roof, roofs

[kohyoongliat]

The plural of 'roof' is 'roofs', while the plural of most verbs ending in 'f' or 'fe' have 'ves' at the end of the word. For example, thief, thieves; knife, knives.
Is there a reason for this or is it just an exception?

Thanks.

[Anglika]

It is an exception.

[Delmobile]

[Disclaimer: I am not a teacher, but am a native speaker and hold an undergraduate degree in English.}

Back to Wikipedia:English plural - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

(scroll down to "almost-regular plurals.")

This seems to be one of those rules based on pronunciation. "Rooves" indeed used to be the plural of roof, but is now considered archaic.

I am sitting here reciting the plural of various voiceless-fricative ending words and find I am perfectly capable of saying calf(s) and wolf(s), so maybe in another hundred years the rest of these V's will disappear. In the meantime, I suppose you are going to have to memorize.

PS: The dwarf/dwarves note is fascinating.

[kohyoongliat]

Thanks, Anglika and Delmobile, for your reply.

[Anglika]

Sorry, Delmobile - "rooves" is not acceptable as a written form. The word "roofs" is often pronounced in this way, but it is an incorrect form in writing. Wikipedia is a snare and sometimes a delusion. Its information must be treated with great reserve.

[Jason72]

Originally Posted by Delmobile

"Rooves" indeed used to be the plural of roof, but is now considered archaic.

I beg to differ. I was never used, as far as I know (at least in the last 80 years).

[Delmobile]

I hope I did not give the impression that "rooves" is ever considered correct now. I am very sorry if I did.

When I say "used to be," I don't mean "when I was a girl." Here is a slightly more authoritative source than a Wikipedia article:
§ 165. roof. 7. Pronunciation Challenges. The American Heritage Book of English Usage. 1996

[Jason72]

Originally Posted by Delmobile

I hope I did not give the impression that "rooves" is ever considered correct now. I am very sorry if I did.

When I say "used to be," I don't mean "when I was a girl." Here is a slightly more authoritative source than a Wikipedia article:
§ 165. roof. 7. Pronunciation Challenges. The American Heritage Book of English Usage. 1996

This is news...