should be called off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "should be called off" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that an event, meeting, or activity should be canceled or discontinued. Example: "Due to the severe weather conditions, the outdoor concert should be called off for safety reasons."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Politics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

It should be called off".

The Guardian - Opinion

In early May, Korzhakov told a British newspaper that the elections should be called off — a suggestion that was quickly slapped down in public by Yeltsin himself.

The New Yorker

NYRB officials had apparently told the League that the game should be called off as early as Tuesday: a storm was on the way and New Jersey's infrastructure had already been battered by Hurricane Sandy.

The Guardian - Sport

The Republican senator John McCain, a frequent Trump critic, said the summit should be called off if Trump was not ready to warn Putin there is a "serious price to pay for his ongoing aggression towards the United States and democracies around the world".

The Guardian

Labor unions had threatened a general strike next month against reform, but one labor leader said Wednesday that the protest should be called off in light of the killing.

Forbes

Sir Jackie Stewart fears cancelling the under-threat Bahrain Grand Prix would lead to repercussions that could have a damaging effect on Formula 1. Teams are set to discuss whether the race should be called off amid security concerns caused by civil unrest.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

That temperature is still too low to be practical for airport scanners or devices in a bomb squad's tool kit, but it suggests that the quest for room-temperature terahertz lasers shouldn't be called off just yet.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Should the swim be called off, organizers would send pro athletes onto the bike course one at a time.

The New York Times - Sports

"Why should the world be called off from its busy occupations to listen to an ill told story of their little concerns?" Melville knew what it meant to watch one's writing reduced to wastepaper.

The New Yorker

They should insist this game of chicken be called off or they'll stop the funding.

Huffington Post

What's fundamentally at issue in Paris — although the matter is never stated this baldly, because, if it were, the conference might as well be called off — is who should be allowed to emit the tons that remain.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, explicitly state why something "should be called off". For instance, instead of just saying "The meeting should be called off", specify "The meeting should be called off due to the speaker's sudden illness."

Common error

Avoid using "should be called off" interchangeably with phrases like "should be postponed" or "should be delayed" if the intention is to cancel entirely, not merely to reschedule. Calling something off implies a complete cessation, whereas postponing suggests a later resumption.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should be called off" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating a recommendation or necessity for cancellation. It combines the modal verb 'should' with the passive form 'be called off', suggesting an action that is advisable or required. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Sports

18%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Academia

6%

Science

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "should be called off" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to recommend or suggest the cancellation of an event or plan. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Predominantly found in News & Media and Sports contexts, it carries a neutral tone suitable for diverse communications. When using this phrase, ensure the reason for cancellation is clear. Alternatives such as "ought to be canceled" or "needs to be aborted" offer similar meanings but with varying degrees of formality and intensity. Common mistakes involve interchanging it with terms implying postponement rather than complete cancellation. By considering these nuances, writers can effectively convey their intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ought to be canceled

More formal alternative, suggesting a moral or logical obligation to cancel.

needs to be aborted

Stronger connotation, implying the need to stop something that has already started.

should be abandoned

Suggests a complete and permanent cessation, with a sense of forsaking something.

should be postponed

Indicates a temporary suspension, with the expectation of rescheduling later.

must be terminated

Formal and authoritative, implying a required end to something.

has to be scrapped

Informal, suggesting something is not worth continuing with and should be discarded.

should be suspended

Implies a temporary halt, often pending further review or investigation.

needs to be discontinued

Formal, indicating a permanent cessation of a service or product.

should be ceased

Formal and direct, indicating a stop to an action or process.

must be stopped

Direct and forceful, emphasizing the necessity of halting something.

FAQs

How can I use "should be called off" in a sentence?

You can use "should be called off" to suggest that an event or plan should be cancelled. For example, "The game "should be called off" due to the heavy rain" or "The negotiations "should be called off" if no progress is made".

What are some alternatives to "should be called off"?

Alternatives include "ought to be canceled", "needs to be aborted", or "should be postponed", depending on whether you mean to cancel permanently or temporarily.

When is it appropriate to use "should be called off"?

It's appropriate to use "should be called off" when there are valid reasons to cancel an event, such as safety concerns, lack of participation, or unforeseen circumstances that make it impossible or impractical to proceed. For example if the weather conditions are dangerous the event "should be called off".

What is the difference between "should be called off" and "should be put off"?

"Should be called off" typically means an event "is cancelled" and won't happen, while "should be put off" means it "is postponed" to a later time. Calling something off implies a permanent cancellation, while putting it off suggests a temporary delay.