Meaning & use
dos or do's
Last updated
Meaning
phrasefixed phrase
Used to ask or talk about the correct way to write the plural of 'do' (a task or event), either as 'dos' or 'do's'.
Grammar: This is a fixed phrase used in questions or discussions about spelling; it is not a sentence on its own.
Patterns
- Is it dos or do's?
- write dos or do's
I never know whether to write 'dos' or 'do's' when I mean a list of tasks.
The teacher asked: 'Is it dos or do's in this sentence?'
In formal writing, many style guides accept both 'dos' and 'do's', but 'dos' is more common.
Common combinations
- dos and don'ts
- The guide lists the dos and don'ts of job interviews.
- a list of dos
- She made a list of dos for the new employees.
- the dos and don'ts
- He explained the dos and don'ts of social media.
Commonly confused: dos or do's or dos? dos or do's or do's?
dos or do's vs dos
In music, 'dos' is the plural of 'do' (the first note of a scale), and in Spanish it means 'two'. Context usually makes the meaning clear.
dos or do's vs do's
This is the alternative spelling of the plural of 'do' (a task). It is often used to avoid confusion with 'dos' meaning notes or the Spanish word.
Practice
Which sentence uses the correct spelling for the plural of 'do' meaning a task?
Choose one answer.
'Dos' is the most common modern spelling for the plural of 'do' meaning a task. 'Do's' (option 0) is also accepted but less common in British English. 'Does' (option 2) is the third-person singular of the verb 'do' or the plural of 'doe' (a female deer), and 'doos' (option 3) is not a word.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “dos or do's”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.