Apr 20, 2021 · The words "cannot" and "can't" only mean "not able to." The phrase "can not" may mean "cannot" or "can't," but it also may mean "able not to," which is much different than "not …

Aug 20, 2012 · Stylistically, the choice between can't and cannot is more complex. Generally, people use can't in speech and informal writing, and cannot or can not in formal writing or very …

Both are acceptable, but cannot is now more common. OED has this much to say about cannot: (ˈkænət) the ordinary modern way of writing can not: see CAN v. Notwithstanding, in some …

Oct 23, 2014 · OED-cannot definition: the ordinary modern way of writing can not. Both cannot and can not are acceptable spellings. There’s no difference in meaning between cannot and …

Nov 8, 2013 · "cannot not say" would only rarely be used in English, and only in very specific circumstances. In particular, this is not a simple double negative. "cannot not" does not mean …

Feb 15, 2012 · Cannot is the only negative form that contains not rather than -n't. Theoretically, since it is a single word, you can say why cannot you... without a problem. My theory is that …

Dec 10, 2018 · "Cannot" can be written in almost all cases but it's also possible to use "can not". You generally need to use it only if it's a part of some other construction, such as "not …

Sep 19, 2023 · The terms cannot and can not are identical in meaning and are typically considered to be alternate forms of one another. However, the form cannot is much more …

Oct 29, 2010 · The construction cannot help but probably arose as a blend of cannot help and cannot but; it has the meaning of the first and the syntax of the second: We cannot help but …

Oct 15, 2015 · In an earlier posting of the same question (now closed), someone very helpfully gave a link to this Google Ngram, which helpfully demonstrates that while the use of "cannot …