unexpected cancellation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unexpected cancellation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a cancellation that was not anticipated or foreseen, often in contexts like travel, events, or appointments. Example: "We regret to inform you of an unexpected cancellation of the flight due to severe weather conditions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

It wasn't until an equipment failure on Hubble led to an unexpected cancellation that his team got their chance.

The New Yorker

Reeling from the unexpected cancellation of a £1bn (US$1.4bn) competition in November's spending review, he pleaded for coherent policy.

The Guardian

"I believe the unexpected cancellation will do far more damage to China's image than the sight of Jamie Foxx's bare bottom could do to a Chinese audience," the newspaper cited Mr. Shi as saying, in a story it said was compiled by a reporter from an interview with Mr. Shi.

The New York Times

In this retrospective review of 30 cases with unexpected cancellation of surgery after the patient had entered the operating room, we analyze the indications for cancellations and offer suggestions for decreasing unexpected surgery cancellation.

JA Clinical Reports

After the country drama scored a Hail Mary renewal at CMT following ABC's unexpected cancellation, it looks like the song has ended for two series regulars. .

Huffington Post

While Thunderbirds had run for two series, Lew Grade's unexpected cancellation of the production led Anderson to assume that there was no possibility of Captain Scarlet lasting for more than one.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Note that operating time that becomes available due to late, unexpected, cancellations could be used for urgent patients as well.

Health Care Management Science

Justified (FX) - Though not unexpected, the cancellation of FX's Terriers continues to hurt.

Huffington Post

The first warning sign was a series of unexpected flight cancellations at the end of last year.

The Guardian

This type of scheduling, however, does not cover unexpected school cancellations (for example, school closure due to poor weather), due to problems it would cause with the predetermined calendar.

Wikipedia

But at the first gala, a surprisingly sizable celebrity attendance resulted from an unexpected circumstance — the cancellation of the 2008 Golden Globes awards ceremony due to a Writers Guild strike.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unexpected cancellation", ensure the context clearly indicates what was cancelled (e.g., flight, event, meeting) and the impact of the cancellation.

Common error

While acceptable, repeatedly using "unexpected cancellation" in formal documents can sound repetitive. Vary your language with alternatives like "unforeseen cancellation" or "sudden termination" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unexpected cancellation" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "unexpected" modifies the noun "cancellation". Ludwig's examples show it describing events like flight or surgery cancellations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "unexpected cancellation" is a grammatically correct and usable noun phrase that describes a cancellation that was not anticipated. Ludwig highlights its common usage across various domains, including news, science, and general information, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While it's generally appropriate for most contexts, varying the language with synonyms like "sudden cancellation" or "unforeseen cancellation" can improve writing quality, especially in formal settings. Ensure the context is clear about what is being cancelled and the resulting impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sudden cancellation

Emphasizes the abrupt nature of the cancellation.

unforeseen cancellation

Highlights that the cancellation was not predicted.

surprise cancellation

Focuses on the element of surprise.

abrupt termination

Replaces "cancellation" with a more formal synonym.

sudden termination

Highlights the abrupt nature with a more formal synonym.

last-minute cancellation

Indicates the cancellation occurred very close to the scheduled time.

unanticipated abandonment

Uses stronger synonyms for both "unexpected" and "cancellation".

unpredicted call-off

Replaces "cancellation" with the informal "call-off".

out-of-the-blue annulment

Emphasizes the unexpected nature with the idiom "out-of-the-blue" and uses "annulment".

unheralded rescission

Uses more formal and less common synonyms.

FAQs

What does "unexpected cancellation" mean?

An "unexpected cancellation" refers to a cancellation that was not foreseen or anticipated. It implies that there was no prior warning or indication that the event, booking, or service would be called off.

How can I use "unexpected cancellation" in a sentence?

You might say, "The airline issued an apology for the "unexpected cancellation" of the flight due to severe weather" or "The conference organizers announced the "unexpected cancellation" of the event, citing unforeseen circumstances".

What are some alternatives to "unexpected cancellation"?

Alternatives include "sudden cancellation", "unforeseen cancellation", or "last-minute cancellation", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "unexpected cancellation" in formal writing?

Yes, "unexpected cancellation" is generally appropriate for formal writing. However, depending on the context, using a more formal term like "sudden termination" or "unforeseen termination" may be more suitable.