Dos and Don’ts: Spelling & Usage Guide 2026: Ever paused mid-sentence, fingers hovering over the keyboard, wondering where the apostrophes belong in “dos and don’ts”? You’re not alone — it’s one of the most confusing punctuation questions in English. Should it be dos and don’ts, do’s and don’ts, or do’s and don’t’s?
This guide breaks down the meaning, origin, and exact grammar rules so you can write it with confidence every time.
Quick Answer: What Does “Dos and Don’ts” Mean?
“Dos and don’ts” refers to a set of rules, advice, or guidelines about what you should and shouldn’t do in a specific situation — the standards of acceptable and unacceptable behavior in a given context.
- Grammar classification: Plural idiom / noun phrase
- Synonyms: Guidelines, rules, etiquette, protocol, code of conduct
Real-World Examples
- “Before traveling overseas, research the local dos and don’ts of dining etiquette.”
- “Our company handbook outlines the core dos and don’ts of workplace communication.”
- “Knowing the dos and don’ts of job interviews can make or break your chances.”
The Grammar Debate: Which Spelling Is Correct?
The confusion isn’t about meaning — it’s about punctuation. English rarely uses apostrophes to form plurals, which makes pluralizing a short word like “do” feel awkward. Different style guides handle it differently:
| Spelling | Recommended By | Best Used For |
| Dos and don’ts | Chicago Manual of Style | Books, academic writing, formal documentation |
| Do’s and don’ts | AP Stylebook | Journalism, newspapers, digital media |
| Do’s and don’t’s | Not recommended | Considered visually cluttered — avoid |
1. Dos and Don’ts (Chicago Style)
This is the most widely accepted spelling in modern grammar references. “Dos” works as the plural of “do,” while “don’ts” uses its apostrophe only for the contraction (do not).
2. Do’s and Don’ts (AP Style)
AP Style adds an apostrophe to “do’s” purely for readability — it keeps readers from misreading “dos” as “dose” at a glance.
3. Versions to Avoid
- “Do’s and don’t’s” — two apostrophes look cluttered and are rarely used correctly.
- “Dos and donts” — dropping the apostrophe from “don’t” turns it into a spelling error, since “dont” isn’t a valid word.
Where the Phrase Comes From
Etymologists trace the pairing of “do” and “don’t” back to the early 1900s. It grew naturally out of spoken English, shortening longer behavioral instructions (“things you ought to do and ought not to do”) into a quick, paired phrase — eventually becoming a staple of everyday and professional English.
4 Punctuation Rules for Tricky Plurals
- Apostrophes show possession or contraction — not plurals. You write cats, CDs, and 1990s without apostrophes.
- Awkward plurals are the exception. Single letters often take an apostrophe for clarity, like “mind your p’s and q’s” or “she earned all A’s.”
- Contractions keep their internal mark. In “don’ts,” the apostrophe replaces the missing “o” in “do not” — not the plural “s.”
- Stay consistent. Pick one style (Chicago or AP) and use it throughout the same piece of writing.
FAQs
Is “dos” a real word in English? Yes — here, it’s the plural noun form of “do,” meaning “actions to perform.” Separately, “do” can also informally mean a party or gathering, as in “a big birthday do.”
Should I capitalize “Dos and Don’ts” in a title? Yes. In title case, capitalize both principal words: “Dos and Don’ts.”
How do I use “dos and don’ts” in a formal essay? It works fine in moderation, but for a more formal academic tone, you can substitute it with “guidelines,” “recommended practices,” or “rules of conduct.”
Which spelling should I use if I’m not sure? “Dos and don’ts” (no apostrophe on “dos”) is the safer default — it’s the Chicago Manual of Style standard and works well across most general writing.
