Plurals of Words Ending in -f and -fe

When -f turns into -v

Some words that end in -f or -fe do something special when there is more than one. The f changes into a v and we add -es (or -s).

• one leaf 🍂 → many leaves 🍂🍂🍂
• one knife 🔪 → two knives 🔪🔪
• one wolf 🐺 → two wolves 🐺🐺

Say "leafs"... then "leaves". The second one sounds much better!

Words that change to -ves

Here are common words that follow this rule. The f becomes a v.

• loaf 🍞 → loaves
• half 🍰 → halves
• shelf 📚 → shelves
• scarf 🧣 → scarves
• thief 🦹 → thieves

A word list to read

One	Many
leaf 🍂	leaves
knife 🔪	knives
wolf 🐺	wolves
loaf 🍞	loaves
shelf 📚	shelves

Some words just add -s

A few -f words do not change. They simply add -s.

• roof 🏠 → roofs
• chef 👨‍🍳 → chefs
• cliff ⛰️ → cliffs

These are special, so learn them by heart!

How to make the plural

1. Does the word end in -f or -fe?
2. Change the f to a v and add -es or -s: leaf → leaves, knife → knives.
3. Remember the few that just add -s: roof → roofs.

Well done!

Now you can read and spell tricky plurals like leaves and knives. Look for the f that turns into a v!

Next, try Plurals: Adding -s and -es and Changing Y to I.