"has been cancelled" vs "has cancelled"

Question

"has been cancelled" vs "has cancelled"

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Has been cancelled' is the passive voice construction, indicating that the action of cancelling was done to the subject. 'Has cancelled' is the active voice construction, indicating that the subject performed the action of cancelling. The choice between the two depends on whether you want to emphasize who did the cancelling.

Last Updated: March 23, 2024

This phrase is used in passive voice constructions to indicate that the subject has had an action of being cancelled done to them. It emphasizes the action rather than the doer.

Examples:

The flight has been cancelled due to bad weather.
The event has been cancelled and will be rescheduled.
The order has been cancelled by the customer.
The show has been cancelled for tonight.
The subscription has been cancelled automatically.

Alternatives:

has been called off
has been terminated
has been annulled
has been scrapped
has been abandoned

This phrase is used in active voice constructions to indicate that the subject has performed the action of cancelling. It emphasizes the doer of the action.

Examples:

She has cancelled her appointment.
The company has cancelled the project.
He has cancelled his subscription to the magazine.
The school has cancelled the field trip.
They have cancelled the meeting for today.

Alternatives:

has called off
has terminated
has annulled
has scrapped
has abandoned

Answer 1

has been cancelled

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English, especially in passive voice constructions.

Answer 2

has cancelled

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English, especially in active voice constructions.

"has been cancelled" vs "has cancelled"

has been cancelled

has cancelled

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