[etni] Re: Cannot vs. Can not
- From: "Chaim Kleg" <chaim58@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <sbshai@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 25 Nov 2010 22:33:35 +0200
As a former journalist and professional writer (also in the present), I can
verify that "cannot" is the proper form. If you have any doubts, please
refer to the AP Style Book. I have attached a summary of the basic rules.
Depending on the level you are teaching, you might consider posting this for
your students.
As per assessment, I would correct the student; however, at the L2 level it
would be inappropriate to deduct for this type of error. It is an issue of
style, not grammar. Deducting points for such an issue at the L2 level is
quite criminal - in my opinion.
Please contact me if you have any questions on this matter.
Best Regards,
Chaim Kleg
-----Original Message-----
From: etni-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:etni-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf
Of sbshai
Sent: Thursday, November 25, 2010 9:55 PM
To: Rivka Lewenstein
Cc: etni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [etni] Re: Cannot vs. Can not
I CANNOT fathom why CAN NOT is unacceptable if it appears in a reliable
source, but since we CAN'T control the whims and wishes of authority figures
(AKA linguists, lexicographers, grammarians and the mightiest of them all --
the MOE), this may just remain another one of life's unresolved mysteries!
(BTW, my "heritage edition" of Merriam-Webster's lists the definition of
"cannnot" as "can not", so that should show 'em!)
Seriously, I must admit that I'm more than a bit jealous of teachers who
need to concern themselves with such matters, while I'm still trying to
convince 5 pointers that the present progressive CANNOT/ CAN NOT/CAN'T be
used in place of the present simple, as in the following case: I am always
coming late to English class. {Ed. comment: That's probably why you haven't
learned the difference between the simple and progressive tenses!}
Shabbat Shalom,
Batya
----- Original Message -----
From: "Rivka Lewenstein" <rlewen@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <etni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, 25 November, 2010 6:40 PM
Subject: [etni] Cannot vs. Can not
>A teacher asked me a question which has left me stumped. He said that he
>had
> seen a rule, and also seen papers where teachers took off points for
> breaking
> the supposed rule, that the only correct negative forms of "can" are
> "can't" and
> "cannot." According to this rule, "can not" is unacceptable.
>
> I had never heard of such a rule, and according to the Merriam-Webster's
> dictionary, both "cannot" and "can not" are acceptable, although "cannot"
> is
> more commonly used. However, this teacher wondered if this was a rule
> somehow
> specific to Israel - in other words, whether it's something that the
> English
> Inspectorate insists on regardless of what Merriam-Webster's and others
> say.
>
> So now I'm turning to you: Have any of you heard of this rule? If so, what
> are
> its origins? Is there anyone on ETNI land who would take off points if a
> student
> wrote "can not?" Why?
>
> Thanks,
> Rivka
>
>
>
>
> -----------------------------------------------
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