How to’s vs. How tos – Which is Correct?
The correct plural form to refer to multiple guides or instructions is how tos. The spelling “how to’s” is grammatically incorrect because the apostrophe is misused; apostrophes indicate possession or a contraction, not simple pluralization.
How to’s or How tos – Which is Correct?
When you want to refer to several instructional guides or pieces of advice, the correct term is “how tos.” The common mistake “how to’s” arises from a misunderstanding of apostrophe usage. Apostrophes are used for contractions (like “it’s” for “it is”) or to show possession (like “the dog’s bone”). They are not generally used to form the plural of a noun, especially not a phrase acting as a noun.
The phrase “how to” itself acts as a descriptor or part of a question. When it becomes a noun referring to an instructional item—like “a how-to guide”—it often takes a hyphen: “how-to.” The plural of this noun is formed by simply adding an ‘s’ to the end, resulting in “how-tos.” Even when the hyphen is omitted for stylistic or informal reasons, the plural remains “how tos,” without an apostrophe.
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
To easily remember the difference, apply the “Possession/Contraction Test.” Ask yourself: Does this word need to show possession, or is it a contraction of two words? If the answer is no, then an apostrophe is almost certainly incorrect for pluralization. Since “how tos” simply means “multiple how-to guides,” it shows neither possession nor contraction, so no apostrophe is needed.
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| how tos | Plural Noun | Instructional guides, tutorials, or methods | The website offers many useful how tos for home repairs. |
| how to’s | Incorrect | Grammatically incorrect spelling for the plural of “how-to” | Incorrect: “I read all the how to’s.” |
How to Use how tos
“How tos” is used as a plural noun to refer to a collection of instructions, guides, or tutorials. It is derived from the phrase “how to [do something]” and is commonly used in informal contexts or as a simplified form of “how-to guides” or “how-to articles.” While the hyphenated “how-to” is often preferred when used as a noun or adjective (e.g., “a how-to manual”), “how tos” correctly forms the plural of this concept.
Example 1: The new software came with a series of helpful how tos to get users started.
Example 2: She spent the afternoon browsing YouTube for cooking how tos.
Example 3: Our blog features weekly how tos on various digital marketing strategies.
What are the different forms of how tos?
“How tos” is already the plural form of the noun. The singular noun form is typically “how-to” (often hyphenated) or, less commonly, “how to” when referring to a single instructional guide or method. It does not have verb tenses or degrees of comparison.
Etymology of the word how tos
The term “how to” originates from the common interrogative phrase “how to [do something],” which asks for the method or procedure for an action. Over time, this phrase became condensed and nominalized to refer to the instructions themselves. The hyphenated “how-to” emerged as a noun or adjective in the early 20th century (e.g., a “how-to book”). “How tos” is simply the modern pluralization of this nominalized phrase, indicating multiple such guides.
Related Concepts
Understanding a few core grammatical concepts can help clarify why “how tos” is correct and “how to’s” is not, and how to correctly pluralize similar terms.
- Apostrophes for Possession and Contraction: Apostrophes serve two primary functions in English: to show possession (e.g., “the cat’s toy”) or to indicate a contraction (e.g., “you’re” for “you are”). They are not used to make regular nouns plural.
- Pluralization of Nouns: Most English nouns form their plural by adding -s or -es (e.g., “book” to “books,” “box” to “boxes”). For compound nouns or phrases acting as nouns, the plural is typically formed at the end of the entire unit (e.g., “drive-by” to “drive-bys”).
- Nominalization: This is the process of turning a verb, adjective, or phrase into a noun. “How to” is a phrase that has been nominalized to “a how-to” (a guide), which then takes a plural form.
Examples from Media and Literature
- “The website’s knowledge base contained hundreds of useful how tos for troubleshooting common software issues.”
- “Instead of buying new furniture, they followed a few online how tos to build their own.”
- “For aspiring artists, there are countless books and videos offering painting how tos.”
- “The magazine section was filled with DIY how tos, from gardening tips to simple craft projects.”
- “He preferred practical advice, always looking for straightforward how tos rather than theoretical discussions.”
how tos Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| Guides | Books or manuals providing information or instructions. |
| Tutorials | Sets of instructions on how to use a particular software, perform a task, or learn a skill. |
| Instructions | Detailed information telling how to do or use something. |
| Manuals | Books of instructions, especially for operating a machine or learning a subject. |
| Walkthroughs | Detailed step-by-step guides, often used for video games or complex processes. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Why is “how to’s” incorrect?
“How to’s” is incorrect because the apostrophe is used improperly to form a plural. Apostrophes are for possession (e.g., “the cat’s pajamas”) or contractions (e.g., “it’s cold”), not for making a noun plural. The correct plural form is “how tos” or “how-tos.”
Question 2: Should “how to” be hyphenated?
When “how to” functions as a noun (meaning a guide or instruction) or as an adjective (e.g., “a how-to guide”), it is generally recommended to hyphenate it: “how-to.” When used as a simple phrase within a sentence, no hyphen is needed (e.g., “He explained how to fix it”). The plural of the noun form is “how-tos.”
Question 3: Can “how to” be used as a noun?
Yes, the phrase “how to” can be nominalized and used as a noun, typically as “a how-to” (referring to an instructional guide or tutorial). Its plural form is “how tos” or, more formally, “how-tos.”
Conclusion
In summary, when referring to multiple instructional guides or tutorials, the grammatically correct spelling is how tos. The form “how to’s” is an apostrophe error and should be avoided in all writing. Remembering that apostrophes are for possession or contractions, not simple plurals, is the key to mastering this distinction. Using the correct terminology enhances clarity and maintains a professional tone in your communication.
