The Quick Answer
Cannot (one word) is the most common expansion of the contraction can’t.
Cannot (one word) is the expansion of the contraction can’t.
Can’t can also be expanded to can not (i.e., two words), but this is less common and usually reserved for emphasis.
Can’t can also be expanded to can not (two words), but this form is less common and often used for emphasis.
For example:
I cannot do it!
(Can’t is usually expanded to cannot.)
Can’t is usually expanded to cannot.
I can not do it!
(This is considered more emphatic.)
This is more emphatic.
Of course, the words can and not sometimes appear alongside each other when the not forms part of another construction (such as not only).
Of course, can and not sometimes just happen to be next to each other due to their respective collocations.
For example:
Kevin can not only rap but dance too.
Kevin can not only rap but also dance.
(Here, can not must be written as two words. It is not an expansion of can’t.)
(Here, can not must be written as two words, and it is not an expansion of can’t.)
◆◆Cannot or Can Not?◆◆
Cannot and can not are interchangeable as expansions of the contraction can’t.
Cannot and can not are interchangeable as expansions of can’t.
However, the modern preference is to use cannot. Of note, many spellcheckers even highlight can not as an error.
However, in modern usage, people prefer to use cannot. Notably, many spell checkers even highlight can not as a spelling error.
◆◆Examples of Cannot and Can Not◆◆
Here are some famous quotes featuring cannot and can not.
Here are some famous quotes featuring cannot and can not for your reference.
You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.✔
You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.
-Abraham Lincoln
-Abraham Lincoln (16th President of the United States)
There cannot be a crisis next week. My schedule is already full.✔
There cannot be a crisis next week; my schedule is already full.
-Henry A. Kissinger
-Henry A. Kissinger
Conflict can not survive without your participation.✘
Conflict cannot survive without your participation.
-Wayne Dyer
-Wayne Dyer
(We have marked this wrong because can not is not the modern convention. We marked this as incorrect because can not is not the modern usage.)
A flower cannot blossom without sunshine, and man cannot live without love.✔
A flower cannot blossom without sunshine, and man cannot live without love.
-Max Muller
-Max Muller
Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.✔
Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.
◆◆Can Not Used for Emphasis◆◆
You should use can not over cannot when the not is emphasized.
You should consider using can not instead of cannot only when not is used for emphasis.
For example:
I can not tolerate laziness!✔
I cannot tolerate laziness.
The two-word version makes it clearer that the word not should be emphasized. This is most useful in an exclamatory sentence, i.e., one that ends in an exclamation mark.
The two-word version makes it clearer that the emphasis is on the word not. This is most useful in exclamatory sentences, i.e., those that end with an exclamation mark.
◆◆
When You Must Use Can Not
◆◆
It is possible to see can and not as two separate words, especially with the correlative conjunction not only…but also.
It is possible to use can and not as two separate words, especially with the correlative conjunction not only…but also.
Danielle can not only cook but also bake.✔
Danielle can not only cook but also bake.
My dog can not only roll over but also play dead.✔
My dog can not only roll over but also play dead.
In these examples, cannot is not an option.
In these examples, cannot is not an option.
Now that you’ve seen this,
Do you understand now?
