was cancelled

USAGE SUMMARY

'was cancelled' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you need to describe something as having been ended or stopped. For example: The concert was cancelled due to poor weather conditions.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It was cancelled.

Independent

The tour was cancelled.

The New Yorker

His deportation was cancelled.

The New Yorker

"Now" was cancelled.

The New York Times

Then the merger was cancelled.

The New Yorker

The plan was cancelled.

The Guardian

The show was cancelled.

The New Yorker

His tour was cancelled.

The Guardian

The briefing was cancelled.

The New Yorker

Ultimately, the tour was cancelled.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The trip was canceled.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer active voice when the actor is known: instead of "The meeting was cancelled", write "The manager cancelled the meeting".

Common error

Avoid using "was cancelled" without a clear context. Ensure the reader understands what is being referred to; otherwise, the sentence becomes ambiguous. For example, instead of saying "It was cancelled", specify "The project was cancelled".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was cancelled" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a previously scheduled event or arrangement has been terminated. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. Examples show usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was cancelled" is a grammatically correct and very common passive construction used to indicate that a planned event or arrangement has been terminated. According to Ludwig AI, its usage is appropriate across diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources. While it is a straightforward and widely accepted phrase, clarity in subject identification is crucial to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "was called off" or "was terminated" can be used depending on the context and desired formality. Remember to clearly state what "was cancelled" to ensure your message is easily understood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suffered cancellation

Uses the noun form of "cancel" to describe the event.

got called off

Replaces "was cancelled" with a more informal phrasal verb.

has been terminated

Uses a more formal and definitive term for ending something.

was called to a halt

Emphasizes the action of stopping something abruptly.

did not proceed

Indicates that something didn't happen or continue as planned.

was brought to an end

A more descriptive and emphatic way of saying something was stopped.

was deemed void

Implies a formal declaration of invalidity, similar to legal or contractual contexts.

has been aborted

Suggests a sudden and often premature end to something.

is no longer happening

A straightforward and simple way to convey that something isn't occurring.

met its demise

A more figurative way of saying something has ended, often with negative connotations.

FAQs

How can I use "was cancelled" in a sentence?

Use "was cancelled" to indicate that an event, plan, or arrangement has been terminated or stopped. For example, "The flight "was cancelled" due to bad weather".

What are some alternatives to "was cancelled"?

Alternatives include "was called off", "was terminated", or "did not proceed", depending on the formality and context.

Which is correct, "was cancelled" or "is cancelled"?

"Was cancelled" is used for past events, while "is cancelled" is used for present or future events. For example, "The meeting was cancelled yesterday" versus "The meeting is cancelled today".

What is the difference between "was cancelled" and "was postponed"?

"Was cancelled" means the event will not happen at all, while "was postponed" means the event will happen at a later date. For example, "The concert "was cancelled" due to the artist's illness" versus "The concert "was postponed" until next month".