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Guest Posted 22 years ago
Grammar

Proper Use of Apostrophes (Dos and Don'ts about Do's and Don't's)

In the phrase, "do's and don't's, " what is the proper use of the apostrophes used to pluralize these words? For example, it may be written in an article as "The do's and don't's of successful gardening." I have seen it written as "dos and don'ts," "do's and don'ts," etc. What is proper for this phrase?
  

Top answer

There is no answer that will not raise a storm of protest from some quarter, Guest. Some say that apostrophes should NEVER be used for plurals, hence: "dos and don'ts". I personally do not like that 'dos', which looks like computer software, and would be happy to settle for the mongrel solution, "do's and don'ts".

— Mister Micawber

  • There is no answer that will not raise a storm of protest from some quarter, Guest.
  • Some say that apostrophes should NEVER be used for plurals, hence: "dos and don'ts".
  • I personally do not like that 'dos', which looks like computer software, and would be happy to settle for the mongrel solution, "do's and don'ts".
  • Purists from both sides would decry that, however, and some would opt for the more consistent "do's and don't's"-- which I don't like because of the plethora of apostrophes in the latter word.
  • Good luck in all your endeavors.
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23 Answers
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There is no answer that will not raise a storm of protest from some quarter, Guest. Some say that apostrophes should NEVER be used for plurals, hence: "dos and don'ts". I personally do not like that 'dos', which looks like computer software, and would be happy to settle for the mongrel solution, "do's and don'ts". Purists from both sides would decry that, however, and some would opt for the mo
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From Brad Brown. 3:43:16 PM - Saturday, June 30, 2007

Please check here for more information:

<owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/grammar/g_apost.html>
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0How would I use the apostrophe for this: Ross' Handyman or Ross's Handyman0-
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0I would write Ross's 0-
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It should be Ross' Handyman
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AnonymousIt should be Ross' Handyman

"should be"?

There is no universal agreement on this. But since most people would say "Rossiz" the extra s after the ' makes sense to me.
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According to the Gregg Reference Manual: "To form the possessive of a singular noun that ends in an s sound, be guided by the way you pronounce the word. If a new syllable is formed in the pronunciation of the possessive, add an apostrophe plus s."

Ex: your boss's approval (you pronounce it as bosses); therefore, add the apostrophe.

Also according to the Gregg Reference Manual: "
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Evening!

I'm an author and dislike the everchanging rules of grammar as much as anyone else does. Grammar was invented to facilitate communication, especially written communication when voice inflection cannot be heard. However, I write serious novels, as opposed to trashy stories, and my readers don't care about grammar rules (for the most part) when abiding by them makes reading diffi
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Wouldn't it depend on if "Ross" is a single person or if you are speaking the handyman who works for a family whose last name is "Ross".

Although I have read about the situation where you do it the way you were to pronounce it, such as saying it outloud as "rosses" so the correct answer would be "Ross's". Though whether that is because its possessive or because a letter is "missing" I'm
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I've got to say, not sure I agree with you. If we accept that language is evolving, using an apostrophe to distinguish plural form of one word from an entirely different word with the same spelling is perfectly acceptable. non-disputal rules? don't think so, everythings disputable, its not like the written English language popped into existence in this form.
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