Many students and English learners feel confused when writing the plural of “don’t.” They often see two forms: “donts” and “don’ts.”
The confusion happens because:
- Some people remove the apostrophe and write donts
- Others keep the apostrophe and write don’ts
- English rules for apostrophes can feel unclear
Because of this, many learners are not sure which form is correct, especially in writing like essays, emails, or social media.
In this article, everything will be explained in very simple English so you can clearly understand the correct form and use it with confidence.
Quick Answer
Here is the simple and clear answer:
- Don’ts is the correct form.
- Donts is not correct in standard English.
- The apostrophe must stay because the word comes from “don’t.”
- Don’ts means things you should not do.
So always write: don’ts
Simple Background of the Word
The word “don’t” is a short form (contraction) of:
do not → don’t
The apostrophe ( ’ ) replaces the missing letter “o” in not.
When we want to make a plural list of things people should not do, we turn don’t into don’ts.
Examples:
- dos and don’ts
- list of don’ts
- common don’ts
Because the original word has an apostrophe, the plural form keeps it.
Clear Explanation of the Difference
Now let’s look at both forms clearly.
Don’ts
Don’ts is the correct form.
It is a plural noun, and it means:
- things you should not do
- actions to avoid
Examples:
- Learn the dos and don’ts of the interview.
- Here are some social media don’ts.
- These are important safety don’ts.
This form is correct in books, schools, and formal writing.
Donts
Donts is not correct.
It is missing the apostrophe from don’t.
People often write donts because:
- they forget the apostrophe
- they type quickly
- they think plurals do not need punctuation
However, in this case, removing the apostrophe makes the word incorrect.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Don’ts | Donts |
|---|---|---|
| Correct spelling | Yes | No |
| Has apostrophe | Yes | No |
| Used in formal writing | Yes | No |
| Meaning clear | Yes | No |
| Recommended to use | Yes | No |
This table clearly shows that don’ts is the correct form.
Which One to Use and When
You should use don’ts when you are talking about things people should not do.
Here are common situations.
Rules and Advice
Example:
“Follow these dos and don’ts during the exam.”
Social Behavior
Example:
“There are many don’ts in formal meetings.”
Safety Instructions
Example:
“These are important workplace don’ts.”
Everyday Guidance
Example:
“Here are some travel don’ts to remember.”
In all these situations, the correct form is don’ts.
Common Mistakes People Make
Many learners make similar mistakes with this word.
Removing the Apostrophe
Incorrect:
“Learn the dos and donts.”
Correct:
“Learn the dos and don’ts.”
Thinking Apostrophes Are Not Needed
Some people believe apostrophes are only for possession, not plurals.
But here, the apostrophe is part of the original word don’t, so it must stay.
Typing Quickly
Sometimes people type fast and forget the apostrophe.
Always check your writing and add it back.
Everyday Real-Life Examples
Let’s see how don’ts is used in daily communication.
Example in an Email
“Please review the company dos and don’ts before starting work.”
Example in School
“Teachers explained the exam don’ts to students.”
Example in News
“The article shared travel don’ts for tourists.”
Example on Social Media
“Here are some fitness don’ts you should avoid.”
Example in Conversation
Person A:
“What should I avoid in the interview?”
Person B:
“I’ll tell you the don’ts.”
These examples show how common the word don’ts is in everyday English.
Learning Tips for Students and Beginners
Here are two simple tricks to remember the correct form.
Remember the Original Word
The word comes from don’t.
So the plural keeps the apostrophe:
don’t → don’ts
Think of “Dos and Don’ts”
This phrase is very common:
dos and don’ts
If you remember this phrase, you will always use the correct spelling.
(FAQ)
Is donts a real word?
No. Donts is not correct in standard English.
What is the correct form?
The correct form is don’ts.
Why does don’ts have an apostrophe?
Because it comes from the word don’t, which already has an apostrophe.
What does don’ts mean?
Don’ts means things you should not do.
Is don’ts used in formal writing?
Yes. It is commonly used in both formal and informal writing.
Can I write dos and donts?
No. The correct form is:
dos and don’ts
Is the apostrophe always needed?
Yes, in this word, the apostrophe must stay.
Can don’ts be used in instructions?
Yes.
Example:
“Follow these safety don’ts carefully.”
Conclusion
The difference between donts and don’ts is simple but important.
Don’ts is the correct form. It keeps the apostrophe from the word don’t and means things you should not do.
Donts, on the other hand, is incorrect because it removes the apostrophe and breaks the correct spelling.
To avoid confusion, remember this simple rule:
Always write don’ts, not donts.
Once you remember the original word don’t, using the correct plural becomes easy and natural.
Weston Maddox is both an author and administrator at SpellCorrect. He oversees site operations while creating accurate, easy-to-understand content focused on correct spelling and proper word usage, helping readers improve writing clarity, precision, and confidence across academic, professional, and everyday English communication.
