Do not or Don't: Which Is Correct?
Updated · Which One Is Correct editorial team
Quick answer: The correct standard spelling is do not. The form dont is incorrect in English because it lacks the necessary apostrophe. You must use do not or the contraction don't, which includes an apostrophe to show the missing letter o.
The Short Answer
Do not is the correct standard spelling, while dont is always wrong in formal and informal English writing.
People often confuse these forms because they focus on the sound rather than the punctuation. The contraction don't replaces the o in not, so an apostrophe is required to mark the omission.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Form | Status | Use it when |
|---|---|---|
| do not | Correct | You want to emphasize the negation or are writing formally. |
| don't | Correct | You want a casual tone and can use standard contractions. |
| dont | Incorrect | Never use this form; it is a spelling error missing an apostrophe. |
| Do not | Correct | Starting a sentence with a negative imperative or statement. |
Correct Example Sentences
- Do not walk on the freshly painted grass.
- Please do not forget to lock the door behind you.
- I don't think we have enough time for lunch.
- She doesn't like spicy food, so order mild.
- Don't you forget your umbrella today.
- Please do not interrupt the speaker during their presentation.
- We don't have any milk left in the fridge.
- Do not touch the hot stove while it is on.
- They don't know where the keys are hidden.
- You do not need to bring a gift to the party.
Common Mistakes and Fixes
- I dont know the answer to that question.
- I don't know the answer to that question.
- Please dont forget your homework assignment.
- Please don't forget your homework assignment.
- She dont like to play outside in the rain.
- She doesn't like to play outside in the rain.
- We dont have any money left for snacks.
- We don't have any money left for snacks.
- They dont want to come to the meeting today.
- They don't want to come to the meeting today.
- You dont need to worry about the test results.
- You don't need to worry about the test results.
A Quick Test You Can Use
To check your spelling, try replacing the word with the full phrase do not in your sentence. If the sentence still makes perfect sense and sounds natural, you should use either do not or the contracted form don't with an apostrophe. Never use the version without the apostrophe.
Related Word Pairs
- cant vs can't
- Use can't with an apostrophe; cant means a hypocritical tone.
- wont vs won't
- Use won't for will not; wont means a habit or custom.
- its vs it's
- Use it's for it is; use its for possession without an apostrophe.
- your vs you're
- Use you're for you are; use your for possession or association.
- then vs than
- Use than for comparisons; use then for time or sequence.
More Example Sentences
- The museum rules state that visitors do not eat inside the gallery.
- I do not understand why the meeting was cancelled at the last minute.
- They do not have a license to drive that vintage car.
- You do not need to sign up if you are already a member.
- The children do not know how to operate the complex machinery.
- We do not recommend leaving the package unattended on the porch.
- She does not agree with the new policy changes at work.
- He does not like it when people speak loudly in the library.
- The computer does not recognize the external hard drive.
- We do not expect the storm to last until morning.
Quick Practice
Please forget to water the plants while I am away.
do not
She want to attend the concert this weekend.
does not
We have any sugar left for the cake.
do not
He know the combination to the locker.
does not
They seem interested in the proposal.
do not
You need to worry about the deadline yet.
do not
Frequently Asked Questions
Is dont a word in Scrabble?
No, dont is not a valid Scrabble word. You must use the correct spelling do not or the contraction don't with an apostrophe, though Scrabble rules generally prohibit apostrophes.
Why does my spell checker mark dont?
Spell checkers flag dont because it is a common typo for don't. The missing apostrophe changes the word structure, making it unrecognized as a valid English contraction in standard dictionaries.
Can I use do not in casual texts?
Yes, you can use do not in casual texts if you want to add emphasis or clarity. However, most people prefer the shorter contraction don't for quick, informal communication to save time and space.
Is there any dialect where dont is correct?
No, there is no standard dialect of English where dont is correct. While some phonetic transcriptions might omit punctuation, written English always requires the apostrophe in the contraction or the full phrase.
