English for Today by Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (Dr GAB)
CANNOT or CAN NOT?
Cannot is the negative form of the verb ‘can’. Note that it is not spaced in formal usage. It is contracted as can’t:
We cannot afford to miss Eid on this day.
Can not is used when the “not” is part of another phrase:
We can not only rejoice with the Muslim faithful but also pray that the joy of the day be theirs forever.
GAB
