cannot

[kan-ot, ka-not, kuh-]

verb

1. a form of can not.

cannot

/ kæˈnɒt, ˈkænɒt /

verb

1. an auxiliary verb expressing incapacity, inability, withholding permission, etc; can not

Spelling Note

Cannot is sometimes also spelled can not. The one-word spelling is by far the more common: Interest rates simply cannot continue at their present level. The contraction can't is most common in speech and informal writing.

Word History and Origins

Origin of cannot¹

A Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. cannot but, have no alternative but to.

   We cannot but choose otherwise.

see under can't.

Example Sentences

“Newsmax cannot sue their way out of their own competitive failures in the marketplace to chase headlines simply because they can’t attract viewers,” the company said in a statement.

From Los Angeles Times

Instead, shows will take place on the 20 and 21 September, with refunds available for those who cannot attend the rescheduled dates.

From BBC

Nobody can be expected to walk into the international game without that knowledge, and you cannot have that without playing a volume of cricket.

From BBC

However Shell has been told it cannot begin production until a fresh decision has been made by the UK government.

From BBC

“Any cooling device will be ineffective if too expensive to operate because renters cannot afford the electricity,” he wrote in an email.

From Los Angeles Times