should be cancelled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'should be cancelled' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want someone to cancel or stop an activity, event, or plan. For example: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, the meeting tomorrow should be cancelled."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

And which should be cancelled.

The Guardian

The film's release, the director said, "should be cancelled".

The New Yorker

Tomorrow's election has no legitimacy and should be cancelled".

Independent

Some of these matches should be cancelled on humanitarian grounds.

The Guardian - Sport

They claimed the lease should be cancelled outright.

The Guardian

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

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

"They should be cancelling this project".

The Guardian

In particular, military exchanges and weapons transfers should be canceled.

The New York Times

"I think all the games should be canceled this week.

The New York Times - Sports

Martial law and new limits on presidential powers should be canceled.

The New York Times

He demanded that Reliance Industries' "blackmailing" should be immediately stopped and that its contract to drill the basin should be canceled.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "should be cancelled", ensure the context clearly explains the reason for cancellation to avoid ambiguity. State the reason directly after the phrase for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "should be cancelled" without a specific reason. Instead of saying "the project should be cancelled", specify why: "The project should be cancelled due to budget constraints."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should be cancelled" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing advisability or necessity regarding the termination of something. The modal verb "should" indicates a recommendation, obligation, or expectation, while "be cancelled" specifies the action to be taken.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

20%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "should be cancelled" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to advise or suggest the termination of an event, plan, or agreement. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. While it is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media, it's important to consider the formality of the situation and provide clear reasons for the suggested cancellation. Exploring alternatives such as "should be terminated" or "must be cancelled" can help refine the tone and emphasize the necessity of the action. Remember to be clear and specific in your writing when using this phrase to ensure your message is easily understood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ought to be cancelled

Uses "ought to be" instead of "should be", conveying a similar sense of obligation or advisability.

must be cancelled

Conveys a stronger sense of obligation or necessity for cancellation.

should be terminated

Replaces "cancelled" with "terminated", implying a more formal and definitive end.

needs to be cancelled

Indicates a requirement or necessity for cancellation.

should be called off

Uses the phrasal verb "called off", which is slightly more informal than "cancelled".

should be rescinded

Employs "rescinded", suggesting the withdrawal of a law, order, or agreement.

should be discontinued

Substitutes "cancelled" with "discontinued", indicating a cessation of something that was ongoing.

should be revoked

Replaces "cancelled" with "revoked", typically used for permissions, licenses, or decrees.

it is advisable to cancel

Changes the structure to express advisability in a more descriptive way.

it would be best to cancel

Suggests that cancellation is the most favorable course of action.

FAQs

How can I use "should be cancelled" in a sentence?

Use "should be cancelled" to express that an event, plan, or agreement needs to be terminated. For example, "The meeting should be cancelled because of the speaker's illness."

What is a more formal alternative to "should be cancelled"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "should be terminated" or "should be rescinded", depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "should be cancelled" and "must be cancelled"?

"Should be cancelled" suggests a recommendation or advisability, while "must be cancelled" indicates a stronger necessity or obligation.

What are some reasons something "should be cancelled"?

Common reasons include unforeseen circumstances, safety concerns, lack of resources, or a change in priorities. The specific reason should be clearly stated for transparency.