Square Wheels Posted January 5 Share #1 Posted January 5 and should always be cannot, what is can't a contraction of? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
groupw Posted January 5 Share #2 Posted January 5 All I could think of is this Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maddmaxx ★ Posted January 5 Share #3 Posted January 5 This may be a serious question. I can't see the solution. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffJim Posted January 5 Share #4 Posted January 5 2 minutes ago, maddmaxx said: This may be a serious question. I can't see the solution. Mark as Solution 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerrySTL ★ Posted January 5 Share #5 Posted January 5 I ain't got a clue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razors Edge ★ Posted January 5 Share #6 Posted January 5 Only @MoseySusan can be counted on to solve this puzzle! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirby ★ Posted January 5 Share #7 Posted January 5 Per Merriam Webster, both cannot and can not are fine, but cannot is recommended because it's more common. Quote Both cannot and can not are perfectly fine, but cannot is far more common and is therefore recommended, especially in any kind of formal writing. Can't has the same meaning, but as with contractions in general, it is somewhat informal. In some cases, the not following can is in fact part of another phrase, such as “not only"; in such instances can not is the appropriate choice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralphie ★ Posted January 5 Share #8 Posted January 5 I am sure Thaddeus may mention the Cannot Cycle. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bikeman564™ Posted January 5 Share #9 Posted January 5 I can not under stand this 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoseySusan ★ Posted January 5 Share #10 Posted January 5 1 hour ago, Razors Edge said: Only @MoseySusan can be counted on to solve this puzzle! Nope. 1 hour ago, Kirby said: Per Merriam Webster, both cannot and can not are fine, but cannot is recommended because it's more common. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsharr ★ Posted January 5 Share #11 Posted January 5 3 hours ago, Square Wheels said: and should always be cannot, what is can't a contraction of? cannot. Just a contraction for informal writing. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Solution MoseySusan ★ Posted January 5 Solution Share #12 Posted January 5 3 hours ago, Square Wheels said: and should always be cannot, what is can't a contraction of? Contractions are for informal writing, like letters to friends or comments in online forums. If the situation requires formal written expressions, use the word cannot. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoseySusan ★ Posted January 5 Share #13 Posted January 5 But, it doesn’t end there. The two-word expression can also be more appropriate when placing emphasis on the negative or when part of a compound sentence, as in We can not give in, nor will we! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razors Edge ★ Posted January 5 Share #14 Posted January 5 16 minutes ago, MoseySusan said: Nope 12 minutes ago, MoseySusan said: Contractions are for informal writing, like letters to friends or comments in online forums. If the situation requires formal written expressions, use the word cannot. 1 minute ago, MoseySusan said: But, it doesn’t end there. The two-word expression can also be more appropriate when placing emphasis on the negative or when part of a compound sentence, as in We can not give in, nor will we! Still sticking to the "Nope"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoseySusan ★ Posted January 5 Share #15 Posted January 5 Consider also the ambiguity created in a statement like You can not reply to this drivel. Does the statement mean I am unable to reply, or does it mean I am empowered to refrain from reply? We avoid such ambiguity with the single word cannot or the contraction can’t. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoseySusan ★ Posted January 5 Share #16 Posted January 5 5 minutes ago, Razors Edge said: Still sticking to the "Nope"? Since you’ve asked, nope. How can I not reply when there are shades of meaning, rhythm, and emphasis to consider? The original question could be answered with a keystroke level response; simply tap out the common expression and be done with it. But, my work here isn’t done until we’ve drawn back the veil and stepped through to illumination. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsharr ★ Posted January 5 Share #17 Posted January 5 1 minute ago, MoseySusan said: Since you’ve asked, nope. How can I not reply when there are shades of meaning, rhythm, and emphasis to consider? The original question could be answered with a keystroke level response; simply tap out the common expression and be done with it. But, my work here isn’t done until we’ve drawn back the veil and stepped through to illumination. nope Nope NOPE BMBM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MickinMD ★ Posted January 5 Share #18 Posted January 5 3 hours ago, Square Wheels said: and should always be cannot, what is can't a contraction of? Can't has to be a contraction on CANnoT, it "can't" be a contraction of "can not" or else it would be "can 't." Personally, I think can not is fine, especially if you're making a strong statement like "can NOT." If that's not officially good, wait a while - they keep loosening the rules. They used to say you can't end a sentence in a preposition, but now the experts in English grammar are saying it's ok if the sentence becomes awkwardly worded to avoid it. For example, I don't care with which way it's thought. I think it's less awkward to say I don't care which way it's thought of - and virtually every other sentence I end with a preposition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shootingstar Posted January 5 Share #19 Posted January 5 43 minutes ago, MoseySusan said: But, it doesn’t end there. The two-word expression can also be more appropriate when placing emphasis on the negative or when part of a compound sentence, as in We can not give in, nor will we! Yes, if one also imagine for drafting of legislation by a lawyer, how such wording can be critical. One never sees word contractions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoseySusan ★ Posted January 5 Share #20 Posted January 5 22 minutes ago, MickinMD said: They used to say you can't end a sentence in a preposition, but now the experts in English grammar are saying it's ok if the sentence becomes awkwardly worded to avoid it The experts are E.B. White, who edited and published The Elements of Style, by William Strunk Jr., in 1957. The original text having been published in 1935. It has been a minute, as the popular expression goes, since writers were admonished to avoid ending a sentence with a preposition, and that so-called grammar rule never rose to a position of popular caution, like ,say, the toxic result of mixing bleach and ammonia. No comparison. You can totally let it go. 😃 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zealot Posted January 5 Share #21 Posted January 5 45 minutes ago, MoseySusan said: Since you’ve asked, nope. How can I not reply when there are shades of meaning, rhythm, and emphasis to consider? The original question could be answered with a keystroke level response; simply tap out the common expression and be done with it. But, my work here isn’t done until we’ve drawn back the veil and stepped through to illumination. This made my day! Preach! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maddmaxx ★ Posted January 5 Share #22 Posted January 5 3 hours ago, Ralphie said: I am sure Thaddeus may mention the Cannot Cycle. Now you're injecting some heat into the discussion. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralphie ★ Posted January 5 Share #23 Posted January 5 2 hours ago, MoseySusan said: position of popular caution, like ,say, the toxic result of mixing bleach and ammonia. Ahhh. Good old webbie. What a story that was! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razors Edge ★ Posted January 6 Share #24 Posted January 6 21 hours ago, MoseySusan said: Since you’ve asked, nope. How can I not reply when there are shades of meaning, rhythm, and emphasis to consider? The original question could be answered with a keystroke level response; simply tap out the common expression and be done with it. But, my work here isn’t done until we’ve drawn back the veil and stepped through to illumination. Is it done now? I'm glad to think that you are the right person here to tackle the original question, but I'm still a wee bit puzzled as to whether @Square Wheels is happy with the final explanation. Regardless, thanks for digging deeper than your initial modest response An understanding of the nuances of the English language is one of your superpowers, and we enjoy the deeper dives (no single keystroke or tap could suffice) you often provide. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now