Confusing Words: Verb
Meaning: to be unable to do otherwise than
Clarification: Cannot is more preferable term than can not.
Cannot vs Can Not – What is the Difference, Definition & Meaning?
First of all, I will define the term ‘can’.
Definition of Can:
Can is used as an auxiliary verb within sentences. It is used when you are speaking about ability ( physical or mental ability) to do something.
Check Out: The Difference Between Can and May.
Is the correct term cannot or can not?
Now, coming towards our discussion. Cannot and can not are both acceptable spellings. However, if we check out the preferences, we will come to know that cannot is much more usual term that is widely accepted as the contraction of two words ‘can’ and ‘not’.
Cannot is more acceptable term than can not
Cannot = Contraction of Can and Not
Cannot
Cannot is used as an auxiliary verb within sentences, which is a contraction of the words can and not. It is used to express the inability or incapacity to do something. In short, cannot is the negative of can.
1. You cannot do the next work until you finish your homework.
2. Doctor said that you cannot eat heavy food for three days.
3. If we cannot now end our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity. (John F. Kennedy)
4. Defence group Cobham takes huge writedown and warns it cannot forecast 2017 performance. (Telegraph. Co. uk)
Note: You can also shorten the term cannot as can’t. For instance, I can’t sing right now.
Use of Can Not
Since, cannot is much more common and acceptable contraction of can and not. However, you can use can not together as two separate words within a sentence. In this case, can and not should express two separate constructions. For example,
• You can not only cry, but also share your problems with me.
• “Any form of art is a form of power; it has impact, it can affect change – it can not only move us, it make us move.” (Ossie Davis)
In the above sentences, you can see that not is making another construction such as ‘not only’.
What Did You Learn?
Cannot is more preferable term than can not. Cannot is a contraction of two words can and not, which is used to express the inability or incapacity to do something. Its abbreviated term is can’t. However, you can use can not when can and not express two separate constructions within a sentence.