Should I Use Canceled or Cancelled?
The primary difference is in the spelling. "Canceled" is preferred in American English, while "cancelled" is used in British English. Both spellings are correct and widely accepted.
American: The event was canceled.
British: The event was cancelled.
Historical Background and Evolution
The word "cancel" originates from Latin. Over time, American and British English developed different spelling conventions.
Noah Webster, an American lexicographer, simplified many British spellings to make them more phonetic, leading to differences like "canceled" vs. "cancelled."
Usage in Different English Variants
Let's compare examples of "canceled" and "cancelled" in sentences to illustrate their usage:
- American: The meeting was canceled due to unforeseen circumstances.
- British: The meeting was cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances.
Other similar spelling differences include:
- American: color, theater
- British: colour, theatre
These differences extend to many words where American English favors simplified spellings, while British English retains the original forms.
Tips for Remembering Which to Use
To remember which spelling to use, consider your audience. If you are writing for an American audience, use "canceled." For a British audience, use "cancelled." Mnemonic devices can also help:
- American: One L in "canceled" is like the shorter American spelling.
- British: Double L in "cancelled" aligns with the longer British spelling.
Practice sentences:
- American: The concert was canceled last night.
- British: The concert was cancelled last night.
Other Commonly Confused Words
Similar spelling variations include:
- American: traveled, neighbor
- British: travelled, neighbour
Recognizing and correctly using these variations ensures your writing is clear and appropriate for your audience.