It also states that cannot is far more common in all contexts and that The two-word form is advised only in a construction in which not is part of a set phrase, such as ‘not onlybut (also)’: Paul can not only sing well, he also paints brilliantly. These uses of can not are not as common, but they do need to retain their two-word status to keep the sentence’s intended meaning. BTW, the Oxford Dictionary of English lists cannot as a valid word. For example:Įach of these sentences has a distinctly different meaning than if they had used cannot or can’t. In question form, the noun or pronoun comes between can and not. Maybe I can not worry about this for a few days.We can not make an offer if we want to pass on the house.If she wants to avoid conflict, Gemma can not address the scandal in her speech tonight.In these cases, can links to the negative form of an active verb. You may also see can not when a speaker has the ability not to do something. I can not only perform the balance beam, but I can perform a parallel bars routine as well.Sean can not only bake cakes, but he can also make cookies.We can not only build the house, we can also sell it for a profit.
Here some sentences with can not used in this way. This is usually paired with a but also in the second half of the sentence. The helping verb can sometimes precedes a phrase that begins with not, such as the correlative conjunction not only.
While can not is an acceptable alternate spelling, cannot is generally preferred by most writers.Ī reader is more likely to see can not as two parts of separate phrases. Some people may think that the emphasis on not means that they should use can not (as two words).
Some formal sentences with cannot include:
Research studies, academic reports, and professional presentations are places where cannot is the most appropriate choice. You’ll find cannot in formal writing and speech.