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- Both cannot and can not are perfectly fine, but cannot is far more common and is therefore recommended, especially in any kind of formal writing. Can't has the same meaning, but as with contractions in general, it is somewhat informal.
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What is the difference between can and can not?
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What does 'can't' mean in writing?
Can’t is a contraction of cannot, and it’s best suited for informal writing. In formal writing and where contractions are frowned upon, use cannot. It is possible to write can not, but you generally find it only as part of some other construction, such as “not only . . . but also.”.
Jan 4, 2023 · Understanding the Difference: Can Not vs. Cannot. Let’s dive right into one of English language’s tricky duos: “can not” and “cannot.” You’ve probably seen both used, which might leave you scratching your head. After all, they look similar, but do they mean the same thing? The answer is yes… and no.
What to Know. Both cannot and can not are perfectly fine, but cannot is far more common and is therefore recommended, especially in any kind of formal writing. Can't has the same meaning, but as with contractions in general, it is somewhat informal.
Apr 28, 2013 · Both the one-word form cannot and the two-word form can not are acceptable, but cannot is more common (in the Oxford English Corpus, three times as common). The two-word form is better only in a construction in which not is part of a set phrase, such as ‘not only ... but (also)’: Paul can not only sing well, he also paints brilliantly.
May 9, 2024 · Both “cannot” and “can not” are used in British English. “Cannot” is more common and generally preferred in formal writing, while “can not” might appear in contexts where emphasis on the negation is required.
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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.
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.
