Cannot Vs Could Not. I cannot eat tripe. I cant swim here - this does not necessarily mean you do not know how to it can also be because you are bound by some rules etc you may be banned from the pool say.
In formal writing and where contractions are frowned upon use cannot. They can also mean that someone does not have permission when can takes the place of may. Cannot and Cant Both cannot and cant mean that a person or object does not have the ability to do something.
Oct 05 2011 Could and can both mean the same thing which is why they are commonly confused.
As for can not. Cannot and Cant Both cannot and cant mean that a person or object does not have the ability to do something. Even if I were starving I could not eat tripe. In formal writing and where contractions are frowned upon use cannot.
