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Whatchadoin Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Cannot

Cannot you do it? - This shouldn't be used, should it?
Can not you do it? - The same as above?

Should I use "Can you not do it?" in formal writing?
  

Top answer

I dare say both are correct. Can you not do it is more formal( assuming cannot you do it is formal) so yes, you can use it in formal writing.

— Nugso

  • I dare say both are correct.
  • Can you not do it is more formal( assuming cannot you do it is formal) so yes, you can use it in formal writing.
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2 Answers
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I dare say both are correct. Can you not do it is more formal( assuming cannot you do it is formal) so yes, you can use it in formal writing.
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The first two are ungrammatical.

Say one of the following.

Can't you do it?
Can you not do it? - slightly more formal
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