‘Canceled’ or ‘Cancelled’ – What Do I Use?

As a researcher, you understand the importance of accuracy in your work. One area where accuracy is particularly important is in spelling. And English spelling can be tricky, with many words having multiple acceptable spellings. One such example is “canceled” vs. “cancelled.”  

In this blog post, we will help you understand if it is canceled or cancelled and provide some examples to help you understand when to use each one. 

Canceled or cancelled – are they same or different?

“Canceled” and “cancelled” are both past tense spellings of the verb “cancel.” The main difference between the two spellings is that “canceled” is more commonly used in American English, while “cancelled” is more commonly used in British English. However, both spellings are considered correct and acceptable in either variety of English. 

Canceled vs. cancelled examples

Here are some examples of “canceled” and “cancelled” in use: 

• The conference was cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. (British English)
• The conference was canceled due to unforeseen circumstances. (American English)
• The research project was cancelled due to lack of funding. (British English)
• The research project was canceled due to lack of funding. (American English)
• The flight was cancelled because of bad weather. (British English)
• The flight was canceled because of bad weather. (American English)

As you can see from these examples, both “canceled” and “cancelled” are used to indicate that something has been stopped or called off. The choice between the two spellings often depends on the variety of English being used. 

Spelling Exception: “Cancellation”

While “canceled” vs. “cancelled” have different spellings depending on the variety of English being used, there is one spelling exception: “cancellation.” Regardless of whether you are using British or American English, “cancellation” is always spelled with two L’s. 

For example: 

• The cancellation of the event was a disappointment to many attendees.
• The airline apologized for the cancellation of the flight.

In conclusion, whether you use “canceled” or “cancelled” depends on the version of English you are using. Both spellings are considered correct and acceptable, so the choice between them is largely a matter of personal preference and consistency.  

Want to read more about such commonly confused words? Head to our grammar section!