What to Know 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. In some cases, the not following can is in fact part of another phrase, such as “not only"; in such instances can not is the appropriate choice. In this video, learn the difference between: ' cannot ', ' can not ' and 'can't'. Cannot is the negative form of the verb can. Simply replace 'can' with ' cannot '... Cannot or Can Not – Created by 7ESL Cannot or Can Not | Definition, Usage Cannot : Meaning: It is the more common and preferred form of negating “can.” It indicates that something is impossible or not allowed. Use: “ Cannot ” is a single word and is typically used in most cases where you need to express inability or prohibition. Examples: “I cannot attend the meeting tomorrow.” “You cannot park here.” Explanation: “ Cannot ” is the standard, more frequent form, used to show ... Learn the difference between cannot (one word) and can not (two words), and when to use them correctly. Cannot is the negative form of the modal verb can, while can not is a contraction of cannot .
