Roofs or Rooves

Confusing Plural Forms - Exercise and Quiz

This exercise helps to practice confusing plural spellings.

The Plural of Roof: "Roofs" or "Rooves"?

In modern English, the correct plural form of "roof" is "roofs."

For example:

➡️ One house has a roof.

➡️ Two houses have roofs.

The word "rooves" was used in the past, but it is now considered outdated and incorrect in most forms of English.

Why "Roofs" and Not "Rooves"?

In English, many words that end in "f" or "fe" change to "ves" in the plural. For example:

➡️ "Wife" becomes "wives."

➡️ "Leaf" becomes "leaves."

➡️ "Wolf" becomes "wolves."

However, "roof" is an exception to this rule. The standard plural is "roofs," not "rooves." This is because language changes over time, and English speakers gradually favored "roofs" over "rooves."

The term "roofs" is the plural of "roof" across all English dialects. "Rooves" is an older alternative form that still comes up now and then, influenced by other irregular plurals like "hooves," but it is not widely accepted as standard. 

Here are some additional words to watch for; you might live long enough to witness them transform into their (s) forms as well.

Singular - Plural

calf - calves
elf - elves
half - halves
hoof - hooves
knife - knives
leaf - leaves
life - lives
loaf - loaves
shelf - shelves
thief - thieves
wife - wives
wolf - wolves

While the traditional guideline for most words that end in "f" remains in effect, there is a growing trend in informal conversation and writing where words such as "calfs," "elfs," and "loafs" are becoming increasingly common. 

This suggests that more such changes may occur in the future, leading to an evolution of the old rule so that words ending in "f" simply form their plurals by adding "s," similar to the majority of words that end with a consonant.

Common Errors and How to Avoid Them

❌ Error: "The house had three rooves."

✔️ Correct: "The house had three roofs."

To avoid this error, remember that "roof" is an exception to the "f" to "ves" rule.

Everyday Use

When talking about buildings, houses, or shelters, use "roofs" as the plural:

➡️ "The roofs of the buildings were damaged in the storm."

➡️ "They painted the roofs of their homes red."

Spelling can let you down sometimes. There is nothing wrong with confusing Atleast vs At Least and having difficulties remembering whether it is Entrepreneur or Enterpreneur. Here you can test your English and find out your level and areas for improvement. 

FAQ

Is "rooves" ever correct?
"Rooves" was used in the past, but "roofs" is now the accepted plural form in modern English.

Why don’t we say "rooves" like we say "leaves" for "leaf"?
"Roofs" is an exception to the general rule. Language evolves, and "roofs" became the standard over time.

Are there other words with unusual plurals like "roof"?
Yes, some examples are "belief" (beliefs), "chief" (chiefs), and "cliff" (cliffs).

Do British and American English both use "roofs"?
Yes, both British and American English use "roofs" as the plural form.

Can I use "rooves" in informal writing?
It’s best to stick with "roofs" to avoid confusion, even in informal writing. "Rooves" is rarely used today.