Donts or Don’ts: Which Spelling Is Correct? Complete Grammar Guide

Have you ever wondered whether “donts” or “don’ts” is the correct spelling? This is a common question because English punctuation rules can sometimes feel confusing, especially when apostrophes are involved.

If you’re writing an article, email, school assignment, or business document, using the correct form helps your writing look professional and grammatically accurate. In this guide, you’ll learn the difference between donts and don’ts, why one is correct, common mistakes to avoid, and plenty of examples to help you remember the rule.

Quick Answer

✅ Don’ts is the correct spelling.

❌ Donts is incorrect in standard English.

The word don’ts is the plural form of don’t (do not). The apostrophe remains in the word when forming the plural.

Example:

• The teacher explained the do’s and don’ts of classroom behavior.
• Here are some important don’ts for job interviews.

Understanding the Meaning of Don’ts

The word don’ts refers to actions, behaviors, or practices that people should avoid.

It is commonly paired with do’s, which are recommended actions.

Examples

• The company shared the do’s and don’ts of workplace communication.
• Parents often teach their children basic do’s and don’ts.
• The travel guide included several cultural don’ts for visitors.

In simple terms:

• Do’s = Things you should do
• Don’ts = Things you should not do

Why Is “Don’ts” Correct?

The word comes from the contraction don’t, which means do not.

When making contractions plural, the apostrophe usually stays because it is part of the original word.

Formation

Singular	Meaning	Plural
don’t	do not	don’ts

Therefore:

• One rule: “Don’t talk loudly.”
• Several rules: “Here are some don’ts.”

This follows standard English grammar and punctuation conventions.

Why “Donts” Is Incorrect

The spelling donts removes the apostrophe from the contraction.

Since don’t contains an apostrophe, dropping it creates a nonstandard spelling that is generally considered incorrect in formal and academic writing.

Incorrect Examples

❌ Follow these important donts.

❌ The article lists several donts.

❌ Here are the travel donts.

Correct Versions

✅ Follow these important don’ts.

✅ The article lists several don’ts.

✅ Here are the travel don’ts.

Donts or Don’ts: Comparison Table

Feature	Donts	Don’ts
Correct English spelling	❌ No	✅ Yes
Accepted in formal writing	❌ No	✅ Yes
Uses proper punctuation	❌ No	✅ Yes
Found in dictionaries	❌ Rarely	✅ Yes
Recommended for professional writing	❌ No	✅ Yes

Examples of Don’ts in Sentences

Seeing a word in context makes it easier to remember.

Workplace Examples

• The handbook explains the do’s and don’ts of office etiquette.
• New employees receive a list of workplace don’ts.
• These don’ts can help prevent communication problems.

School Examples

• Students learned the do’s and don’ts of online learning.
• The teacher posted classroom don’ts on the wall.
• Following these don’ts creates a better learning environment.

Travel Examples

• Every country has unique cultural don’ts.
• Travelers should research local don’ts before visiting.
• Ignoring cultural don’ts can lead to misunderstandings.

Social Media Examples

• The article discusses social media don’ts.
• Avoid these common don’ts when posting online.
• Understanding social media don’ts protects your reputation.

Common Mistakes People Make

Many writers accidentally use the wrong form because pluralizing contractions is unusual.

Mistake 1: Removing the Apostrophe

❌ Donts

✅ Don’ts

The apostrophe remains because it is part of the contraction.

Mistake 2: Using an Extra Apostrophe

❌ Don’t’s

✅ Don’ts

Adding another apostrophe before the “s” is incorrect.

Mistake 3: Assuming All Plurals Avoid Apostrophes

Many grammar rules discourage apostrophes in regular plurals.

For example:

• Books ✅
• Cars ✅
• Apples ✅

However, don’ts is different because the apostrophe already belongs to the contraction don’t.

The Rule for Pluralizing Contractions

When a contraction becomes plural, the apostrophe generally stays.

Examples

Singular Contraction	Plural Form
don’t	don’ts
can’t	can’ts
won’t	won’ts
isn’t	isn’ts

These forms are less common than don’ts, but they follow the same principle.

Do’s and Don’ts: A Popular Expression

One reason people search for donts or don’ts is the famous phrase:

“Do’s and Don’ts”

This expression refers to recommended and discouraged actions.

Examples:

• The do’s and don’ts of public speaking
• The do’s and don’ts of job interviews
• The do’s and don’ts of social media marketing
• The do’s and don’ts of healthy eating

This phrase appears frequently in business, education, travel, and self-improvement content.

American vs British English

Good news: there is no major difference between American and British English regarding this word.

Both varieties of English prefer:

✅ Don’ts

Both consider donts a misspelling in standard writing.

Whether you’re writing for readers in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, or elsewhere, don’ts is the recommended form.

Memory Trick to Remember the Correct Spelling

A simple trick is to remember where the word comes from.

Step 1

Think of the contraction:

don’t = do not

Step 2

Make it plural:

don’t → don’ts

The apostrophe stays because it was already part of the original word.

If you remember the source word don’t, you’ll rarely make the mistake of writing donts.

When Should You Use Don’ts?

Use don’ts whenever you’re talking about multiple things people should avoid.

Examples

• Interview don’ts
• Parenting don’ts
• Writing don’ts
• Fitness don’ts
• Leadership don’ts
• Marketing don’ts
• Travel don’ts
• Safety don’ts

The word is especially useful in instructional and educational content.

Related Words and Synonyms

Depending on context, you may also use:

• Prohibitions
• Restrictions
• Mistakes to avoid
• Bad habits
• Guidelines
• Warnings
• Rules
• Things not to do
• Forbidden actions
• Common errors

These alternatives can improve writing variety while maintaining the same meaning.

FAQs

Is it don’ts or donts?

Don’ts is correct. Donts is considered a misspelling in standard English.

Why does don’ts have an apostrophe?

Because it comes from the contraction don’t, and the apostrophe remains when the word becomes plural.

Is donts ever acceptable?

In formal, academic, and professional writing, donts is generally not accepted. Use don’ts instead.

How do you write “do’s and don’ts” correctly?

The standard form is:

Do’s and Don’ts

This phrase refers to recommended and discouraged actions.

Is there a British spelling of don’ts?

No. Both British and American English use don’ts.

Can I use don’ts in business writing?

Yes. It is widely accepted in professional documents, guides, manuals, and workplace policies.

What is the singular form of don’ts?

The singular form is don’t, although it is usually used as a contraction rather than as a noun.

What is the easiest way to remember the spelling?

Remember that don’ts comes from don’t. Since the original word contains an apostrophe, the plural keeps it.

Summary

When comparing donts or don’ts, the correct spelling is don’ts. The word comes from the contraction don’t (do not), and the apostrophe remains when the word is pluralized. This makes don’ts the accepted form in standard English grammar, professional writing, educational materials, and everyday communication.

The spelling donts may occasionally appear online, but it is generally considered incorrect. If you want your writing to look polished and grammatically accurate, always choose don’ts. Whether you’re creating a workplace guide, writing a blog post, or explaining rules to students, using the correct form strengthens your credibility and clarity.

Actionable Takeaway

Whenever you’re unsure, think of the original word don’t. If the apostrophe exists in the singular form, it stays in the plural form too. Write don’ts, avoid donts, and you’ll be following standard English grammar every time.