"cannot" or "can not"

Subject: "cannot" or "can not"
From: "C L" <cll01821 -at- lycos -dot- com>
To: "TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2005 15:54:48 -0500


A software developer wants to use "You can not enter a blank password." instead of "You cannot enter a blank password." in the user interface. My fellow technical writer and I tried to convince him, and another development manager, that "cannot" is the preferred usage and, most often, also the grammatically correct usage.

The developer and manager contend that it is a matter of personal preference and that either spelling is acceptable, as long as the spelling is consistent. The manager also noted that Microsoft's grammar and spelling tools do not flag "can not" as incorrect.

I sent them links to various online resources indicating that "cannot" is usually more correct because "can not" often leads to a different meaning. For example, "You cannot enter a blank password." means that you are not able to enter a blank password. "You can not enter a blank password." means that you are able to not enter a blank password.

Can any of you point me to a site that would end this discussion?

Thanks.

Carol


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