Cannot or Can not?

[Yurt]

I always thought it was "cannot" but my boss told me that I was wrong and that I must use "can not." He pays, so I spell his way. I have seen different examples of it, but lately I keep seeing high court opinions and I see "cannot"

I know this is cheesy, but hey, its the lounge...

[Kathianne]

I always thought it was "cannot" but my boss told me that I was wrong and that I must use "can not." He pays, so I spell his way. I have seen different examples of it, but lately I keep seeing high court opinions and I see "cannot"

I know this is cheesy, but hey, its the lounge...

For me, cannot.

[Abbey Marie]

I always thought it was "cannot" but my boss told me that I was wrong and that I must use "can not." He pays, so I spell his way. I have seen different examples of it, but lately I keep seeing high court opinions and I see "cannot"

I know this is cheesy, but hey, its the lounge...

Wanting to use grammar correctly is never cheesy. I think "cannot" is fine.

[manu1959]

I always thought it was "cannot" but my boss told me that I was wrong and that I must use "can not." He pays, so I spell his way. I have seen different examples of it, but lately I keep seeing high court opinions and I see "cannot"

I know this is cheesy, but hey, its the lounge...

your boss is an attorney huh?

http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/cannot

cannot is acceptable and correct

i uses can not a lot huh?

[Yurt]

your boss is an attorney huh?

http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/cannot

cannot is acceptable and correct

i uses can not a lot huh?

Yes. I am paid to "draft" the appellate briefs, writs, complaints... I at first listened to him, because, as you say, he is an attorney, however, it has been nagging me. And since I "drafted" a published case, and I am soon to be sworn in, I want to make sure my writing "samples" are in order.

[diuretic]

Am I too late? Having read the opinions of my fellow posters I concur - the proper useage is "cannot". Perhaps there's a legal style manual available which can assist you?

"Can not" isn't just wrong, it's offensive to the eye. Try saying it out loud and compare how it feels and sounds with "cannot". It inhibits communication. It just feels wrong.

Perhaps it's valid for an emphasis:

"Mum can I go to the pub?"

"No, you can not! You know you drink too much and then you're unfit for school the next day! No, you definitely can not!"

But I say the person cannot go to the pub.

Yes I'm pedantic.....:laugh2:

[Yurt]

Thank you all! I think I'll have the showdown today :coffee:

[Hagbard Celine]

Your boss is a mo-mo. It's "cannot."

[dan]

Your boss is a mo-mo. It's "cannot."

I believe it's 'momo'.

Dumbass.

[Hagbard Celine]

I believe it's 'momo'.

Dumbass.

It can be spelled either way. Potato, potahto. http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=mo-mo

[The ClayTaurus]

An interesting take (http://alexfiles.com/cannot.shtml)...

[Yurt]

Your boss is a mo-mo. It's "cannot."

As long as he can spell "pay to the order of..."

[dan]

It can be spelled either way. Potato, potahto. http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=mo-mo

:popcorn::popcorn::popcorn::popcorn::popcorn: