use of do not, don't, can not and can't

[nasty]

when can i use 'do not' and 'don't?
same with 'can not' and 'can't'.

Thanks in advance

[ctivnan]

when can i use 'do not' and 'don't?
same with 'can not' and 'can't'.

Thanks in advance

In formal academic writing, contractions are frowned upon, so instead of using "don't" or "can't," the writer should use "do not" or "can not/cannot." Sometimes, it also depends on the professor because some can be pedantic.

If you are speaking, you can use both structures (can not or can't / do not or don't).

Hope this helps! :happy0141:

[nasty]

thanks ma'am. i had to open my word and use its thesaurus in order for me to understand the 'contraction and pedantic' in your response :laugh1:

you mean ma'am i can use them without having to worry the past, present and future tense or they're not related at all?

also ma'am im a newbie here (just joined yesterday), i would appreciate it a lot if you correct whenever you bump into my post if im grammatically wrong.

Thanks and more power to this site

[ctivnan]

thanks ma'am. i had to open my word and use its thesaurus in order for me to understand the 'contraction and pedantic' in your response :laugh1:

you mean ma'am i can use them without having to worry the past, present and future tense or they're not related at all?

also ma'am im a newbie here (just joined yesterday), i would appreciate it a lot if you correct whenever you bump into my post if im grammatically wrong.

Thanks and more power to this site

:welcome: to English Coffee! :yey: If you want to learn more and meet new people, then this community is great for you! There are many Coffeers who are warm, kind and helpful! It's our pleasure to be of help! :smilie3:

Here, we encourage Coffeers to be conscious of proper capitalization and punctuation. Also, we use the preposition "about" after "worry." For more info on preposition and combinations, go to prepositions (http://english-coffee.com/forumdisplay.php?f=54). You'll also enjoy doing some activiies there provided by Q_sharon and other Coffeers.

e.g. Don't worry about making mistakes; that's how we learn. :HAPPY:

You use "do not" only in the PRESENT tense. It is used as a helping verb for a plural subject (noun/pronoun) and for the pronoun "I."

FORM: do not + simple verb form (i.e., no -s, -es, d, -ed, etc.)

e.g.
I do not drink energy beverages.
They do not like to make fun of others.
Many people do not want to lose their jobs.

As for "can not": you can use it in the PRESENT or FUTURE tense, depending on its meaning.


FORM: can / can not + simple verb form (i.e., no -s, -es, d, -ed, etc.)

e.g.
can - ability
I can sing very well.
I can not play any musical instruments.

can - possibility
I can see you tomorrow at the mall.
I can be available next week.

For more info on can go to modals (http://english-coffee.com/forumdisplay.php?f=55).

Hope this has helped you! :cute3:

[jassica]

when can i use 'do not' and 'don't?
same with 'can not' and 'can't'.

cannot and do not is British
can't and don't is American

[Jeff]

i see..., i think i'm started love this site because it very helpful for those who want to improve. :c_o_o_l:

[jackaddison]

i wanna improve my english hope u help me :)

[shah.baz]

you can use both as you wish.