cannot - Meaning, Image, Examples & Etymology - Learn English Visually

cannot

|can-not|

/ˈkænɒt/

(can)

container or ability

Base Form	Plural	Present	3rd Person Sing.	Past	Past	Past Participle	Past Participle	Present Participle
can	cans	cans	cans	canned	could	canned	could	canning

Etymology

Etymology Information

'cannot' originates from the Old English 'cunnan', meaning 'to know' or 'to be able to'.

Historical Evolution

'cunnan' evolved into the Middle English 'can', and the negative form 'cannot' was established in modern English.

Meaning Changes

Initially, it meant 'to not know or be able to', but now it signifies inability or impossibility.

Meanings by Part of Speech

Modal Verb 1

the negative form of 'can', indicating inability or impossibility.

I cannot swim.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples

Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:39