TextRanch

The best way to perfect your writing.

Discover why 1,062,726 users count on TextRanch to get their English corrected!

1. Input your text below.
2. Get it corrected in a few minutes by our editors.
3. Improve your English!

One of our experts will correct your English.

i cannot vs I can not

Both "I cannot" and "I can not" are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "I cannot" is the more common and formal way to express inability or prohibition, while "I can not" is less common and may be used for emphasis or to create a pause between the words.

Last updated: March 21, 2024 • 826 views

i cannot

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to express inability or prohibition.

Use "I cannot" to express inability or prohibition in a formal context.

Examples:

I cannot attend the meeting tomorrow.
I cannot accept this offer.

Show examples from the web [+]

also i cannot post the real code due the limit comment form
i cannot, and will not allow her to step one foot out of this secured area, let alone on patrol.
How do I do if i cannot receive or print the Voucher? 12.
I cannot set a good lineup.
I cannot apologise enough, Mrs Pegasus.
I cannot decide whether that makes you trustworthy...
Joe: Yes, i don't know what to say, i cannot tell you what this group is because we never played together a note. But this guy, Lelo Nika, is the greatest accordion player who has ever lived.
I cannot conceal our condition from the british indefinitely.
Because I cannot stay within these walls.
I cannot change Papa's mind.
I cannot begin to imagine the pain.
I cannot make sticky with anyone else.
And even I cannot convincingly whip myself.
I cannot precisely pinpoint its location.
I cannot sell makeup when civilization is collapsing.
I cannot fathom my father's regret.
I cannot parse these words or their meanings.
What I cannot ignore is your betrayal.
I cannot contemplate such a thing.
I cannot support closing places of worship.

Alternatives:

I can't
I'm unable to

I can not

This phrase is correct but less common in English. It may be used for emphasis or to create a pause between the words.

Use "I can not" for emphasis or to create a pause between the words, but it is less common than "I cannot".

Examples:

I can not believe my eyes.
I can not, in good conscience, support this decision.

Show examples from the web [+]

May 19, 2009 ... 1451 Paston Lett. 140 I. 186 Other tydyngs as yett can I non tell you. Ibid. 172 I. 229 Whethir it be thus or non I can not say. 15.. Plumpton Corr.
Feb 15, 2010 ... "I can not eat ice cream" Means that I have the ability to choose to not eat it. ( Could be used ... "I can not drink if I want to". Versus...See More.
Oct 22, 2013 ... I can not make love to you. (Same as above. But also: Reckon with the possibility of my refusing to make love to you. Put differently: I am able to ...
I like big butts and I can not lie. You other brothers can't deny. That when a girl walks in with an itty bitty waist. And a round thing in your face. You get sprung

Alternatives:

I cannot
I can't

Related Comparisons

What Our Customers Are Saying

Our customers love us! We have an average rating of 4.79 stars based on 283,125 votes.
Also check out our 2,100+ reviews on TrustPilot (4.9).

"Thank you!"
Sachi Nakama July 2024
"I have literally been through chat, PI, claude, bard and bing and I got conflicting answers! Thank you! Human intelligence reigns!"
Retha July 2024
"Faster than AI"
CYNTHIA December 2023
"This was very helpful and I personally think this site is the best."
Kaden October 2023
"It was extremely thorough and very helpful!"
imperialelisa October 2023
"7 years without any disappointment. Always 100% satisfied. You guys are the best in the world at what you do. Thank you so much :)"
Zubair Alam October 2023
"In a world of text messages and online communication, this is great to have as a live tool. Thank you."
Selena October 2023
"Without textranch I would be stuck!"
宏祐 October 2023
"Accuracy and fast response. Personal comments from editor. Thank you."
Clh September 2023
"I wasn't aware of this service, it's fascinating and more reliable than standard IA tools available on the internet"
Arturo September 2023
"The fact that you can get reliable fast feedback on your texts."
Vinicius Antonio August 2023
"you guys are better than grammarly i'm being honest here"
ordinary July 2023
"OMG! This is really good than any other text correction tools I've used so far. Highly recommend this."
Vehan July 2023
"Very fast and accurate. thank you."
mojtaba July 2023
"I love this app because it's help to writing skills all of students ♥️"
Tarisini July 2023
"This was exactly the mistake I was looking for, the wording dind´t sound right at first. Better than grammarly!"
Ente July 2023
"The immediate help that I received was reassuring and very satisfactory. Thanks."
priiiyanshuu July 2023
"this helps A LOT for my studies."
kathnunez02 June 2023
"Woow!! I would never have expected such precision! Thank you soooo much!!"
Berta June 2023
"Real Time Editor and not AI. Many Thanks."
Priya June 2023
"The very first thing excites me about Textranch is how much your editors care."
sepideh June 2023
"The fact that texts are checked by human editors rather than by AI, etc. I appreciate this!"
Анна June 2023
"Feel welcome, immediate response, high quality feedback"
martin.roy June 2023
"This is the best app that I have ever seen"
Burulai May 2023

Why choose TextRanch?

Lowest prices
Up to 50% lower than other online editing sites.

Fastest Times
Our team of editors is working for you 24/7.

Qualified Editors
Native English experts for UK or US English.

Top Customer Service
We are here to help. Satisfaction guaranteed!