2006-09-15 12:15:53 · 18 answers · asked by kewlchic189 4 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
Actually, they are both acceptable -- but under much different circumstances. When you mean "can't" use "cannot" -- that is a rule of American English. Don't let anyone tell you different.
However, there are RARE times when you want the "not" to modify a verb following it. In those cases, you can use "can not" but the meaning will be ambiguous. For example, if you're a vegetarian who has just been served meat you might think:
I can eat this, or I can not eat this and pretend that I did.
But, 99.99% of the time, the word you want is "cannot"
2006-09-15 12:43:04 · answer #1 · answered by Fall Down Laughing 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I was always taught "cannot" is the correct form and "can not" would be a spelling mistake.
The trouble is many people don't know this because of the widespread and constant use of the contracted form "can't".
2006-09-15 13:45:55 · answer #2 · answered by Orchid 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Actually, both words are acceptable according to Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. But personally, I use cannot.
2006-09-15 18:49:46 · answer #3 · answered by tombraider 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The negative form of CAN is CANNOT. But, if you wish to express emphasis for a particular reason, people do often say "you can NOT!"
Also, as in saying, "well, you can not go, but say that you went".
It sounds very messy, though it is used.
2006-09-15 13:52:12 · answer #4 · answered by cloud43 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It can depend upon the context.
2006-09-16 01:36:11 · answer #5 · answered by Lydia 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Both are perfectly acceptable. However, it has become more common in recent years--thanks in part to the internet and instant messaging--to use the "cannot" version.
2006-09-15 12:40:54 · answer #6 · answered by Esma 6 · 0⤊ 3⤋
it's always been cannot.
never is can not.
makes sense too, since one word ends in the letter that the other word begins with. know what i'm sayin :)
2006-09-15 12:24:15 · answer #7 · answered by sydney 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Cannot or can't, but I teach my children to say "I can try" instead!
2006-09-15 12:53:14 · answer #8 · answered by girl from oz 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's still 'cannot'. I've never seen 'can not' used before.
2006-09-15 12:25:36 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Excuse me....excuse me...cannot is NOT a word, it is can not, or can't... cannot will not pass a spell check!
2006-09-15 12:20:19 · answer #10 · answered by yvonnejust4today 4 · 1⤊ 4⤋