Q: Nice! Well, I'm glad we could cover these two words under the one roof. But the V in “rooves” is an upside-down roof – therefore not correct. Well, the V in “hooves” looks just like a hoof. Q: So, how can I remember to use “hooves” but not “rooves”?Ī: Hmmm. Pitched roofs, on the other hand, commonly employ a cavity. Generally, these roofs have a membrane system, which is applied on top of sheets of rigid insulation. “Roof” and “hoof” are certainly both this old. Roofs is the plural of roof in all varieties of English. According to the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources Building Guide, flat or low-sloped roofs often demonstrate better energy efficiency because of differences in insulation. Many came about in the 13th century as words backformed from Old French or Germanic and Norse languages. For example, can you proof my manuscript?Ī: True, although that shortened form of proofreading is quite recent – about 1950.Ī: Well, there is an interesting relationship between “f” and “v” sounds in many English words – consider also belief/believe, relief/relieve etc. Whereas “proves” is a verb, such as in: “this proves how annoying English can be”. Proofs are nouns, such as photographic or printing proofs. Q: What about a word like “proof” – you can have proofs and proves, yeah?Ī: Well, that's a little different. Q: English sure likes to keep us on our toes. Today it's around three times more common than “hoofs”. In this case, BOTH “hoofs” and “hooves” are accepted, and in the past 40 years or so, “hooves” has led the way. Q: Wait, so you're saying that for hoof, “hooves” is not only acceptable, but it's the preferred usage?Ī: That's right. But “hooves” woke up in the 20th century and by about 1970, it overtook “hoofs” in usage, and that's where it has stayed. And just like roof, “hoofs” WAS the dominant one. This is English we're talking about, and no two words are ever the same.Ī: Just like roof, “hoof” also started with two plural forms – “hoofs” and “hooves”. Q: So, I guess the same applies to “hoof” and “hoofs”…?Ī: Not so fast. In fact, while Macquarie Dictionary only lists “roofs” as the plural, they do note two types of pronunciation – one that's a V sound even though you still spell it “roofs”.Ī: The Oxford English Dictionary lists “rooves” as an alternative, yet outdated version of “roofs”. Q: I must admit, it kind of SOUNDS right though.Ī: Well that's very true. And you're right with “roofs” – it is definitely the accepted plural form, without doubt.Ī: It was. But now that I think about hoofs and hooves, I'm a bit confused. Anyway, they said that the plural for “roof” was “rooves” but I said it was “roofs”. Q: Hi AWC, I was arguing with a friend the other day.Ī: That's risky - you don't have too many. This week, we're raising the roofs (or is it rooves?)… It’s a celebration of language, masquerading as a passive-aggressive whinge about words and weirdness. A simple google search will confirm this and I am. This page is a spellcheck for word rooves.
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