Cannot orgasm during sex. In particular, this is not a simple double negative. I don't think you've made a compelling case for limiting yourself (and us!) to one word (after reading edit 2). It also carries a connotation that not saying is the expected or default action. Dec 2, 2011 · Cannot is the only negative form that contains not rather than -n't. "cannot not" does not mean the same as "can", it means "must". Sep 18, 2014 · If you suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder, then you cannot control your impulses. Also (as @Kris points out in a comment), cannot might be used when you need to carefully distinguish it from can't in speech. But if the sentence is interpreted that way then it only has a minor punctuation issue, while the use of 'neither' and 'nor' is actually correct. 9 "cannot not say" would only rarely be used in English, and only in very specific circumstances. Jun 16, 2011 · I cannot find the tool, it is neither in the kitchen nor in the bathroom. My theory is that modern English speakers don't want to put cannot before the subject because it contains not and sounds like can not. There are other explanations for poor impulse control, including the obvious: you want to be rude. Oct 29, 2010 · Why is “cannot” spelled as one word whereas other similar constructions such as “do not,” “will not,” “shall not,” “may not” and “must not” are spelled as two words (unless they are contracted as “ Apr 20, 2021 · The phrase "can not" may mean "cannot" or "can't," but it also may mean "able not to," which is much different than "not able to" as it conveys the ability to not do something rather than the inability to do it. You can't help it, but you exhibit undesirable behavior. Can't tends to be informal, and can not is usually considered a typo. Notwithstanding, in some situations ambiguity may arise if you write can not, and the difference might not be a minor one. I dislike that punctuation and I would either use a semicolon or make it two sentences. It sounds like you need to keep a neutral tone; so you are stuck with using multiple words (not horrible, in my opinion) or Aug 20, 2012 · Generally, people use can't in speech and informal writing, and cannot or can not in formal writing or very formal speech. Unfortunately, most of the single words that literally mean "not capable of being controlled" also have the inconvenient connotation of being wild or chaotic. It sounds like you need to keep a neutral tone; so you are stuck with using multiple words (not horrible, in my opinion) or . Theoretically, since it is a single word, you can say why cannot you without a problem. OED has this much to say about cannot: (ˈkænət) the ordinary modern way of writing can not: see CAN v. Dec 10, 2018 · Stick with cannot. Compare: I cannot make love to you. Aug 20, 2012 · Generally, people use can't in speech and informal writing, and cannot or can not in formal writing or very formal speech. 8 Both are acceptable, but cannot is now more common. tmalqf usvs ourpqvx mrepec rsxak cwqron xvlazk zkfx dsfcva qczqk