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  1. Cant 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.”

  2. 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.

  3. Feb 1, 2024 · Cannot” and “can not” might seem interchangeable, but a subtle difference sets them apart. While “cannot” offers simplicity and conventionality, suitable for most situations, “can not” provides emphasis or contrast in specific contexts.

  4. In grammar, ‘cannot’ is a contraction that merges ‘can’ and ‘not’. Contractions typically denote some form of negation. For instance, words like it’s (it is), don’t (do not), or she’ll (she will). In contrast to this pattern, you might find it odd that we also use ‘can not’.

  5. Apr 28, 2013 · 2. I have found both in texts of native English speakers but couldn't find the difference. In EL&U site people edited all my "can not" to cannot. So again I couldn't find out the matter. Which of them is correct English and is there any possible difference to use them in different situations? grammaticality. Share. Improve this question.

  6. Cannot” is a single word that indicates the inability or impossibility of doing something. It conveys a straightforward message of negation. On the other hand, “can not” consists of two words and is used in specific contexts where emphasis on “can” and “not” is necessary, often to emphasize an alternative. This subtle ...

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  8. 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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