Cancellation or cancelation – which is correct? This is a common question that often puzzles English learners, and even native speakers, as both spellings seem plausible. However, the correct spelling is “cancellation.” Let’s learn why this is the case and explore some examples for further clarity.
First of all, it’s essential to understand that English can be a bit tricky when it comes to spelling. There are numerous instances where words deviate from the expected patterns, and cancellation is one such example. Although the word seems to follow the pattern of adding a suffix “-tion” to the verb “cancel,” it actually deviates from this pattern by omitting one of the letter “l’s.”
So why is it spelled with only one “l” instead of two? The answer lies in the origins of the word. “Cancel” derives from the Latin word “cancellare,” which means to cross out or mark with a lattice. When this word made its way into English, an additional “l” was added to conform to the spelling patterns of the time. However, over time, the second “l” was dropped, resulting in “cancellation.”
Let’s consider a few examples to illustrate the correct usage of “cancellation”:
1. The flight was canceled due to adverse weather conditions.
2. I received a text message about the cancellation of tomorrow’s meeting.
3. She requested a cancellation of her hotel reservation.
4. The concert was a week away, but it faced cancellation due to inadequate ticket sales.
5. The organizer announced the cancellation of the event, disappointing many attendees.
In these examples, “cancellation” is used as a noun to refer to the act of canceling or the state of being canceled. It can be applied to various contexts, such as flight cancellations, event cancellations, or even the cancellation of a subscription or reservation.
It’s worth noting that while “cancellation” is the predominant spelling in British English, “cancelation” with two “l’s” is also widely used in American English. This difference in spelling might be attributed to variations in spelling preferences between the two dialects. However, it’s important to highlight that “cancellation” is considered the more standard and widely accepted spelling in both British and American English.
In conclusion, the correct spelling of the word in question is “cancellation.” This spelling deviation from the expected pattern can be attributed to the historical origins of the word. While “cancelation” is also used, particularly in American English, “cancellation” is generally preferred and considered the standard spelling. So the next time you encounter this word, whether in your writing or during an English language exam like the IELTS, you can be confident in choosing “cancellation” as the correct form.