Today it’s a moot point. I know my word processor takes any of those that are being discussed.

I hope I am not too late for most in this discussion.

Cannot is a little freak of nature, like most irregular english spellings. When you say “cannot” you don’t say the “n” twice, but in “can not” you do. English was first written down phonetically and therefore this little slip of the tongue (which is called degemination, technically) was written this way to reflect the sound. It fossilized as a traditional spelling and Goddess knows, prescriptive linguists are loathe to change any spelling to a more rational form. They also don’t like alternative spellings, so you guys would drive them insane (incidentally, George Bernard Shaw was an advocate of a more phonetic spelling system, so you’re in good company).

BTW, i think that the fact that “cannot” underwent degemination at some point in time is a good clue that english speakers treat it as one word… we usually don’t do things like that across word boundaries.

I LOVE the word mangleslang, but I hate the concept. If you understand what is meant by a word, phrase or sentance produced by a native speaker of a language, that utterance is correct. ANy other judgement is of the speaker, not the sentance.

Sorry, long post.

As for the use of “can not” and “cannot” — I think it would follow that the word cannot as a contraction of the negation of the word can. Example: I have not seen this — there’s no word called havenot. If there were, it’d probably be okay if “cannot” were seen as precedent.

I am not an english major.

Can not or cannot, that is the question.

ETA: I’m in the UK so UK English’d be appreciated.

Awwwe, FANKOO, Jennifer!! I iz honerd.

–E[/quote]

I, too, thank you. Was talking this way to the Kermit bananas, as they were all totally green, in the grocery store today. I can haz no cheeznanners?

Awwwe, FANKOO, Jennifer!! I iz honerd.

–E

I have no idea what you’re talking about.[/quote]

Teho, I ♥ you.

I have no idea what you’re talking about.

“MANGLESLANG” will be in Webztar’z dikshinarry nezt yeer.

Yeah, it’s a grammar debate. On ICHC. Over a caption on a cat in a basket. We all need hobbies, Teho. you should know that.

-E

I ARE COMFUXED??

One word.

Can not makes no sense.[/quote]

From Webster’s: “Cannot – v. – a form of can not.”

One word.

Can not makes no sense.

You should really look for GPS devices that give voice feedback so you’re not taking your eyes off the road.

“Mrrrrmaoorrwwrw.”
“1234 South Broad Street.”
“mrr….mrrrr… Meowraaerrrrtwww.”
“what?”
“meowrraeerrrtwwww.”
“uh, you mean, turn right?”
“**HISS!!**”
“Oh, Left, sorry. Left?”
“mrrrwoowwwr.”
“uh… how many miles?”
“*PURRRRRRR*”