they were cancelled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were cancelled" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something, such as an event or a service, has been called off or terminated. Example: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, they were cancelled, and the attendees were notified immediately."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

They were cancelled, however, supposedly on grounds of cost.

Independent

They were cancelled due to lack of interest.

Independent

Japan was first awarded the Olympic Games in 1940 but they were cancelled due to the outbreak of the Second World War.

Independent

Polls should then be held again in the many places where they were cancelled, and allegations of fraud jointly investigated with international observers.

The Guardian - Opinion

Here are shows that I became extremely angry about when they were cancelled: "Bunheads" and "Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell".

The New Yorker

The last time Electric Light Orchestra announced live dates, in 2001, they were cancelled due to low ticket sales, something that assuredly wouldn't happen were they to tour now.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

They were canceled, too, because of SARS.

The New York Times

The Wucheng district authorities said on Weibo on Sept. 19 that they were canceling the fair.

The New York Times

After all, if they were canceled, the decision would be out of our hands.

The New York Times - Tech

"They said they were canceling because we couldn't be competitive without our own tennis courts".

The New York Times

It's normally followed by fireworks, but they were canceled this year: too expensive.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about cancelled events or plans, specify the reason for the cancellation to provide context and avoid confusion. For example, "They were cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances".

Common error

Avoid overuse of the passive voice. While "they were cancelled" is grammatically correct, consider using the active voice for more direct and engaging writing. For example, instead of "They were cancelled", try "The organizers cancelled them".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were cancelled" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject (they) was the recipient of the action (cancellation). It's used to report that events, plans or arrangements have been terminated. Ludwig confirms its grammatically correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Wiki

33%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were cancelled" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive construction to indicate the termination of scheduled events, plans, or arrangements. Ludwig AI validates its proper use in written English. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Wiki contexts. When using this phrase, it's best to specify the reason for cancellation to provide clarity. While grammatically sound, be mindful of overusing the passive voice in your writing. You may also use they were called off as a substitute for "they were cancelled".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they got called off

Uses a more informal phrasal verb "called off" instead of "cancelled".

they were stopped

A simpler and more direct way of saying something was prevented from continuing.

they were terminated

Offers a more formal and definitive term, "terminated", implying a complete and often official ending.

they were revoked

Implies that something like a permit or agreement was officially taken back.

they were aborted

Suggests that something was stopped before completion, often used in the context of plans or missions.

they were discontinued

Indicates a cessation of production or offering, often used for products or services.

they were scrapped

Suggests that something was discarded or abandoned, often used for projects or plans.

they were axed

An informal term meaning to be cut or eliminated, typically referring to funding or programs.

they were suspended

Suggests a temporary halt, with the possibility of resumption in the future.

they were nullified

Indicates that something was made legally void or ineffective.

FAQs

How can I use "they were cancelled" in a sentence?

You can use "they were cancelled" to indicate that a scheduled event, arrangement, or plan has been terminated or called off. For example, "The concerts were popular, but "they were cancelled" due to the artist's illness".

What are some alternatives to "they were cancelled"?

You can use alternatives like "they were called off", "they were terminated", or "they were discontinued" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "they were cancelled" or should I use another tense?

The phrase "they were cancelled" is grammatically correct when referring to something that was planned or scheduled in the past but has since been terminated. If you're referring to a continuous action of canceling, you might use "they are being cancelled".

What is the difference between "they were cancelled" and "they are cancelled"?

"They were cancelled" indicates a past action, meaning something was cancelled at a specific point in the past. "They are cancelled" is grammatically incorrect; the correct present tense passive form is "they are being cancelled", which indicates an ongoing or repeated action.