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Seraphin Posted 18 years ago
Vocabulary
the "f" rule for plurals
the plural for leaf is leaves
the plural for beef is beeves (?)
the plural for deaf is deaf
the plural for motif is motifs
what's the rule ??
the plural for beef is beeves (?)
the plural for deaf is deaf
the plural for motif is motifs
what's the rule ??
Top answer
I'm not aware that beef and deaf have a plural form, actually. Without a good rule to fall back on, use the dictionary. It will list the plural form if it is anything other than just adding an S.
- I'm not aware that beef and deaf have a plural form, actually.
- Without a good rule to fall back on, use the dictionary.
- It will list the plural form if it is anything other than just adding an S.
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6 Answers
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I'm not aware that beef and deaf have a plural form, actually.
Without a good rule to fall back on, use the dictionary. It will list the plural form if it is anything other than just adding an S.
Without a good rule to fall back on, use the dictionary. It will list the plural form if it is anything other than just adding an S.
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My dictionary says that beef is uncountable when you mean the meat. So, there is no plural. However, there are two plural forms for "beef" for other meanings.
1. Beef - an adult cow raised for its meat. The plural is beeves.
2. Beef - (slang) a complaint, an argument or dispute. The plural is beefs.
However, I guess the above usage is rare.
When used as a noun, "the deaf"
1. Beef - an adult cow raised for its meat. The plural is beeves.
2. Beef - (slang) a complaint, an argument or dispute. The plural is beefs.
However, I guess the above usage is rare.
When used as a noun, "the deaf"
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whoa beeves? i've never heard that. 
i don't really think there's a rule of "f"s. just follow your instinct. when in doubt,
i don't really think there's a rule of "f"s. just follow your instinct. when in doubt,
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the rule is there must be a vowel before the "f" in order for the plural to end in -ves. For instance, elf=elves, wolf=wolves, scarf=scarves, staff=staves
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Anonymous... must be a vowel before the "f" in order for the plural to end in -ves. For instance, elf=elves, wolf=wolves, scarf=scarves, staff=stavesThree out of four of your examples do not have a vowel before the "
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My reference (CGEL) has no rule, just a list of
The irregulars: calf, elf, half, knife, leaf, life, loaf, self, sheaf, shelf, thief, wife and wolf. Some - scarf, at least - are obviously missing, though.
Both plural forms (-fs and -ves): dwarf, hoof, scarf, wharf.
Other nouns ending in -f(e) have regular plural -f(e
The irregulars: calf, elf, half, knife, leaf, life, loaf, self, sheaf, shelf, thief, wife and wolf. Some - scarf, at least - are obviously missing, though.
Both plural forms (-fs and -ves): dwarf, hoof, scarf, wharf.
Other nouns ending in -f(e) have regular plural -f(e
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