Is the word cannot or can not

This dictionary defines cannot as “can not.” The word and the phrase mean exactly the same thing: both are the negation of the very common and useful verb can. The only difference between them is that the closed form, cannot, is much more common.

I smell pie but I cannot see any pie.

I smell pie but I can not see any pie.

Cannot has been in use since the 15th century. We don’t know why English speakers thought it’d be a good idea to zip the two words together to form one; they didn’t seem to see much use in doing the same to do not or is not or have not.

English speakers did see fit to make contractions out of the whole lot of them, though: in addition to cannot we have can’t as well. And we also have don’t, isn’t, haven’t, couldn’t, etc. These all mean precisely the same thing as their extended forms. The only difference between don’t and do not, isn’t and is not, etc., is that the contractions tend not to be used in formal writing. (This is true of can’t as well.)

When ‘Can Not’ Is Preferred

There is one set of circumstances in which can not is preferred over cannot—when the not is functioning as part of a different phrase:

Now I can not only smell the pie, but I can also see it.

If you’re unsure about the phrasal status of the not, try the sentence with can’t instead and see if it works:

*Now I can’t only smell the pie, but I can also see it.

(The * is a signal that this sentence is not one that passes muster grammatically.)

Cant (without the apostrophe) is another word—or several words, actually. In its most common use as a noun it refers to the language used by a particular subset of people, as in “the cant of thieves.” None of its homographs have anything to do with not being able or permitted to do something.

More Commonly Confused Compounds

Is it one word or two? 27 words with commonly confused spacings

English rules surrounding compound words and contractions are not always easy to remember.

Cannot belongs to a certain category of helping verbs and almost always appears as a single word. There are very rare occasions, however, where it is appropriate to have the words separated. Continue reading to find out what they are.

What is the Difference Between Cannot and Can Not?

In this article, I will compare cannot vs. can not. I will use each in a sentence to illustrate the proper context, and I will also reveal a helpful trick to use when you can’t decide whether to use can not or cannot in your own writing.

When to Use Cannot

What does cannot mean? Cannot is a contraction of the two words can and not. It functions as an auxiliary verb that describes an action as impossible or not allowed.

Here are some examples,

• You cannot have any pudding until you eat your meat.
• You cannot possibly jump far enough to reach the other side of the chasm.
• But it cannot be easy for Woods to forget how he started 2015: with a first-round withdrawal and three scores in the 80s in his first six events. –The New York Times

On a more technical level, cannot is a negative modal auxiliary verb. Modal verbs, like can, modify grammatical mood; in other words, they reflect a person’s perception of the possibility, likelihood, obligation, or necessity of an action or event.

The verb can communicates the potential mood, which indicates likelihood or possibility. In the contraction cannot, the likelihood or possibility is negated, therefore expressing impossibility or denial.

Is Cannot One Word?

Most readers here probably know the aforementioned information; they understand the meaning of cannot. The primary question at hand is, “Is cannot one word?”

In most cases—say 99 percent of ordinary writing—cannot will appear as a single word. There are only rare circumstances that cannot should appear as two words—and most of these should probably be rewritten anyway (see below for more examples)

Cannot can also be shortened into the contraction can’t, which means the same thing.

For example,

• You can’t drive faster than the speed limit and expect to avoid getting a ticket.

Remember, however, to avoid contractions in formal writing.

When to Use Can Not

What does can not mean? Can not, as two separate words, is not a proper verb phrase. When describing an action which is impossible, you should always use cannot.

The words can and not should only appear together when they are part of separate but adjacent phrases.

For example,

• By buying two cakes, Alina can not only have her cake, but she can also eat it, too.

In this sentence, not is a part of another construction, i.e., not only…but also. In this case, you would separate cannot into two words.

You might also just rework the sentence as a whole.

For example,

• Since Alina bought two cakes, she can now have her cake and eat it too.

Trick to Remember the Difference

Here is a trick to remember can not vs. cannot.

A good rule of thumb is that cannot is always one word, never two.

Of course, rules are meant to be broken, and sometimes, albeit rarely, cannot can appear as two words. In these rare cases where it is appropriate, you would be well advised to simply rephrase your sentence, but if you insist on keeping it as it is, just remember that can not must be a part of two separate constructions to be correct.

Summary

Is it cannot or can not? These two spellings cause a lot of problems for writers, but the solution is quite simple.

• Cannot should always be spelled as a single word.
• Cannot can be further shortened into the contraction can’t.
• Can not should only be used when not is part of another phrase.

Now that you know the difference between cannot and can not, you don’t need to worry about misusing either of them. Any time you need a reminder, you can reread this article.

Предлагаю разобраться с тремя вариантами написания модального глагола CAN.

Помним, что глагол CAN обозначает умение, физическую возможность что-то сделать. Например:

I can swim. – Я умею плавать. Но нас интересуют, прежде всего, отрицательные формы с NOT:

Данный вариант – это сокращенная форма от CANNOT. Используется только в разговорном стиле английского языка, поэтому мы ее можем использовать при написании личного электронного письма в заданиях КИМ ЕГЭ и ОГЭ.

We can’t recycle things in our town.

Мы не можем перерабатывать вещи в нашем городе.

My sister can’t ride a bike.

Моя сестра не умеет кататься на велосипеде.

Students can’t use mobile phones at school.

Ученики не могут пользоваться мобильными телефонами в школе.

2. CANNOT

Второй вариант написания отрицательной формы мы будем использовать преимущественно в эссе (задание 40.1/40.2) в значении NOT BE ABLE TO – “не способен, не в состоянии что-то сделать”.

We cannot compare these two trends.

Мы не можем сравнивать эти две тенденции.

Computers cannot replace teachers.

Компьютеры не могут заменить учителей.

The importance of reading cannot be denied.

Важность чтения нельзя отрицать.

3. CAN NOT

Такой вариант мы также можем встретить, но тогда слова CAN и NOT будут частями отдельно стоящих фраз. Например, чаще всего раздельное написание мы встретим с конструкцией “not only .., but also …” – не только .., но и …

We can not only reveal a problem, but also suggest a way to solve it.

Мы можем не только обнаружить проблему, но и предложить пусть ее решения.

Parents can not only help their children, but also influence them negatively.

Родители могут не только помогать детям, но также и влиять на них отрицательно.

My students can not only report some facts from the table, but also analyse them.

Мои ученики могут не только описать факты из таблицы, но также и проанализировать их.

Надеюсь, эта информация окажется полезной.

В статье рассказали о разнице между слитным и раздельным написанием модального глагола can с отрицательной частицей not.

Прежде чем перейти к разнице между этими двумя вариантами, напомним, что глагол can обозначает физическую возможность, умение что-либо делать. Он используется с основным глаголом в начальной форме и без частицы to перед ним.

I can help you with cleaning if you want to. – Я могу помочь тебе с уборкой, если ты хочешь.

Значение. Раздельное и слитное написание can с отрицательной частицей not не влияет на значение. Оба варианта говорят об отсутствии физической возможности или неспособности что-либо сделать.

Варианты написания. Cannot – наиболее распространенная форма, хоть и считается формальной. Вариант can not употребляется реже и характерен для дружеского общения, где правилами грамматики можно пренебречь. Не забывайте, что есть еще и краткая форма can’t, которая также встречается в неформальных ситуациях.

Когда cannot не используют. Слитный вариант cannot не употребляют, когда частица not входит в состав конструкции not only… but also.

Now I can not only hear his voice but also hear him. – Теперь я могу не только слышать его голос, но и видеть его.

They can not only paint but also make sculptures. – Они могут не только рисовать, но и делать скульптуры.

С чем можно перепутать. В неформальном общении встречается вариант cant без апострофа. Заметим, что слово не связано с модальными глаголами, это существительное, которое означает «ханжество», «лицемерие».

Save me from your cant. – Избавь меня от своего ханжества.

Итак, разницы в значения между cannot, can not и can’t нет, разве что первый вариант считается более формальным и не используется в конструкции not only… but also.

Если вы нашли ошибку, пожалуйста, выделите фрагмент текста и нажмите Ctrl+Enter.

Ah, the age-old dilemma of cannot vs. can not. It’s a problem that’s plagued many writers like myself, from novices to seasoned professionals. So, is there a difference? Is one correct and the other just a mistake? I’ll explain everything you need to know about when to use cannot or can not in writing.

Cannot or Can Not: What’s the Difference?

First of all, let’s clear up the confusion surrounding these two phrases. When looking at just their meaning, there’s absolutely zero difference between auxiliary verbs cannot and can not. They both mean the same thing — an inability to do something or an assertion that something is totally impossible.

Is Cannot a Word?

You’re darn tootin’ it is. Cannot is a real word and is commonly used all over the world. Between cannot and can not, cannot is the more professional choice to go with for formal writing.

Is Cannot One Word?

When you’re writing cannot, always spell it as a single word to be correct. Although can not is an acceptable form that you can also use, it’s usually only in more relaxed settings. If you’re writing for a British audience, people in the UK prefer cannot over can not.

When to Use Cannot

Generally, you should use cannot in more formal or professional situations like work-related stuff, presentations, ad copy, etc. It’s also the preferred form in British English.

When to Use Can Not

But, if you’re doing some informal writing or trying to emphasize a negative idea, using “can not” is acceptable for everyday writing. If you’re trying to say you absolutely can not eat another bite of cake (even though it’s delicious), “can not” would be the way to go in this particular situation.

As an author, I like to use can not as two words when I’m writing dialogue or some internal narrative for a character, and they’re trying to emphasize the word not. I’d write it as can not. But I couldn’t do that if I used the single-word form cannot.

Using Can Not With Correlative Conjunction

There is one other way to use the two words can and not, and that’s with correlative conjunction not only…but also. Here, I’ll show you an example. 

• As authors, we can not only create stories but also create entire worlds for readers to travel to. 

You can’t say this sentence with the contraction can’t or the word cannot; it just wouldn’t make sense. 

Another Way to Say Cannot and Can Not

If you want to avoid the confusion altogether, just go with the contraction can’t, which is a mix of the words can and not.

• I cannot eat another bite of cake.
• I can not eat another bite of cake.
• I can’t eat another bite of cake.

All have the same intent and message but show how you can use either of these three words and phrases.

Sentence Examples Using Cannot

• I cannot believe how quickly this year has gone by! It feels like 2020 was yesterday!
• Due to unforeseen circumstances, we cannot attend the meeting tomorrow. I hope that’s okay.
• My dog, Allie, cannot run as fast as she used to because bulldogs are considered old at age eight.

Sentence Examples Using Can Not

• Sorry, as much as I want to go, I can not make it to your party tonight.
• I can not seem to understand the concept of math, no matter how many times you explain it to me.
• I simply can not imagine a world without pizza and sushi.

You Cannot Worry About It

So, there you go! It’s pretty simple when you think about it. Cannot and can not are both the same, but cannot is more formal, and can not is good to use if you want to put emphasis on not. I hope this guide helped you out!

What is the difference between cannot and can not?

If someone is unable to do something, do you write “cannot” or “can not”? As it turns, you can use both! However, the word “cannot” is more common for English speakers because it’s the standard English form of “can’t” or “can not,” (but only when all three expressions share the same meaning). 

Indeed, the phrase “can not” can function as two separate words, and most reputable sources don’t make their distinctions easy to understand. So if you’re feeling stuck between which word to use, The Word Counter is here to bring more clarity to your writing questions. 

Quick writing tips for cannot vs. can not:

• The definition of “cannot” is ‘can not.’
• “Cannot” is the negative form of “can.” 
• “Can’t” is an informal contraction of ‘cannot.’ 
• The phrase “can not” contains the positive form of “cannot,” so the two expressions can have different meanings. 
• For the sake of clarity, avoid using “can not” if the intended meaning is “cannot.” 

What is the definition of cannot?

The word “cannot” is an auxiliary verb that English speakers use for questions, answers, and statements. The literal definition of “cannot” is ‘can not’ or ‘to be incapable’ because it’s the opposite of “can” (i.e., ‘to be able’). 

For example, 

“I cannot wait any longer.” 
“The children cannot read yet.”
“We cannot tell the difference between the twins.” 

“Can’t” is a contraction or short form of “cannot,” which uses an apostrophe to join “can not” into the one-word form. For this reason, it’s grammatically acceptable to use “cannot,” “can’t,” and “can not” for the definition of “cannot.” 

What does “can not” mean?

There are times when “cannot” and “can not” have different meanings. Because the verb “can” means ‘to be able,’ English speakers use it within “can not” phrases to explain an option or make a statement. For example, 

“I can sing, or I can not sing.” 
“I can not only sing, but I can dance too.”

The phrasal form of “can not” is confusing for native speakers and ESL students alike because “cannot” is also found within expressions like “cannot but” or “cannot help but.” For example, 

“After hearing the news, I cannot but cry.”
“She cannot help but enjoy the sunshine.”

In this sense, the correct word to use is “cannot” because the intended meaning of the phrase conveys “to have no choice except to do something.” 

How to use cannot vs. can not in a sentence?

Learning how to use “cannot” and “can not” correctly is difficult for many reasons. Anytime we read the news, we’re bound to find both forms for the definition of “cannot.” But this doesn’t mean the two expressions always share the same meaning. 

When do “cannot” and “can not” mean the same thing?

“Cannot” and “can not” share the same meaning when discussing an action that isn’t possible. For example,

CANNOT: 

“If your child cannot run or jump from standing, let your doctor know.” –– The New York Times
“If the spelling and grammar checker in Microsoft Word cannot recognize the misuse of affect and effect, then how can it be trusted …” –– Hartford Courant

CAN NOT:

“Officials said the government can not cover its bills and faces a $46 million deficit.” –– NPR
“It can not be identified by Facebook as the malware displays in front of the legit app ….” –– Sunderland Echo

When do “cannot” and “can not” have different meanings?

If “can not” forms part of another construction like “can not only but …,” the phrase has an entirely different meaning. In this case, the word “can” is a helping verb that allows “can not only but …” to mean “but also …”

For example, 

“Studies show that eating the proper amount of protein can not only build muscle but accelerate fat loss.” –– The New York Times
“If we do the same, we can not only keep our hospitals from overloading but also buy researchers time …” –– The Washington Post

Which is correct: cannot or can not?

Whether you use American English or British English, “cannot” is the best form to use when “can’t” and “can not” share the same definition. Replacing “cannot” with “can not” is just unnecessary, but it’s very uncommon outside of the United States. 

The second best form is “can not,” unless you’re using it for phrases like “can not only” (then, it’s the best form for the context). The contraction “can’t” is only appropriate for informal writing.

Which came first: cannot or can not?

The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) defines “cannot” as “the ordinary modern way of writing can not,” which infers that the two-word form entered the English Language before “cannot” or “can’t.” Admittedly, there is little known about the histories of “cannot” and “can not,” but we can back-track their etymologies through the verb “can.” 

The modern use of “can” means ‘to be able’ or ‘to know through collective knowledge,’ a definition stemming back to Old English cunnan. According to The Oxford Dictionary of Word Histories, Old English cunnan is an Indo-European root that meant ‘to know’ and later ‘know how to do’ (Chantrell 80). 

Putting two-and-two together, we can suggest that if cunnan means ‘to know,’ then the original meaning of ne cunnan is ‘to not know.’ How “can not” morphed into the standard “cannot” is a mystery, but according to the Online Etymology Dictionary, the contraction of “can’t” didn’t enter the English lexicon until 1706. 

How to remember the difference between cannot and can not?

If you’re struggling to decide whether “cannot” or “can not” is more appropriate for a sentence, try replacing “can not” with “can’t.” If the sentence no longer makes sense, use “can not.” But if the sentence retains its original meaning, use the formal “cannot.” 

Example 1:

“We can not afford to visit Universal Studios” or “We can’t afford to visit Universal Studios”?

Answer = both are correct, use “cannot.”

Example 2:

“I cannot help but love her” or “I can’t help but love her”?

Answer = both are correct, use “cannot.”

Example 3:

“The software can not only correct typos, but it provides word suggestions” or 
“The software can’t only correct typos, but it provides word suggestions”?

Answer = the sentence with “can’t” does not make sense, use “can not.” 

Test Yourself!

Test how well you understand the difference between cannot vs. can not with the following multiple-choice questions. 

1. True or false: Cannot, can not, and can’t are all acceptable spellings for formal writing such as AP style or MLA. 
   a. True
   b. False
2. For phrases like “can not only but,” the words “can not” represent __________. 
   a. Two separate words
   b. A single word
   c. Part of a set phrase
   d. A and C
3. What’s the difference between cannot and can’t?
   a. Formality
   b. An apostrophe 
   c. One word is a contraction
   d. All of the above
4. English speakers are more likely to use ___________ instead of ___________. 
   a. Cannot
   b. Can’t
   c. Can not
   d. Answer
5. “Can not” is to “can’t,” as __________ is to ______________. 
   a. Couldnot, couldn’t
   b. Willnot, won’t
   c. Would not, wouldn’t
   d. A and B

Answers

1. B
2. D
3. D
4. A
5. C

Photo sources

1. Photo by Andrijana Bozic
2. Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters 

Sources

1. “Cannot.” Lexico, Oxford University Press, 2020.
2. “Cannot.” MacMillan Dictionary, Macmillan Education Limited, 2020.
3. “Cannot.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., 2020.
4. “Cannot (help) but.” MacMillan Dictionary, Macmillan Education Limited, 2020.
5. “Can’t.” Lexico, Oxford University Press, 2020.
6. Chantrell, Glynnis, ed. “Can [1].” The Oxford Dictionary of World Histories, Oxford University Press, pp. 80.
7. Conan, Neal. “What Happens When A City Declares Bankruptcy.” Talk of the Nation, NPR, 11 July 2012. 
8. Harper, Douglas. “Cannot (v.).” Online Etymology Dictionary, 2020. 
9. McArdle, Megan. “When a danger is growing exponentially, everything looks fine until it doesn’t.” The Washington Post, 10 Mar 2020. 
10. McFadden, Mark. “Programs that check grammar and spelling are letting students down. Here’s why.” Hartford Courant, 1 Mar 2020. 
11. MacLean Weir, Meghan. “Your 4-Year-Old.” The New York Times, 18 Apr 2020. 
12. O’Connor, Anahad. “How to Get Strong.” The New York Times, n.d.
13. Rendall, Stephanie. “Android scam warning: 25 malicious Google Play apps to delete from your device due to personal data threats.” Sunderland Echo, 2 July 2020. 
14. “Usage and Grammar.” The Chicago Manual of Style, 17th ed., The Chicago Manual of Style Online, 2020. 

Is it cannot or can not or can’t? Here, we look at the proper way to use all three variations.

Can’t

Can’t is simply a contraction of cannot, and therefore not always suitable for formal writing. It is often found in everyday speaking and writing:

• He can’t drive until his leg heals. 
• She can’t imagine anyone else being able to do the job as well as him. 

With that said, there are places outside of informal conversation and writing where can’t is acceptable. For example MLA (Modern Language Association) format. Using cannot throughout might seem a bit stuffy. Can’t will sound more conversational and approachable.

Cannot 

As mentioned above, you will find cannot in formal speech and writing. Some examples are research studies, professional presentations, formal emails, academic reports, etc. These are all examples of places where cannot is the appropriate choice. Some examples of formal sentences with cannot are:  

• Our recent case study cannot directly correlate the company’s rebranding with a decline in sales.
• We regret to inform you that we cannot accept your research at this time. 
• Due to recent downsizing policies, the company cannot offer upward mobility opportunities to its workers this year. 
• Our department cannot deliver its report by the set deadline due to extensive complications. 

Another place where you can find cannot is when someone wishes to emphasize a point. Note the strong emphasis on not:

• No, we cannot just forget what happened.
• I cannot believe that he said that to you! 
• The company cannot accept these sales trends as the new norm.

In these cases, some may think that the emphasis on not demands the use of can not (as two words). While this may be an acceptable alternative, generally, cannot is preferred by most writers.

Can not

When you are not sure if it’s proper to use cannot or can not, just the remember that it should be one word: cannot. You would only see the words can and not written separately when the word “can” precedes another phrase that just so happens to start with “not”:

• He can not only sing well but also plays the piano beautifully. 
• The new team can not only produce better results but do so with extreme efficiency. 

Can not as two separate words can also be used when the speaker or writer has the option not to do something. In such cases, the word can connects to the negative form of an active verb. For example:

• If the Senator wishes to win re-election, he can not avoid this issue. 
• Perhaps we can not worry about it this week?
• If we want to win this contract, we can not cancel the meeting.

When used in question form, the noun or pronoun is placed between can and not:

• Can we not talk about this today?
• Can Michael not be the one to deliver the bad news? 
• Can the siblings not fight for at least one day?

These are less common. However, they need to keep their two-word formation to convey the intended meaning.  

A quick summary:  

• Can’t is a contraction of cannot. It is not well-suited for formal writing and is more appropriate in informal conversation, writing, or MLA format.
• In formal writing, using cannot, as contractions are frowned upon.
• Can not is possible to use when it is part of another construction, for example “not only…but also.” It can also be used in question form with the noun or pronoun separating the two words, for example, “he can not avoid this if he wishes to succeed.” Or when the speaker has the ability not to do something, for example, “can we not argue?”

Cannot or can not! When you say that you are unable of doing something, do you say that you cannot or can not do that? Both these spellings are acceptable and can be found in formal writing, and yet their meaning is slightly different. Read on to figure out what’s this difference and to never confuse these two phrases again.

CANNOT is used when you say that you aren’t able to do something. On the other hand, CAN NOT is used when can comes before the phrase “not only… but also“.

For example, you might say that you cannot wait for the summer holidays. Or, when you see something absolutely extraordinary right in front of you, you might say that you cannot believe that this is happening. If you’re writing to a friend, you might also use the contraction can’t instead. However, as contractions don’t belong in formal writing, in most cases, you should use cannot.

Now, can not isn’t a synonym for cannot and you can’t use them interchangeably. Imagine that you ask your mother if you can eat the cookies that you bought today. If your mother’s in a good mood, she might say, “You can not only eat these cookies, but also a piece of that big chocolate cake”. What she means is that you can eat both cookies and a cake, and this is why can not is spelled as two words.

You might also see can not spelled as two words in commercials. For example, you might read that a new beauty product can not only make you look five years younger but also make your skin look fresh and glowing.

To sum up, whenever you need an antonym for can, you can use cannot in formal writing or can’t in informal. But if you have a phrase “not only… but also”, can not is the spelling you should go for.

Cannot vs. Can Not Examples

• You cannot make a crab walk straight.
• Time past cannot be called back again.
• She cannot afford a new dress.
• The athletes cannot compete in any athletic events while suspended.
• I cannot only grow begonias, but also identify them.
• Roads can not only ruin the countryside, but also divide communities.
• This product can not only smooth throat, but also cure the common faucitis and stomatocace effectively.
• The CIP system can not only clean the medicines, but also control the microorganism’s cleaning.
• It can not only cure the disease, but also postpone caducity and strengthen the body.
• Prompt action by local people can not only prevent ultimate demolition, but also save many thousands of pounds in repair costs.

How to Use Can Not or Cannot | Image

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Cannot or Can Not: When to Use Cannot or Can Not

Last Updated on March 16, 2021

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Cannot or Can Not!!! What’s the difference between cannot vs can not? Reading this useful page to understand the difference between these confused words and how to use them correctly.

Cannot or Can Not

Cannot Definition and Examples

Cannot means being unable to or not being permitted to do something. It is better for formal writing.

Can’t is a contraction of cannot. 

Cannot Examples:

• If you cannot have the best, make the best of what you have.
• You cannot clap with one hand.
• Friendship cannot stand always on one side.

Can Not Definition and Examples

Can not only appears separated if “not” belongs to another construction, such as “not only…but also”.

Can Not Examples:

• They can not only compensate for declining liquor sales but can even arrest and reverse that trend.
• It can not only reduce the complexity of software development but also improve the reusability and cooperativity of the code.
• The utility model can not only sterilize and deodorize but also can dry, remove the dust and purify the air.

Cannot vs Can Not Examples

• I cannot find my watch, I must have lost it.
• In her work, she cannot do without a computer.
• Sometimes words cannot express the burden of our hearts.
• I do not think this is the right lid for this box. I cannot fit it on.
• We cannot survive for long without food and drink.
• Roads can not only ruin the countryside but also divide communities.
• Copper-binding proteins can not only protect cells from copper toxicity but also eliminate superoxide anion toxicity.
• Merchants can not only find his favorite cross-stitch brand but also can find a framed cross-stitch box and related equipment, every second.

Can Not or Cannot: How to Use them? | Infographic

Cannot or Can Not: When to Use Can Not or Cannot

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