Meaning & use
do and don'ts
Last updated
Meaning
nounplural
A list of the things you should do and the things you should avoid in a particular situation.
Grammar: Always plural, so it takes a plural verb: the dos and don'ts are simple.
Patterns
- the dos and don'ts of something
- the dos and don'ts for something
The guide lists the dos and don'ts of visiting a temple.
Before the trip, we reviewed the dos and don'ts of local etiquette.
The dos and don'ts of job interviews are easy to learn.
Common combinations
- the dos and don'ts of dating
- She wrote a column on the dos and don'ts of dating.
- learn the dos and don'ts
- New hires must learn the dos and don'ts of the lab.
- a list of dos and don'ts
- A list of dos and don'ts was taped to the fridge.
- basic dos and don'ts
- Here are some basic dos and don'ts for hikers.
- dos and don'ts of etiquette
- He studied the dos and don'ts of business etiquette.
Synonyms and how they differ
- guidelines
- Guidelines are broader advice that may not be split into things to do and avoid.
- rules
- Rules are more formal and enforced, while dos and don'ts are friendly advice.
- tips
- Tips are only helpful suggestions, with no 'don't' side.
- etiquette
- Etiquette refers to social customs and fits social behavior only.
Word family
Commonly confused: do and don'ts or do's?
do and don'ts vs do's
The apostrophe form do's is common, but dos is cleaner; both refer to recommended actions.
Practice
Before the trip, our guide explained the ___ of dining etiquette in Japan.
Choose one answer.
Dos and don'ts means things to do and avoid. Ups and downs and odds and ends are different fixed phrases.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “do and don'ts”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.