Have you ever wondered whether to use cannot or can not when expressing an inability to do something? Both forms exist in English, but they have slightly different meanings!
Understanding this small yet significant difference can help improve your writing and speaking skills. So, let’s break it down in a fun and easy way!
CANNOT: When to Use It?
CANNOT is the more commonly used form and is written as one word. It means “not able to” or “unable to” do something. You’ll often find cannot in formal writing and daily conversations.
📝 Examples:
✅ Time past cannot be called back again.
✅ She cannot afford a new dress.
✅ The athletes cannot compete while suspended.
✅ I cannot only grow begonias but also identify them.
✅ You cannot make a crab walk straight.
💡 Quick Tip: You can also use can’t in informal speech instead of cannot.
CAN NOT: When to Use It?
The phrase can not (two words) is used when can is followed by not only… but also. It emphasizes additional information rather than simple negation.
📝 Examples:
✅ Roads can not only ruin the countryside but also divide communities.
✅ This product can not only smooth the throat but also cure common throat infections.
✅ The CIP system can not only clean the medicines but also control microorganisms.
✅ It can not only cure the disease but also strengthen the body.
More Tips To Use Cannot🎯
✔️ Use cannot when expressing inability or prohibition.
✔️ Use can not when can comes before not only… but also.
✔️ In informal speech, you can replace cannot with can’t.
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