Cannot, Can Not, Can't - Learn English Grammar

In this video, learn the difference between: 'cannot', 'can not' and 'can't'.

Cannot is the negative form of the verb can. Simply replace 'can' with 'cannot' to make the sentence negative. Notice how 'cannot' is one word, with two n's.

Can't is the contracted form of 'cannot'. You can think of it as the short form. To use it, simply replace 'can' with 'can't' to make the sentence negative. 'Can't' is the most common choice in American English and using it will help you sound fluent and natural.

'Can not' is not the negative form of the verb can. If you use it as the negative form, it's a spelling mistake. It is grammatically possible to have 'can' and 'not' side by side in a sentence. This can happen if the verb of your sentence is 'can' and then you have an expression with not, like 'not only X, but also Y'. This isn't common, but it is possible.

Watch the lesson now to learn these rules in detail so you can learn English grammar and feel confident using 'cannot' 'can not' and 'can't'.

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[nacciomart]

Hi Jennifer, great explanation!!
- I cannot help you with your homework..
- I can't help you with your homework.
- I can not only help you with your homework, I can also take care of your pet (I'm the best friend 😉).

[Mikael]

I can’t stop my English learning, because I’ve been studying English for eight years, I cannot give up on my dreams. I can’t stop watching your videos lessons, because I see you one of the best YouTubers!

[marccos]

I'm brazilian, and I don't speak english very well. In the begining you say " diference between" those words but the correct would not be "among" since there are more than two.

[shadab_]

1. I cannot breathe because of oxygen shortage
2. I can't' breathe because of oxygen sortage (same as 1st)
3. I can not only breathe, but also fart

[SunilYadav-vwcd]

👉I can't go out of my home in this squally weather.
👉I cannot wait until improve the weather, it's lightening, omg 😱, what to do.
👉I can not only understand the English but speak too, after learning from jforest English. 😊😊

[maazahmedshaikh]

I can't leave this channel.
I cannot stop myself watching and listening to Jennifer.
I can not only subscribe but also hit the bell Icon.

Cheers,
Maaz Ahmed Shaikh

[GauravMendse]

Wow, didn't noticed such minute details while using them the cannot, can't or can not. This is your first ever video I watched and I feel to watch more now! Thanks for your efforts on helping people to improve their English!!

[healingremedy]

Hi Jennifer thank you for your class! I wondered if "cannot" as in one word is not used in British English. Earlier, I discussed the difference between "cannot" and "can not" with my friend from New Zealand. Surprisingly, he said "cannot" as one word is not correct in British English grammar but "can not" as two words they use. He said he was aware that Americans started using "cannot" as one word in the last several decades.
I'd like to ask you if you agree with his explanation. Thank you for your attention.

[yousifmustafaa]

I cannot walk under the sun it's so hot .


I can't go to nightclub every day .

I can not play two halves of football match, but also I can score .

[juanangelmunozgonzalez]

Osea que las 3 tienen el mismo significado y uso?

Then the 3 sentences had the same ... No pude, no se ingles XD

[amyyiu]

I cannot understand what is going on with the CORONAVIRUS around the world.
I can't travel out of my country because our country borders are closed.
I can not only buy eggs, I can also buy milk and cheese.

[avinashnarsigadoo]

Hello Jennifer, I'm Noveysha. These are my examples:
I cannot go to school tomorrow.
I can't sleep well.
I can not only come in your birthday party but l can also send a gift.

[vajhuamsibluag]

When I learned English in the late 60’s & 70’s using English books 900 series from England, can not was not spelled cannot! In the 80’s when I took English in Denver community college and Sacramento city college, I was never taught that can not was spelled cannot. Until Microsoft words came to play in writing in late 80’s and early 90’s, can not became cannot. I thought Microsoft made mistake. If the helping verb can can be spelled cannot, why can’t other helping verbs be spelled in same way, such as will not=willnot, have not=havenot, do not=donor so on and so forth?

[annatorey]

So with "can not, " the "not" is part of the phrase that follows the verb and essentially means you can do the negative phrase. Before this video, I just assumed it was an incorrect form of "cannot."

[ilianaherrera]

I cannot go with my sister to see a doctor. Because I can't drive my car.

I can't call you tonight.


I can not learn English very fas, but I study every day.

[Psychonaut-imzz]

what does it imply (at first glance) if I say:

you can't go there.
you can not go there.
you cannot go there.

[carmendelgado]

I can see.
I can dance.
I can learn.

I can't drive.
I can't play hockey.
I can't swim.

I cannot drive.
I cannot play hockey.
I cannot swim.

*I am here watching this video and practicing this with my English students (Spanish speaking adults)! These are our practice sentences. Thank you for this great video! I cannot wait to see another one and am a new subscriber!

[tedagneseifu]

I cannot sleep before pray. or I can't sleep before pray.I can not only pray every night, but I also sing a song.

[tedagneseifu]

I can not only study grammar, but I can also writing practice for two hours.

[starcityproductions]

I don't understand why English try to complicate things unnecessary. Both words means the same either spelt cannot or can not.