed

Indicates that the event "has been called off" temporarily and will be rescheduled.

is not going ahead

A straightforward way to say the event "has been called off" and will not take place.

is no longer scheduled

A more descriptive way of saying the event "has been called off", emphasizing the removal from the schedule.

will not proceed

Indicates the event "has been called off" and will not happen, focusing on the action not occurring.

has been abandoned

Suggests the event "has been called off" and will not be continued or rescheduled.

has been put on hold

Suggests a temporary suspension, implying it "has been called off" for the moment.

has been terminated

Implies a formal end to the event, similar to "has been called off" but with a stronger sense of finality.

is off the table

An idiomatic way to express that the event "has been called off" and is no longer being considered.

has been scrubbed

Informal way to say the event "has been called off", mainly in technical context.

FAQs

What does it mean when something "has been called off"?

When something "has been called off", it means that a planned event, activity, or arrangement has been canceled and will not take place as originally scheduled.

What can I say instead of "has been called off"?

You can use alternatives like "has been cancelled", "has been postponed", or "has been abandoned" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "has been called off" in formal writing?

Yes, "has been called off" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing. However, in very formal contexts, you might prefer "has been cancelled" or "has been terminated" for added emphasis.

How do I properly use "has been called off" in a sentence?

You can use "has been called off" in a sentence like this: "The game "has been called off" due to the weather."