how to spell: -f to -ves spelling rule

Another spelling video from howtospell.co.uk The -f or -fe to -ves plural and verb spelling rule.

knife-knives, half-halves, roof-roofs, cliff-cliffs, chief-chiefs

Why do we change some of these words that end in f or fe to ves and some we just add s?

The -f to -ves or -s rule is an easy rule but with many exceptions that you need to learn.
The trouble with spelling rules is that there are always exceptions! It's good to know rules and why spelling is the way it is but you need to know the exceptions too.

Let's look at some common words with this rule and the exceptions. As I've said before not many people know spelling rules but they know if a word looks 'strange' or right. And they do this by developing their spelling skills and noticing patterns.

1. Words ending in ff you just add s to make the plural.
cliff - cliffs
toff - toffs
scuff - scuffs
sniff - sniffs (works for verbs too.)

Some words ending in f add s:
(these are the three common ones)
roof - roofs
chief - chiefs
oaf -oafs

Most words ending in f or fe change their plurals to ves:
calf - calves
half - halves
knife - knives
leaf - leaves
loaf - loaves
life - lives
wife - wives
shelf - shelves
thief - thieves
yourself - yourselves
themselves

3. Some words can have both ves or s endings :
scarf - scarfs/scarves
dwarf - dwarfs/dwarves
wharf - wharfs/wharves
handkerchief - handkerchiefs/handkerchieves

Test.

Change these to ves or just add s

1. leaf
2. scarf
3. roof
4. sniff
5. shelf
6. chief


Answers

1. leaf - leaves
2. scarf - scarves or scarfs
3. roof - roofs
4. sniff - sniffs
5. shelf - shelves
6. chief - chiefs

Go to my website and do a spelling test of this rule or find out more about plural spelling rules - howtospell.co.uk