Don’ts or Donts can be confusing because the word is formed from the contraction don’t, which already contains an apostrophe. The standard spelling is don’ts, with an apostrophe, when referring to things people should avoid doing.
The apostrophe matters because don’ts preserves the original contraction. This guide explains why don’ts is the standard form, whether donts is ever acceptable, and how to use the word correctly in everyday writing.
Dos and Don’ts Examples
Dos and don’ts is an expression used to describe things that someone should do and things they should avoid doing in a particular situation.
For example, a guide about job interviews might include these dos and don’ts:
Do arrive on time.
Do dress appropriately.
Do prepare for common questions.
Don’t interrupt the interviewer.
Don’t arrive late.
Don’t use your phone during the interview.
Together, these recommendations can be called the dos and don’ts of a job interview.
The expression can be used for almost any situation, including travel, workplace etiquette, social behavior, writing, cooking, exercise, and everyday activities.
For example:
Here are some important dos and don’ts for visiting a new country.
The dos describe recommended actions, while the don’ts describe actions to avoid.
Don’ts or Don’t’s Meaning
The correct plural form of don’t when referring to things that should not be done is generally written don’ts, not don’t’s or dont’s.
Don’t is a contraction of do not. When it is used as a noun to mean an action that should be avoided, its plural is don’ts.
For example:
The article explains the dos and don’ts of professional email etiquette.
Here, don’ts means things you should not do.
The apostrophe is retained because don’t already contains an apostrophe representing the missing o in do not.
The spelling dont’s is incorrect because it removes the original apostrophe and then adds another one before the s.
The form don’t’s is also generally unnecessary and is not the preferred modern spelling.
So the recommended form is:
don’t → don’ts
Dos and Don’ts Meaning
Dos and don’ts means a collection of recommended and discouraged actions.
The word dos refers to things that are advisable or acceptable to do, while don’ts refers to things that should be avoided.
For example:
Learn the dos and don’ts before starting a new job.
This means you should learn both the appropriate things to do and the things you should avoid.
Another example is:
The teacher gave us a list of the dos and don’ts for the school trip.
The list might include:
Dos:
Follow the schedule.
Stay with your group.
Bring necessary supplies.
Don’ts:
Leave the group without permission.
Ignore safety instructions.
Damage property.
The expression is useful because it communicates positive and negative guidance in a short, familiar phrase.
Don’ts or Don’t’s in a Sentence
Use don’ts when the word functions as a plural noun meaning actions that should be avoided.
For example:
The guide explains the don’ts of online communication.
One of the biggest don’ts is sharing confidential information.
We discussed the don’ts before beginning the activity.
When paired with dos, the standard expression is:
The presentation covered the dos and don’ts of public speaking.
Avoid writing dont’s in these sentences. Without the apostrophe in don’t, the spelling no longer preserves the contraction from do not.
You may also see don’ts in some writing systems or editorial styles, but don’ts clearly preserves the apostrophe in the original contraction and is a common modern form.
Don’ts or Don’t’s Examples
Here are examples showing how don’ts works as a plural noun:
The handbook lists the dos and don’ts of workplace behavior.
These are the most important don’ts when traveling abroad.
We discussed the don’ts of professional communication.
The instructor explained several don’ts before the lesson began.
Knowing the basic dos and don’ts can help you avoid common mistakes.
Here is a simple comparison:
Correct:
Follow these dos and don’ts when writing a formal email.
Incorrect:
Follow these dos and dont’s when writing a formal email.
The second version incorrectly removes the apostrophe from don’t before adding the plural ending.
Dos and Don’ts Correct Spelling
The commonly recommended spelling of the expression is:
dos and don’ts
The important detail is that dos does not normally need an apostrophe.
A common older or informal spelling is:
do’s and don’t’s
However, when do and don’t are being used as nouns to refer to recommended and prohibited actions, the plural forms are generally written dos and don’ts.
Compare:
dos and don’ts ✓
do’s and don’t’s — commonly seen, but less preferred in modern usage
dos and dont’s ✗
do’s and dont’s ✗
For example:
The website published a guide to the dos and don’ts of social media etiquette.
This form is concise, clear, and appropriate for most modern English writing.
Don’ts or Dont’s Grammar
The spelling confusion comes from the fact that don’t already contains an apostrophe.
Don’t is a contraction:
do not → don’t
When you make it plural as a noun, you add s after the existing apostrophe:
don’t → don’ts
You do not replace the original apostrophe, and you do not add another apostrophe before the s.
Therefore:
don’ts ✓
not:
dont’s ✗
and generally not:
don’t’s ✗
The same principle explains why dos does not require an apostrophe. The noun do can simply take the plural ending:
do → dos
Thus, the complete expression is:
dos and don’ts
For example:
Before your first day at work, learn the basic dos and don’ts of office etiquette.
5 Examples of Dos and Don’ts
Here are five simple examples of dos and don’ts that demonstrate how the expression is used in real situations.
1. Job Interview
Do: Arrive a few minutes early.
Don’t: Arrive late without contacting the interviewer.
2. Classroom
Do: Listen while the teacher is speaking.
Don’t: Interrupt other students unnecessarily.
3. Professional Email
Do: Use a clear subject line.
Don’t: Write the entire message in capital letters.
4. Restaurant Etiquette
Do: Treat the staff respectfully.
Don’t: Speak loudly enough to disturb other diners.
5. Online Communication
Do: Think carefully before posting something publicly.
Don’t: Share someone else’s private information without permission.
In each case, the dos identify recommended behavior, while the don’ts identify behavior to avoid.
Dos vs. Don’ts at a Glance
| Term | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| do | An action that is recommended | Do arrive on time. |
| dos | Recommended actions, used as a plural noun | The guide lists several dos. |
| don’t | A contraction of “do not” | Don’t interrupt. |
| don’ts | Actions that should be avoided | The guide lists several don’ts. |
| dos and don’ts | Recommended and discouraged actions together | Learn the dos and don’ts first. |
The easiest form to remember is dos and don’ts: dos means things you should do, while don’ts means things you should not do.
Quick Answer
Is It “Donts” or “Don’ts”?
Don’ts” is the correct spelling.
The word don’ts is the plural form of don’t, meaning things that should not be done.
“Donts” is generally considered incorrect in standard English because it omits the apostrophe from the original contraction.
What Does “Don’ts” Mean?
Don’ts refers to actions, behaviors, or practices that people should avoid.
It is commonly used alongside dos in advice, instruction, and guideline content.
Examples
- Here are the dos and don’ts of job interviews.
- The teacher explained the classroom don’ts.
- Every company has safety don’ts that employees must follow.
Usage Rule
When a contraction becomes a plural noun, the apostrophe is usually retained.
Correct: don’t → don’ts
Key Insight
Don’ts functions as a noun, not a verb.
In the sentence:
“Learn the dos and don’ts of social media.”
The word don’ts means prohibited actions.
What Does “Donts” Mean?
Donts is generally viewed as a misspelling in modern standard English.
While some writers remove apostrophes from plural forms, major style guides and dictionaries overwhelmingly prefer don’ts.
Examples of Incorrect Usage
❌ Here are the dos and donts of investing.
❌ Learn the basic donts of customer service.
Correct Versions
✅ Here are the dos and don’ts of investing.
✅ Learn the basic don’ts of customer service.
Key Insight
In formal writing, business communication, academic work, and professional content, don’ts is the accepted spelling.
Donts vs Don’ts: Key Differences
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Donts | Don’ts |
|---|---|---|
| Standard English | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Dictionary Accepted | ❌ Generally No | ✅ Yes |
| Contains Apostrophe | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Professional Writing | ❌ Avoid | ✅ Recommended |
| Meaning | Misspelling | Things not to do |
Meaning Comparison
Don’ts
- Correct spelling
- Plural noun
- Means prohibited actions
- Widely accepted
Donts
- Usually considered incorrect
- Rarely used in edited writing
- May confuse readers
- Not recommended
Real-World Usage Scenarios
Example 1: Workplace Training
Employee: “Where can I find the safety donts?”
Manager: “You mean the safety don’ts. They’re in the handbook.”
🎯 Lesson: Professional documents use don’ts.
Example 2: Blogging
Writer: “Top 10 social media donts.”
Editor: “Change it to don’ts before publishing.”
🎯 Lesson: Correct spelling improves credibility.
Example 3: School Assignment
Student: “I listed the classroom donts.”
Teacher: “Use don’ts because it’s the accepted plural form.”
🎯 Lesson: Academic writing prefers don’ts.
Example 4: Business Communication
Draft:
❌ Employee Conduct Donts
Revised:
✅ Employee Conduct Don’ts
🎯 Lesson: Apostrophe retention follows standard usage.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Removing the Apostrophe
❌ donts
✅ don’ts
Why It Happens
Many people learn that apostrophes are often avoided in plurals and mistakenly remove them here.
Mistake 2: Assuming All Plurals Lose Apostrophes
While most plural nouns do not use apostrophes, words formed from contractions are an exception.
Examples:
- don’t → don’ts
- can’t → can’ts
- won’t → won’ts
Mistake 3: Copying Informal Internet Usage
Some social media posts omit apostrophes for convenience, but professional writing standards still favor don’ts.
Memory Trick
A simple way to remember the correct spelling:
Keep the Apostrophe Alive
Start with:
don’t
Now make it plural:
don’t + s = don’ts
The apostrophe stays because the word comes directly from the contraction.
Easy Shortcut
Think:
If the word starts as “don’t,” the apostrophe doesn’t disappear.
Conclusion
When comparing donts or don’ts, the correct choice is don’ts.The next time you write about rules, guidelines, or advice, remember: the apostrophe stays, so “don’ts” is the correct form.