cannot: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
A1Formal, neutral, and informal. Most common in written and careful spoken English, though 'can't' is more frequent in speech.
Quick answer
What does “cannot” mean?
Used to express the inability or lack of permission to do something.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Used to express the inability or lack of permission to do something; the contraction or single-word form of 'can not'.
A modal auxiliary verb expressing impossibility, prohibition, or a high degree of improbability. It can also imply a physical, logical, or moral impossibility.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major usage differences. Both prefer 'cannot' in formal writing and 'can't' in speech. 'Can not' is slightly more acceptable in AmE for emphasis.
Connotations
Identical connotations of denial, impossibility, or prohibition.
Frequency
Equally frequent and standard in both varieties. The contracted form 'can't' is dominant in speech in both.
Grammar
How to Use “cannot” in a Sentence
cannot + base form of verb (cannot go)cannot + have + past participle (cannot have seen)cannot + be + -ing form (cannot be sleeping)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cannot” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- One simply cannot park there, it's a double yellow line.
- I'm afraid I cannot agree with your assessment.
American English
- You cannot turn left at this intersection.
- We cannot proceed without the committee's approval.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used to state policy restrictions or functional limitations. 'The system cannot process refunds after 30 days.'
Academic
Used to express logical impossibility or limitations of a theory. 'These results cannot be explained by the current model.'
Everyday
Used for personal inability or prohibition. 'I cannot come to the phone right now.'
Technical
Used to describe system constraints or physical impossibilities. 'The engine cannot operate without coolant.'
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cannot”
- Misspelling as 'can not' in formal writing.
- Using 'could not' for present impossibility.
- Omitting the auxiliary: e.g., 'I not go' instead of 'I cannot go'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Cannot' is the standard, unified form. 'Can not' is used less frequently, often for emphasis or when 'not' is part of a separate construction like 'not only... but also'.
It is neutral to formal in writing. In informal speech, the contraction 'can't' is almost universally used.
In British English, it's /ˈkænɒt/. In American English, it's commonly /ˈkænɑːt/ or /ˈkænət/. The stress is always on the first syllable.
Yes, especially when the future inability is perceived as a current fact or rule. E.g., 'I cannot meet you tomorrow as I'll be abroad.'
Used to express the inability or lack of permission to do something.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “cannot help (oneself)”
- “cannot stand the sight of”
- “cannot make head nor tail of”
- “cannot hold a candle to”
- “cannot see the wood for the trees”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of it as one word because you CANNOT separate the ability (can) from the negation (not) when expressing impossibility.
Conceptual Metaphor
BLOCKAGE/PROHIBITION AS A BARRIER or INABILITY AS AN ABSENCE OF A PATH.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'cannot' correctly to express a logical impossibility?