Both are actually correct, depending on which version of English you are using. In American English, the spellings with one L (canceled and canceling) are more commonly used, whereas, in British English, the spellings with two Ls (cancelled and cancelling) are more common.
There is no difference in meaning between the two spellings. So if you are writing for an American audience, use canceled and canceling, and if you are writing for a British audience, use cancelled and cancelling.
Canceling (American English) or cancelling (British English) is the process of making something void, null, or ineffective. The term has a number of applications in different spheres. In business, for example, a contract may be canceled if it is determined to be invalid or if one of the parties breach its terms. In the legal system, a criminal conviction may be overturned if it can be shown that the defendant’s rights were violated during the trial process.
And in personal relationships, a friendship or romantic relationship may be ended by mutual agreement or by one person unilaterally deciding to end it. Ultimately, then, canceling refers to the act of undoing or negating something that has already been established.
Canceling in Example Sentences
1- The company announced that it was canceling its plans to build a new factory.
2- After years of marriage, they decided to cancel their relationship.
3- The judge canceled the trial after it was revealed that the defendant’s constitutional rights had been violated.
4- I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to cancel our date tonight.
5- We need to cancel our cable service because we’re moving to a new house.
6- The airline canceled my flight because of the bad weather.
7- I’m afraid I’m going to have to cancel our lunch date tomorrow.
8- The company is canceling its contract with us because we failed to deliver.
Similarly we can use cancelling, in place of canceling, in all the above sentences.
Cancelling has the same meaning as canceling; there is just a difference in spelling. In American English, the one-L spelling (canceling) is more common, while the two-L spelling (cancelling) is more common in British English. There is no difference in meaning between the two spellings.
Cancelled or Canceled
Both these spellings are correct, but canceled is more common in American English, while cancelled is more common in British English.
Canceled and cancelled have the same meaning; they just differ in spelling. In American English, the one-L spelling (canceled) is more common, while the two-L spelling (cancelled) is more common in British English. The two forms of the word have the same meaning.
What about Cancellation? Is it Correct?
Cancellation is the correct spelling. It is the noun form of the verb cancel. It is correct in both American and British English.
The word cancellation can be used in a number of different ways. Most commonly, it refers to the act of canceling something, such as an event or a contract. It can also refer to the process of crossing out something, such as a word or a sentence. In some cases, it can also be used to refer to the act of annulling something, such as a marriage or a law.
Cancellation can also be used as a noun to refer to something that has been canceled, such as a ticket or an appointment. Finally, it can be used as an adjective to describe something that is no longer valid, such as a canceled cheque or a canceled passport.
Double L Rule in British English
The rule is that when a word has two Ls side by side, as in cancellation, the sound of the L is doubled (cancelation). The British spelling uses this doubling of the L more often than American English. For example, traveller is spelled with two Ls in British English, but only one L in American English. Likewise, modelling is spelled with two Ls in British English, but only one L in American English.
Exceptions to the Rule
There are a few exceptions to this rule. One example is the word parallel, which is spelled with two L in both British and American English.
| British Spelling | American Spelling |
| Cancelling | Canceling |
| Modelling | Modeling |
| Travelling | Traveling |
