Is It Cancelled or Canceled? | Meaning, Spelling, Exercise & Examples

Cancelled or Canceled - Exercises and Quiz

These exercises focus on US and UK spelling.

Historical Context and Personal Insights

The spelling "cancelled" was historically used in America but has transitioned to "canceled." Some US students may recall that in their late twenties they learned "cancelled" in school but later adopted "canceled" at work. This shift aligns with Webster's broader push to simplify English spellings, which included changing "colour" to "color" and "centre" to "center."

Regional Variations and Preferences

Canadian English often incorporates elements of both British and American spelling conventions. Canadians might use "cancelled" for formal writing and "canceled" informally. This blend reflects Canada's unique cultural and linguistic influences.

Individual Choices and Contextual Usage

Some English speakers also have their personal spelling preferences based on context. For example, they might use "theatre" for live performances and "theater" for cinemas. This flexibility underscores the importance of audience and setting in choosing the appropriate spelling.

Difference Between Cancelled and Canceled

Word	Type	Usage	Examples
Cancelled	Past tense of "cancel" (British English)	Used in British English and other Commonwealth countries.	"The event was cancelled due to rain."
Canceled	Past tense of "cancel" (American English)	Used in American English.	"The event was canceled because of bad weather."

Key Rule:

British English: Use cancelled with two "l"s.
American English: Use canceled with one "l."

Common Errors

Mixing spellings

Writing "canceled" in British English or "cancelled" in American English can look out of place.

Incorrect: "The flight was canceled" (in British English).
Correct: "The flight was cancelled" (in British English).

Overcorrecting

Some learners use "cancelled" for all English types because it looks more formal.

Incorrect: "The show is cancelled" (in American English).
Correct: "The show is canceled" (in American English).

Everyday Use

Here’s how "cancelled" and "canceled" are used in sentences:

Sentence	British English	American English
"The class was _____ yesterday."	Cancelled	Canceled
"The meeting got _____ at the last minute."	Cancelled	Canceled
"They _____ their vacation plans."	Cancelled	Canceled

What About "Cancelling" or "Canceling"?

The same rule applies to the continuous tense:

British English: Use cancelling (two "l"s).
American English: Use canceling (one "l").

British English: "I am cancelling my subscription."
American English: "I am canceling my subscription."

Why Do These Spellings Differ?

The spelling difference comes from a trend in American English to simplify double consonants after unstressed syllables. British English retains the older form with two "l"s, while American English uses the simplified version.

FAQ

Is "cancelled" wrong in American English?

No, but it’s uncommon. American English strongly favors "canceled."

Is "canceled" accepted in British English?

Technically, yes, but it’s rare. British English usually uses "cancelled."

How do I remember the difference?

Think of travel:

British: "travelled" (double "l").
American: "traveled" (single "l").
The same pattern applies to cancel.

What about Canada and Australia?

Canada generally follows British English (cancelled), while Australia also uses cancelled more often.

Does this difference apply to all verbs?

No, only some verbs with the pattern of a single vowel before the last consonant show this difference (e.g., travel/traveled, cancel/canceled).