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plural of 'roof'

  • 25-10-2007 2:19pm
    #1
    flogen
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 10,247 Mod ✭✭✭✭


    I'm trying to figure this one out but can't get a definitive answer on it.

    What is the plural of 'roof'? Is it 'roofs' or 'rooves'?

    While words ending in 'f', like elf and wolf are usually turned into 'ves' for their plural, it doesn't seem to be the case for 'roof', but should it?

    Are both acceptable? And if it is 'roofs' then why does the f-ves rule not apply here?

    To me 'Roofs' doesn't sound right, but 'Rooves' doesn't look right (and my spell checker tells me it's wrong too!).

    Perhaps it's spelt 'roofs' but pronounced 'Rooves'??


Comments

  • #2
    abelard
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,837 ✭✭✭abelard


    Roofs is the correct way, I'm pretty sure.

    It's an exception to the f -> ves rule. There are a couple of others, though 'chiefs' is the only other one I can think of.


  • #3
    Thomas_S_Hunterson
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,151 ✭✭✭Thomas_S_Hunterson


    apparently it's roofs


  • #4
    coady
    Closed Accounts Posts: 158 ✭✭coady


    http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/roof


  • #5
    Lawless_Samurai
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 451 ✭✭Lawless_Samurai


    Studying architecture and as far as I know its roofs. Spelt and pronouced like that.

    Roof doesn't apply because just like "i before e except after c" rule there is always at least one exception


  • #6
    Tar.Aldarion
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 60,110 Mod ✭✭✭✭Tar.Aldarion


    Roofs, I'm surprised there was any question.


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  • #7
    flogen
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 10,247 Mod ✭✭✭✭flogen


    Thanks all for the replies...
    Tar.Aldarion wrote: »
    Roofs, I'm surprised there was any question.

    As I said - Roofs just didn't sound right to me and didn't follow the trend so I thought I'd ask.

    I'm surprised you're so surprised at such a question on such a forum.


  • #8
    Tar.Aldarion
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 60,110 Mod ✭✭✭✭Tar.Aldarion


    I was just surprised because it is a common word that is pronounced the way it is spelled. The other words mentioned are pronouced so that is clear that there is a v in them. Although some people do pronounce it wrong and say 'rooves' so that could be where the confusion would be for people.


  • #9
    deman
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,672 ✭✭✭deman


    One of the wonders of the English language, it doesn't always follow the rules.:)

    Roofs.


  • #10
    Jigsaw
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,509 ✭✭✭Jigsaw


    Poofs / Pooves

    Anyone?


  • #11
    FlutterinBantam
    Closed Accounts Posts: 14,575 ✭✭✭✭FlutterinBantam


    Law 6917 comes into play here= Pervs


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