Aug 20, 2012 · Generally, people use can't in speech and informal writing, and cannot or can not in formal writing or very formal speech. Also (as @Kris points out in a comment), cannot might be used …

Apr 20, 2021 · The phrase "can not" may mean "cannot" or "can't," but it also may mean "able not to," which is much different than "not able to" as it conveys the ability to not do something rather than the …

Oct 29, 2010 · Why is “cannot” spelled as one word whereas other similar constructions such as “do not,” “will not,” “shall not,” “may not” and “must not” are spelled as two words (unless they are …

Mar 23, 2025 · 2 In "The Waves", page 74 in Wordsworth Editions Limited (2000), Virginia Woolf writes Veined as I am with iron, with silver and streaks of common mud, I cannot contract into the firm fist …

Dec 10, 2018 · Stick with cannot. Can't tends to be informal, and can not is usually considered a typo.

Sep 19, 2023 · So here it’s about minimizing ambiguity: can not permits two interpretations, while cannot permits only one. Such care is critical in the language of mathematics. As another example, West …

8 Both are acceptable, but cannot is now more common. OED has this much to say about cannot: (ˈkænət) the ordinary modern way of writing can not: see CAN v. Notwithstanding, in some situations …

Dec 2, 2011 · Cannot is the only negative form that contains not rather than -n't. Theoretically, since it is a single word, you can say why cannot you... without a problem. My theory is that modern English …

Jul 25, 2020 · We therefore cannot offer any estimates as to how well it will perform. If you wish to modify the hardware configuration after having confirmed that it meets your original specification, …

Oct 15, 2015 · 1 There is no correct way to use "cannot help but." There are two traditional and synonymous idioms, "cannot but [do something]" and "cannot help [doing something]." Those who …