One word or two

Cannot vs. Can not

Cannot, written as one word, is the standard way to say can not. Can not, as two words, is used mainly when not belongs to a different part of the sentence, as in You can not only watch but also join.

Word	Part of speech	Meaning
cannot	verb	is not able to, or is not allowed to; the usual written form
can not	phrase	can followed by a separate not that goes with a later word, as in not only

Cannot

verb: is not able to, or is not allowed to; the usual written form

I cannot find my keys anywhere.
Visitors cannot park in the staff lot.

Can not

phrase: can followed by a separate not that goes with a later word, as in not only

You can not only rent bikes here but also buy them.
On weekends you can not set an alarm and just sleep in.

How to remember the difference

Write cannot as one word unless the not belongs with the next word, as in not only. Can't is the short form of cannot.

Good to know

Some writers use can not as two words for emphasis, and dictionaries record it, but most editors and style guides prefer cannot. In speech and casual writing, can't is the usual contraction.

Spot the mistake

I ~~can not~~ cannot believe how fast this year went by.
Correct: I cannot believe how fast this year went by.

Check yourself

Pick the word that fits each sentence.

1. Sorry, we take reservations for Friday night.

2. This tool only cut wood but also drill holes.