Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'call off' to cancel a planned event, especially when something unexpected happens like rain or a strike.
- Use it for events like meetings, weddings, or games: 'They called off the match.'
- It is separable: You can say 'call off the party' or 'call the party off.'
- With pronouns (it/them), you MUST separate: 'Call it off' (not 'Call off it').
Overview
cancel だけでなく、句動詞（Phrasal Verbs）を使いこなすことが求められます。その中でも、中級レベル（B1レベル）の学習者が必ずマスターすべき表現が call off です。call off は、主に「予定されていたイベントや活動、合意などを中止する」という意味で使われます。単に cancel と言うよりも、口語的でありながら、公式な発表やビジネスシーンでも頻繁に耳にする非常に汎用性の高い表現です。特に、天候による試合の中止や、ストライキの回避、あるいは会議の取りやめなど、「決まっていたことを、何らかの理由で正式にやめる」というニュアンスを伝える際に最適です。call off の使い方を徹底的に解説していきます。call off は「句動詞（Phrasal Verb）」と呼ばれる文法構造を持っています。句動詞とは、call（呼ぶ）のような基本的な動詞と、off（離れて、分離して）のような前置詞や副詞が組み合わさり、元の単語とは異なる新しい意味を生み出すものです。call と off が組み合わさると「中止する」になるのでしょうか。イメージで考えてみましょう。call は「声を出す、呼びかける」という動作です。そして off は「離れる、スイッチが切れる」という状態を指します。つまり、予定されていた場所に向かおうとしている人々や、進行しようとしている計画に対して、「呼びかけて（call）、離れさせる（off）」、つまり「ストップをかける」というイメージから「中止する」という意味が生まれました。call off は「分離可能（Separable）」な句動詞であるという点も、文法的な大きな特徴です。これについては次のセクションで詳しく見ていきましょう。call off を使う際に、最も注意しなければならないのが「目的語（何を中止するのか）」を置く位置です。日本語では「会議を・中止する」のように、目的語は常に動詞の前に来ますが、英語の call off では、目的語の種類によって位置が変わります。the meeting や the game のような名詞の場合、位置は2通りあります。- パターンA:
call+off+ [名詞] - パターンB:
call+ [名詞] +off
They called off the wedding.（彼らは結婚式を中止した）They called the wedding off.（意味は同じ）
it や them のような代名詞の場合、必ず call と off の間に挟まなければなりません。- 正解:
call+it+off - 間違い: ❌
call off it
call off the match / call the match off |call it off (❌ call off it は不可) |call off はどのような場面で使うのが適切でしょうか。いくつかの代表的なシチュエーションを見てみましょう。The baseball game was called off due to heavy rain.
We had to call off the picnic because of the storm.
The manager called off the afternoon meeting.
I'm sorry, but I have to call off our lunch date.
The police called off the search for the missing person.
The workers called off the strike after the agreement.
They decided to call off their engagement.
call off を使う際にやってしまいがちなミスを、言語的な背景（母国語の干渉）とともに解説します。call off it と言ってしまうミスです。日本語では「それを中止する」という語順に慣れているため、call off という一つの動詞の塊の後に it を置きたくなりますが、英語では代名詞は「軽い」情報として動詞のすぐ後に置かれる性質があります。- ❌ Incorrect:
The weather is bad, let's call off it. - ✅ Correct:
The weather is bad, let's call it off.
call off はこれらには使えません。call off はあくまで「予定されていた単発のイベントや活動」を中止する時に使います。サービスや契約の解約は cancel を使います。- ❌ Incorrect:
I want to call off my Amazon Prime membership. - ✅ Correct:
I want to cancel my Amazon Prime membership.
call off を使ってしまうことがありますが、これは間違いです。機械のスイッチを切るのは turn off や stop です。- ❌ Incorrect:
Call off your alarm! It's too loud. - ✅ Correct:
Turn off your alarm! It's too loud.
call off と混同しやすい他の表現と比較してみましょう。特に put off との違いは、試験や実務でも非常に重要です。call off | 中止する | 予定されていたことを完全にやめる。もう行われない。 |put off | 延期する | 後日に回す。後でやる予定がある。 (postpone) |cancel | 中止する / 取り消す | 最も一般的でフォーマル。契約や注文にも使える。 |turn off | （スイッチを）切る | 電気製品やガス、興味などを消す・切る。 |call off vs. put off の違いに注意！The game was called off.→ 試合は中止（もうやらない）。The game was put off.→ 試合は延期（別の日にやる）。
call off と cancel は完全に置き換え可能ですか？call off の方がより「決まっていた活動やイベントの中止」というニュアンスが強く、口語的です。一方で、ホテルの予約や注文の取り消しには cancel を使うのが一般的です。call off は「人々の動きを止める」というイメージで覚えておくと良いでしょう。The meeting was called off. のように受動態で使ってもいいですか？I can't make it. などが自然です。ただ、グループでの集まり全体を「取りやめにする」という場合には Let's call off today's party. のように使うことができます。call off the dogs という表現を聞いたことがありますが、これも同じ意味ですか？Conjugating 'Call Off'
| Tense | Subject | Verb Form | Object | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Present Simple
|
I / You / We / They
|
call off
|
the meeting
|
They call off the meeting.
|
|
Present Simple
|
He / She / It
|
calls off
|
the meeting
|
She calls off the meeting.
|
|
Past Simple
|
All subjects
|
called off
|
the meeting
|
We called off the meeting.
|
|
Present Continuous
|
I
|
am calling off
|
the meeting
|
I am calling off the meeting.
|
|
Present Perfect
|
He / She
|
has called off
|
the meeting
|
He has called off the meeting.
|
|
Passive Voice
|
The meeting
|
was called off
|
-
|
The meeting was called off.
|
Meanings
To decide that a planned event, especially a formal or organized one, will not happen.
Cancel an Event
To stop a planned event from taking place.
“The concert was called off because the lead singer lost her voice.”
“We had to call off the picnic due to the heavy thunderstorm.”
Stop an Action/Search
To order a person or animal to stop attacking or searching for someone.
“The police called off the search for the missing hiker when it got dark.”
“Call off your dog! He's barking at my cat.”
End a Relationship/Engagement
Specifically used for cancelling a formal commitment like an engagement.
“She decided to call off the engagement after they had a huge argument.”
“Is it true that they called it off?”
Reference Table
| 状況 | Usage with Noun | Usage with Pronoun | 意味 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
イベント
|
call off the game
|
call it off
|
予定された試合を中止する
|
|
会議
|
call off the meeting
|
call it off
|
約束をキャンセルする
|
|
行動
|
call off the search
|
call it off
|
進行中の捜索を中止する
|
|
抗議活動
|
call off the strike
|
call it off
|
計画されたストライキを中止する
|
|
結婚式
|
call off the wedding
|
call it off
|
結婚の計画を中止する
|
|
デート
|
call off the dinner
|
call it off
|
社交的な約束をキャンセルする
|
|
計画
|
call off the trip
|
call it off
|
旅行の手配をキャンセルする
|
フォーマル度スペクトル
The meeting has been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. (Office)
We had to call off the meeting. (Office)
We called the meeting off. (Office)
We scrapped the meeting. (Office)
「Call Off」を使う時
予定されたイベント
- 会議 call off the meeting
- パーティー call off the party
- 試合 call off the game
行動・オペレーション
- 捜索 call off the search
- ストライキ call off the strike
- 抗議活動 call off the protest
個人的な計画
- デート call off the date
- 旅行 call off the trip
- 結婚式 call off the wedding
「Call Off」vs.「Cancel」vs.「Postpone」
「Call Off」を使うべき？
継続的なサービス（サブスクリプション、会員資格など）を止めることについて話していますか？
そのイベント/行動は、全く行われない予定された計画ですか？
Call Off: 何が中止される？
イベント
- • パーティー
- • コンサート
- • 試合
- • 結婚式
会議
- • 仕事の会議
- • アポイントメント
- • コーヒーデート
- • 勉強会
行動・計画
- • 捜索
- • ストライキ
- • 旅行
- • 抗議活動
レベル別の例文
They call off the game.
Ellos cancelan el juego.
I call off my party.
Cancelo mi fiesta.
Please call it off.
Por favor, cancélelo.
Do not call off the class.
No canceles la clase.
We called off the meeting yesterday.
Cancelamos la reunión ayer.
Are they going to call off the trip?
¿Van a cancelar el viaje?
He called the picnic off because of rain.
Él canceló el picnic por la lluvia.
The teacher called it off.
El profesor lo canceló.
The workers called off the strike after the deal.
Los trabajadores cancelaron la huelga tras el acuerdo.
If it rains, we'll have to call off the outdoor concert.
Si llueve, tendremos que cancelar el concierto al aire libre.
I'm sorry, but we've decided to call the wedding off.
Lo siento, pero hemos decidido cancelar la boda.
The search for the lost cat was called off.
La búsqueda del gato perdido fue cancelada.
Management was forced to call off the negotiations.
La gerencia se vio obligada a cancelar las negociaciones.
The launch was called off at the last minute.
El lanzamiento fue cancelado en el último minuto.
They shouldn't have called it off so early.
No deberían haberlo cancelado tan pronto.
The police called off the chase to ensure public safety.
La policía canceló la persecución para garantizar la seguridad pública.
The deal was called off amidst allegations of fraud.
El trato se canceló en medio de acusaciones de fraude.
The general reluctantly called off the offensive.
El general canceló la ofensiva a regañadientes.
It's too late to call off the operation now.
Es demasiado tarde para cancelar la operación ahora.
The protest was called off following a police warning.
La protesta fue cancelada tras una advertencia policial.
The merger was abruptly called off, sending shockwaves through the market.
La fusión se canceló abruptamente, enviando ondas de choque al mercado.
To call off a search of this magnitude requires high-level clearance.
Cancelar una búsqueda de esta magnitud requiere una autorización de alto nivel.
The rescue mission was called off due to deteriorating conditions.
La misión de rescate fue cancelada debido al deterioro de las condiciones.
Having called off the engagement, she felt a strange sense of relief.
Habiendo cancelado el compromiso, sintió una extraña sensación de alivio.
間違えやすい
Both involve changing plans. Learners often use 'call off' when they just mean 'delay'.
Both start with 'call' and use prepositions.
よくある間違い
I call off.
I called off the meeting.
I called off it.
I called it off.
They are calling off to the party.
They are calling off the party.
We called off the meeting for next week.
We put off the meeting until next week.
The contract was called off.
The contract was cancelled/terminated.
文型パターン
They had to call off the ___ because of ___.
I'm afraid we've decided to call the ___ off.
Real World Usage
The manager called off the staff meeting because of the snowstorm.
The umpire called off the game in the fifth inning.
They called off their engagement after six months.
The coast guard called off the search for the missing boat.
Hey, let's call it off. I'm too tired to go out.
The union leaders called off the strike at midnight.
代名詞は真ん中！
サービスには使わない！
自然な英語に聞こえる魔法
天候は大きな理由！
「イベント」か「計画」か考えてみて！
Smart Tips
Put the pronoun in the middle like a sandwich filling.
Use the passive voice 'was called off' to avoid blaming a specific person.
Ask yourself: Is it happening later? If yes, use 'put off'.
Always use 'call off' for outdoor events stopped by rain.
発音
Linking
The 'l' in 'call' links to the 'o' in 'off'. It sounds like 'cal-loff'.
Stress on the particle
They called it OFF.
Emphasizes that the cancellation is final.
暗記しよう
記憶術
Think of a 'Call' that takes the event 'Off' the calendar forever.
視覚的連想
Imagine a giant red 'X' being stamped over a calendar page while a phone is ringing. The phone call is what makes the event disappear.
Rhyme
When the rain begins to fall, 'call off' the game for one and all.
Story
A bride is standing at the altar, but the groom is stuck in another country. She picks up her phone, makes a 'call', and takes the wedding 'off' the schedule. She called it off.
Word Web
チャレンジ
Write down three things you have had to call off in your life (a trip, a meeting, a date). Use the pronoun 'it' in at least one sentence.
文化メモ
In the UK, 'call off' is very common for sporting events like cricket or football matches due to rain.
Americans use 'call off' frequently in labor contexts, such as calling off a strike.
Calling off a meeting at the last minute is often seen as unprofessional unless there is a genuine emergency.
The phrase 'call off' dates back to the 16th century, originally meaning to shout to someone to move away.
会話のきっかけ
Have you ever had to call off a big event like a party or a trip?
If it rains on your wedding day, would you call it off or just move it inside?
日記のテーマ
よくある間違い
Test Yourself
The concert was ___ due to the heavy rain.
Find and fix the mistake:
They had to call off it because of the snow.
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
Score: /3
練習問題
8 exercisesThe weather was terrible, so...
The strike was ___ after the workers got a raise.
Find and fix the mistake:
We need to call off the meeting for next week and do it on Friday instead.
They cancelled the wedding.
You can say 'They called off the search' and 'They called the search off'.
A: Is the concert still happening? B: No, the singer is sick, so they ___.
Select the items that fit with 'call off'.
Match the following:
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesWe had to ___ the meeting at the last minute.
Choose the correct sentence:
Translate into English: 'El partido de fútbol fue cancelado debido a la tormenta.'
I want to call off my gym membership.
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Hey, gonna have to ___ our study session tonight, feeling super tired.
Match the parts to form correct sentences:
Choose the correct sentence:
Translate into English: 'Los manifestantes decidieron cancelar la protesta después de las negociaciones.'
My boss called off me from work today.
Arrange these words into a text message:
Match the scenarios with the best verb:
Score: /12
よくある質問 (8)
Yes, but only in the sense of 'calling off the dogs' or telling someone to stop attacking. You don't 'call off' a person like you 'cancel' a person.
Yes, it is very common in business. However, for very formal legal documents, use `cancel` or `terminate`.
`Cancel` is a general word. `Call off` is a phrasal verb used specifically for events, strikes, or searches that were already planned.
No. You must use the passive: 'The meeting WAS called off.' The meeting cannot cancel itself!
In English, when a phrasal verb is separable and the object is a pronoun, the pronoun MUST go in the middle. It's a strict rule.
Usually, we say a flight is `cancelled`. However, if a specific mission or search flight is stopped, you could use `called off`.
`Abort` is usually for technical or military missions. `Call off` is for social or general events.
Usually, yes. It implies a problem like rain, illness, or a disagreement caused the cancellation.
Scaffolded Practice
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Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
cancelar / suspender
English uses a phrasal verb, Spanish uses a single verb.
annuler
French lacks the separability and pronoun placement rules of English.
absagen
German word order is stricter regarding where the prefix 'ab' goes.
中止する (chūshi suru)
Japanese is much more formal and doesn't have the separable structure.
ألغى (algha)
No phrasal verb structure exists in Arabic.
取消 (qǔxiāo)
Chinese verbs do not conjugate or separate.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
関連動画
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