diff --git a/.vale.ini b/.vale.ini
index da6af903f2..0e3bcdf1d5 100644
--- a/.vale.ini
+++ b/.vale.ini
@@ -8,3 +8,5 @@ Packages = Microsoft
 
 [*.md]
 BasedOnStyles = Vale, Microsoft
+Microsoft.Contractions = suggestion
+Microsoft.Units = suggestion
diff --git a/news/5371.documentation b/news/5371.documentation
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..ca06afb458
--- /dev/null
+++ b/news/5371.documentation
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Reduce the severity level of `Microsoft.Contractions` and `Microsoft.Units` from `error` to `suggestion` when running `make docs-vale` in preparation for requiring Vale passing without errors. @stevepiercy