Many writers are unsure whether the plural form of “to do” should be written as “to dos” or “to do’s.” The confusion happens because “to do” looks like a phrase rather than a normal noun, and people often add an apostrophe when making unusual words plural.
The correct spelling in modern American English is usually “to-dos” (with a hyphen) or “to-dos” without the apostrophe. The form “to do’s” is generally considered incorrect when you mean multiple tasks or items on a list.
Quick Answer
The correct plural form is “to-dos.” Use it when talking about multiple tasks, responsibilities, or things you need to complete.
✅ Correct: I wrote my weekend to-dos on a sticky note.
❌ Incorrect: I wrote my weekend to do’s on a sticky note.
The apostrophe in “to do’s” is not needed because apostrophes usually show possession or missing letters, not simple plurals.
What Does “To-Do” Mean?
To-do is a noun that means a task, job, or activity that needs to be completed.
Examples:
- I have several to-dos before my vacation.
- Cleaning the garage is my biggest to-do today.
- She keeps a daily to-do list.
The term comes from the phrase “to do,” meaning something that needs action.
Is “To Dos” Correct?
The form “to dos” can be understood, but many style guides prefer “to-dos” because the hyphen makes it clearer that the phrase functions as a single noun.
Examples:
✅ I finished all my to-dos for work.
✅ My morning to-dos include exercise and checking emails.
The hyphen helps readers recognize that to-do is being used as a noun.
Is “To Do’s” Correct?
Usually, no.
Many people add an apostrophe because they think unusual words need one before s. However, apostrophes are not used to make regular plurals.
Incorrect:
❌ I completed my daily to do’s.
Better:
✅ I completed my daily to-dos.
Why Do People Write “To Do’s”?
The confusion comes from older writing habits. Some writers use apostrophes with words that feel unusual, especially when a phrase becomes a noun.
Similar mistakes include:
❌ CD’s
❌ FAQ’s
❌ 1990’s
Modern style generally prefers:
✅ CDs
✅ FAQs
✅ 1990s
The same idea applies to to-dos.
To-Do vs To Do: What Is the Difference?
The difference depends on how the phrase is used.
“To do” as a verb phrase
When to do means an action, keep it as two words.
Examples:
- I have something to do today.
- She needs work to do.
- What is there to do this weekend?
“To-do” as a noun
When you mean a specific task or item on a list, use to-do.
Examples:
- Paying the bill is my main to-do.
- Add this task to your to-do list.
To-Do List or Todo List?
The standard spelling in American English is:
✅ to-do list
A to-do list is a written or digital list of tasks you want to complete.
Examples:
- I made a to-do list for tomorrow.
- My to-do list has ten items.
Todo list appears in some software, apps, and informal contexts, but to-do list remains the standard English spelling.
Examples of Correct Usage
Singular
- My biggest to-do today is finishing this report.
- I added one more to-do before leaving.
Plural
- My weekend to-dos include shopping and cleaning.
- She completed all her to-dos before noon.
- The team reviewed their project to-dos.
Common Mistake: Adding an Apostrophe for Plurals
A common grammar mistake is using apostrophes before s when making words plural.
Incorrect:
❌ My work to do’s are finished.
Correct:
✅ My work to-dos are finished.
Remember:
- Apostrophe + s = possession or contraction
- Just s = plural (usually)
Related TermsTo Dos or To Do’s
Task
A general word for something that needs to be completed.
Example:
- I have several tasks today.
Assignment
A specific job or responsibility given by someone else.
Example:
- The teacher gave us an assignment.
Checklist
A list of items that can be marked as completed.
Example:
- I created a travel checklist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “to do’s” grammatically correct?
No. When you mean multiple tasks, to-do’s or to do’s is generally considered incorrect. The preferred spelling is to-dos.
Should “to-do” have a hyphen?
Yes, when it works as a noun or adjective.
Examples:
- a to-do list
- my daily to-dos
Is “todo” one word?
“Todo” is sometimes used in software names or informal writing, but standard English usually uses to-do.
What is the plural of “to-do”?
The standard plural is to-dos.
Is “to do’s” ever acceptable?
It may appear in informal writing, but most modern style recommendations avoid it because the apostrophe does not serve a grammatical purpose.
Conclusion
When talking about tasks or items you need to complete, use “to-dos” instead of “to do’s.” The hyphen helps show that to-do functions as a noun, while the apostrophe is unnecessary.
Remember:
✅ One task: a to-do
✅ Multiple tasks: to-dos
❌ Avoid: to do’s
To-dos is the clearest and most widely accepted spelling in modern American English
