Pain in the English
Pain in the English

Unpacking English, Bit by Bit

A community for questioning, nitpicking, and debating the quirks and rules of the English language.

Pain in the English
Pain in the English

Unpacking English, Bit by Bit

A community for questioning, nitpicking, and debating the quirks and rules of the English language.

Username

Henri

Member Since

March 12, 2013

Total number of comments

1

Total number of votes received

3

Bio

Latest Comments

cannot vs. can not

  • March 12, 2013, 3:20am

Cannot and can not are both acceptable English, but they have different meanings.

"I can not" is stronger form of of "may not". It is possible that I can't, but the the possibility that I can is not excluded.
Example: I can or I can not go somewhere.

"I cannot" means that it is impossible.
Example: I cannot go anywhere