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Subject:Re: cannot vs. can not From:MAGGIE SECARA <SECARAM -at- MAINSAVER -dot- COM> Date:Wed, 12 May 1999 10:01:02 -0700
If the question is, Is "cannot" a word: yes, it is and has been for quite
some time.
All the reasons for using it instead of can not aren't really necessary. Can
we move on?
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Owen Clancy [SMTP:clancy -at- CABOOLTURE -dot- NET -dot- AU]
> Sent: Wednesday, May 12, 1999 3:30 AM
> To: TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU
> Subject: Re: cannot vs. can not
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Elaine Malfas [SMTP:ecmalfas -at- LVP -dot- COM]
> Sent: Wednesday, 12 May 1999 6:47
> To: TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU
> Subject: Re: cannot vs. can not
>
> My 2 cents:
>
> The Associate Press Stylebook lists "cannot" as acceptable. It is also
> listed in the Webster's New World Compact Desk Dictionary as "cannot."
>
> IMHO "can not" is awkward to read because it induces a pause.
>
> --Elaine
>
> "Can not" could also introduce ambiguity. If I say "You cannot fly there"
> that connotes an unambiguous meaning about the relationship between you
> and
> flying there- you are unable, unwilling or not allowed to do it. However,
> if I say "You can not fly there", what does that mean? Am I saying that
> you
> can choose to fly there or not to fly there, or am I saying that you are
> not allowed to fly there?
>
> Owen Clancy
>
