Canceled vs Cancelled
What’s the difference between them?
Canceled
Meaning:
Canceled means to officially put an end to something that had been scheduled or planned.
Examples:
1. The game was canceled due to inclement weather.
2. The meeting was canceled due to lack of attendance.
3. The flight was canceled at the last minute.
Cancelled
Meaning:
Meaning is the same, but such spelling is mostly used in British English.
Examples:
1. The concert was cancelled due to inclement weather.
2. I had to cancel my vacation plans.
3. The meeting was cancelled at the last minute.
Learn similar and opposite words to spot the difference
Synonyms
Antonyms
Canceled
abandon
postpone
Scheduled
Cancelled
abandon
postpone
Scheduled
Tricks for mastery
Useful tips to understand the difference between confusing words "Canceled", "Cancelled".
1. Canceled and cancelled are both correct spellings of the past tense of the verb 'to cancel.'
2. The American English version is spelled with one L
3. The British English version is spelled with two Ls.
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Frequently asked questions
When to use the first word?
The word 'Canceled' is the American spelling of the verb 'to cancel.' It is used in the United States, Canada, and some other countries that follow American English spelling conventions. It is commonly used in both written and spoken language.
When to use the second word?
The word 'Cancelled' is the British spelling of the verb 'to cancel.' It is used in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and some other countries that follow British English spelling conventions. It is also used in some contexts in the United States and Canada.
Do the words have the same pronunciation?
Yes, both 'Canceled' and 'Cancelled' have the same pronunciation. The stressed syllable is the second one (KAN-sld). The same pronunciation applies for all forms of the verb, such as 'canceling,' 'canceled,' and 'cancelling.'
What are common mistakes associated with words 'Canceled' and 'Cancelled'?
One of the most common mistakes made with these words is confusing them with one another in different regions.
Fill in the gaps to check yourself
1. Due to the unexpected rain, the baseball game was ____.
2. My flight to London has been ____ because of the fog.
3. She ____ her subscription to the New York Times.
4. In the UK, if a train isnt running, its often announced as being ____.
5. When I checked the American event website, it mentioned that the event had been ____.
6. The meeting was ____ at the last minute, so we didnt have to attend.
1. canceled
Explanation: The sentence refers to a baseball game, a sport predominantly associated with America, hinting at the American spelling canceled.
2. cancelled
Explanation: London and fog give a British context to the sentence. The British spelling is cancelled.
3. canceled
Explanation: The sentence refers to the New York Times, which is an American newspaper. This suggests the use of the American spelling canceled.
4. cancelled
Explanation: The mention of UK in the sentence indicates a preference for British English, making cancelled the appropriate choice.
5. canceled
Explanation: The term American event website gives a clear clue about the context being related to American English, so canceled is the correct choice.
6. cancelled/canceled
Explanation: The sentence does not provide a specific hint towards either British or American English, making both cancelled and canceled acceptable answers.
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List of Commonly Confused Words
Finding your way around the English language can be hard, especially since there are so many confusing words and rules. So, a list of the most confusing words in English is an extremely useful tool for improving language accuracy and sharing the ideas clearly.