I think when your blog title atracts more contention over its grammar, than what it’s actually saying, your best move is to change the title to something else.

I have to say I’m not a fan of the “Dos and don’ts” approach in general, as we see so much of it these days (with varied use of apostrophes), so it becomes invisible. Just Google Dos and Don’ts, and you’ll see what I mean.

Instead, I would suggest you come up with a new title, which is more informative about what your post is about: an encapsulation of the main point you are making. That way, your audience is more likely to read on, and you’ll probably eliminate any grammar debates in the process.

As for your original query, though, Sarah, I agree with your expression of Dos and Don’ts, simply because plurals should never be apostrophised. Allow the word Do’s through, and every grocer in the country will believe they were right all along.

Cheers and happy Cristmas to you both,

Jeremy

In this case, I think there’s no clear answer, which is why people have such strong views.

I think the difficulty arises because don’t already has an apostrophe, so we like to balance things out – hence do’s. We have no such problem with ins and outs because there’s not an apostrophe in sight.

To me, Dos suggests a text-based operating system with a good old C prompt (ah, those were the days) so I’d steer clear of it. Don’t's just looks plain bizarre; can you think of any other word with two apostrophes? I can’t.

So on balance, I’d plump for Do’s and don’ts, simply because it appeals to my sense of order, and avoids any confusion when it comes to recognising the first word. For the same reason, I’d write dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s, simply because dotting the is makes the reader stumble (is what?).

But there’s no hard and fast rule. As Terence said quot homines tot sententiae – so many men, so many opinions. (And women, of course.)

He also said fortune favours the brave, so I’d stick to your guns if I were you!

Best wishes,
Kevin

Thanks for the much needed post on apostrophes. It’s a good reminder. I’m glad, too, someone else gets niggled by misusage.

Maybe you can help me on an apostrophe stickler. I wrote a blog post titled Social Media Dos and Don’ts. A number of people have notified me I’ve included a grammatical error in my title. I’m being told it should read Social Media Do’s and Don’ts or Social Media Do’s and Don’t's. What are your thoughts on this? I’m stubbornly sticking to my guns and haven’t changed title.

Cheers,
Sarah