Whether writing a book report or a college project, you must spell words correctly. Sometimes that’s not easy when people use different spellings for the same word.
A good example is the past tense spelling of the word “cancel.” Here, you’re faced with two different spellings, “canceled” or “cancelled.” So is “cancelled” or “canceled” the preferred spelling you should use?
Keep reading as we take a deep dive into the differences of British and American spelling.
The Past Tense of the Verb ‘Cancel’
When checking the Noah Webster American dictionary, we find its origin in the following definition of the verb “cancel”.
- Cancel (verb):
- To cross the lines of writing, and deface them; to blot out or obliterate.
- To annul, or destroy; as, to cancel an obligation or a debt.
When we use the past tense of this verb, the spelling we need to use is either “cancelled or canceled.” Your spelling will vary, depending on whether you use British or American English.
Examples of sentences using the past tense of “cancel” include:
- I canceled/cancelled my flight to Hawaii.
- Sierra canceled/cancelled the restaurant reservation.
- The basketball coach canceled/cancelled the game at late notice.
Cancelled or Canceled: American and British English Variations
Despite speaking the same language, there are many spelling differences between American and British English. Understanding the differences will help you to write better sentences.
Spelling “canceled” with one “l” is a common choice in US English. But, don’t worry if you accidentally write a double “l” in your spelling. You can use “cancelation” or “cancellation” when writing in US English. It depends on your preference and your own feelings!
If you need to write in UK English, you have more rules to stick to. British English requires that you use the spelling “cancellation,” complete with a double “l.” There’s no room to maneuver on this so you’ll have to get it right!
British English uses traditional spellings from Samuel Johnson’s A Dictionary of the English Language. Johnson published his in 1755, many years before Webster’s all-American attempt.
Noah Webster and American English
So, why are there spelling differences between American and British English? Well, we have Noah Webster to thank for that!
When writing the first copies of the 1806 American dictionary, Noah Webster used the double “l” spelling. But, by 1828, a further copy of Webster’s dictionary featured an altered spelling, using only one “l.” But why did he do this?
Some think Webster made changes deliberately to make a mark on American English. After all, US English is an eclectic mish-mash of words from different origins, so why not? There’s also an idea that Webster aimed to spell words to match their sounds.
But, other people think Webster missed off the extra “l” accidentally. The word “cancel” comes from the Latin ‘cancellus’, which features the traditional double “l.” To make such a drastic change to the past tense of the verb was probably not intentional.
Cancellable or Cancelable: Which One Is Correct?
So, is it “cancellable” or “cancelable?” It’s the same answer: we spell “cancellable” with a double ‘l’ when using the British English spelling.
But the usual spelling in American English is “cancelable” with one “l.” There’s no rule in US English regarding using a single “l” or a double “l.” You have free reign to decide which spelling difference you want to adopt.
Sure, knowing these spelling tips won’t increase your word count in essays, but you’ll definitely get marks for accuracy!
Is It Cancellation or Cancelation?
Welcome to the one exception you’ll find on this page! American and British English stopped worrying about choosing “cancellation” or “cancelation.” Both countries spell ‘cancellation’ with a double “l.” There’s no two-word variation involved.
This is the recommended spelling in both varieties of English. However, many Americans think that “cancelation” is the correct spelling due to the common pattern in other words.
Why Is There an Exception for Cancelation or Cancellation?
There’s no simple explanation for why there is an exception for the word “cancellation.” Following the same pattern and distinguishing between “cancelation” or ‘cancellation’ would make sense!
Perhaps Noah Webster forgot to include this word in his first dictionary draft in 1806?! Either way, make sure you remember the correct spelling for your descriptive essay.
What About Canadian and Australian Spellings?
Almost all English-speaking countries will follow the traditional double “l” spelling variation. So other countries such as Canada and Australia use “cancelled” and “cancellable” in their writing.
American English is pretty unique when it comes to spelling differences. And it’s all down to Noah Webster’s innovative quirks!
Frequently Asked Questions
What spelling should I use in school?
You’ll learn American English at a US school, so most students will write “canceled” or “cancelable.” But you’ll also learn British literature during your education.
Educators might not mind if you use British English spellings, as the US accepts both variations. But it might be best to check with them individually.
What other spellings follow the same pattern?
There are plenty of spellings with a single “l” in US English and a two “l” difference in UK English. Examples include “counsellor” and “counselor,” ‘”labelled” and “labeled,” “fuelled” and “fueled,” and “modelled” and “modeled.”
Are there any exceptions to the American single ‘l’ rule?
Contrary to popular belief, the recommended spelling of “cancellation” features two “ls” in US English. As this is completely different from other variations of the verb “cancel,” the confusion is understandable.
What about the present participle of the verb?
The present participle of “cancel” adds “-ing” to the final syllable. This creates the word “cancelling” or “canceling” and still follows the same pattern. In US English, you’ll need to write the spelling “canceling.” In UK English, you should opt for the double “l” spelling of “cancelling.”
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