Is "can not" one word or two?

[thomsbrain]

Originally posted by: johngute
can not = can't

incorrect. "can" and "not" are two seperate words with seperate meanings. "cannot" is a THIRD word which a THIRD meaning, which can be contracted down to can't. "can not" means something else and cannot be contracted. (pardon the pun).

 

[MySoS]

Originally posted by: silverpig
The correct way in all cases is to use two separate words. Laze and popular use of cannot has given it general acceptance. Other words such as altogether = all together are examples as well.

No, the correct way is always cannot.

 

[thomsbrain]

in case anyone STILL doesn't get it:

cannot = it is NOT in my power to do something
can not = it IS in my power to not do something

 

[Bv3]

http://www.askoxford.com/askth...q/aboutspelling/cannot

 

[thomsbrain]

Originally posted by: thomsbrain
in case anyone STILL doesn't get it:

cannot = it is NOT in my power to do something
can not = it IS in my power to not do something

and for your physics teacher:

i cannot give this student an "A" because he copied someone's work and school policy says i must flunk him.

i can not give this student an "A" because school policy says I can give whatever grades I feel like.

 

[tami]

so, did you do anything about it? cannot is definitely the correct spelling. prove your idiot teacher wrong!

 

[purbeast0]

you are joking, right?

if you think it is "can not" you must be a complete moron who failed grade school english class. it is one word, "cannot" and if you think the other, you are just dumb.

EDIT; and you should take a god damn dictionary to your teacher and get your 10 points back. and what kinda professor takes off 10% on a physics lab for misspelling a god damn word?

 

[mobobuff]

I always say cannot.

 

[maziwanka]

one word.

 

[Bassyhead]

one word: cannot

 

[purbeast0]

Originally posted by: Brutuskend
interesting

Also interesting (although not really)

 

[purbeast0]

whoops

 

[tami]

Originally posted by: purbeast0

Originally posted by: DrPizza
cigarette butts go in the can not on the ground.

2 words.

you forgot your comma between the 2. go back to grade school.

:thumbsup:

 

[clamum]

Kick your physics teacher in the face, it's "cannot."

 

[purbeast0]

Originally posted by: thomsbrain
i cannot go to the bathroom because all the urinals are taken.
i can not go to the bathroom if i choose not to.

two seperate meanings. determine what meaning you intended, then determine if you used "cannot" correctly.

but your double negative in the 2nd example is improper english.

 

[torpid]

Since when is grammar something you can grade off for on a physics lab?

 

[purbeast0]

Originally posted by: thomsbrain

Originally posted by: thomsbrain
in case anyone STILL doesn't get it:

cannot = it is NOT in my power to do something
can not = it IS in my power to not do something

and for your physics teacher:

i cannot give this student an "A" because he copied someone's work and school policy says i must flunk him.

i can not give this student an "A" because school policy says I can give whatever grades I feel like.

dude please tell me you are just trolling ... PLEASE!!

 

[Kelemvor]

Just go grab a dictionary and show it to the prof. If it's that big of a deal, complain to the dean.

 

[royaldank]

cannot

One word. Ask any English prof. at your school. Or my school...or any school for that matter.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: neonerd
MS word accepts both, but my physics teacher took 10 points off my lab because i spelled it "cannot"

He just picks on me because my grade is about 7 points higher than the second best student in the class

dictionary.com says 1 word.

grab a dictionary and point it out. then demand the points back. if he doesn't, take it up with school admin.