Difference Wiki

Roofs vs. Rooves

The main difference between roofs and rooves is that the word “roofs” is the correct plural form of roof whereas the “rooves” is an incorrect plural form a spelling error.

Key Differences

Roofs is the most common and known plural of the word roof in all varieties of English, whereas rooves is an old secondary form of the word roof.
The form roof adds the -s suffix to make its plural form on the flip side the word rooves delete the –f and adds –ves.
The plural form roofs are the modern form, on the other hand, the plural form rooves is an old form, but it still appears occasionally by analogy with such other irregular plurals, e.g., hooves.
The roof is considered to be the standard word conversely the word rooves is not common and is not considered standard.
Roofs are the correct plural form of the roof while rooves is a spelling error or an incorrect plural form.
Janet White
Sep 29, 2019

Comparison Chart

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Plural and correct form of the word “roof.”
Plural and incorrect form of the word “roof.”
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Form

Standard
Not standard

History

New word
Old word

Suffix

-s
-ves

Word Credibility

Correct
Incorrect/spelling error
Samantha Walker
Sep 29, 2019

Roofs and Rooves Definitions

Roofs

The exterior surface and its supporting structures on the top of a building.

Rooves

Plural of roof
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Roofs

The upper exterior surface of a dwelling as a symbol of the home itself
Three generations living under one roof.

Roofs

The top covering of something
The roof of a car.

Roofs

The upper surface of an anatomical structure, especially one having a vaulted inner structure
The roof of the mouth.

Roofs

The highest point or limit; the summit or ceiling
A roof on prices is needed to keep our customers happy.

Roofs

To furnish with a roof or cover.

Roofs

Plural of roof
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Roofs

(to install a roof)

Roofs vs. Rooves

Roofs and rooves are the two plural forms of the word roof. The roof is the structure that forms the upper covering of a building or vehicle. The word “Roofs” is the plural of the roof. It is a common plural form in all varieties of English. The word “Rooves” is considered an old secondary form. English pluralization is sometimes complicated.

Different nouns follow different rules of transition from single to a plural form. For instance, The plural form of the word hoof is hooves. But the word spoof adds the -s suffix to make its plural form. In the same way, the word roof makes it plural by these two methods. However, the addition of the suffix –s to the original word ‘roof’ is accepted as a correct plural form of roof.

The word rooves is an old plural form. But it often appears in comparison with the other irregular plural forms such as hooves. The word roof is believed to be a standard word. The word “rooves” is not common and is not considered standard.

Both the plural versions have their precedent in history. But now, only one of this form is considered to be a correct form. The correct and accepted plural form of roof is “roofs”. Rooves is a spelling error or an incorrect plural form.

It is also not wrong to say that “roofs” is a synonym of rooves. The word “roofs” is used in all contexts. Rooves can distract or confuse readers. The example of “roofs” is “They designed the roofs of their new homes with different types of lights and paint.”

What is Roofs?

The word “roofs” is the plural form of the word roof which is believed to be the standard plural form of it. The roof is the structure that forms the upper covering of a building or vehicle. Throughout the roof history, it is a structure that is constructed of various materials like clay, palm leaves, thatch, wood, and many other building materials.

In all varieties of English, the word roofs is the most known plural of the roof. Roofs are of many designs. The archetypical roof is the structure with a peaked that covers an entire building. This peaked structure slopes evenly from a central high point. It is meeting the walls on all its sides. However, all the roofs do not share this design.

Many buildings have a flat structured roof instead of a peaked roof. A flat roof is the most common design of the roof. The roofs today are of many designs. The roofs of modern buildings are designed and engineered in many creative ways. These roofs have a stylish appearance plus they also conserve energy.

Roofs is the correct standard plural of the roof which since the 18th century. The usage of roofs originated in English since 1800. English pluralization is sometimes complicated.

The nouns follow different rules in their transition from single to a plural form. For instance, The plural form of the word hoof is hooves. In the same way, the word roof makes it plural by these two methods. However, the addition of the suffix –s to the original word ‘roof’ is accepted as a correct plural form of roof. Hence, the roof is accepted as the standard plural word. Also, roofs is considered as a synonym of rooves. You can use the word ‘roofs’ in all the contexts.

Examples

  • “They designed the roofs of their new homes with different types of lights and paint.”
  • “The roofs of the buildings were made of wood. It became the reason for the fire to spread instantly between the roofs of the buildings and set the whole town on fire.”

What is Rooves?

The word roof makes its plural by these two methods. i.e, by adding the suffix –s or –ves. Rooves is considered to be an old secondary form. The usage of the word form rooves today is very low as to approximate zero. Bryan Garner estimates the disparity to be 535:1 in his book Garner’s Modern English Usage. Hence this as an extinct form which is no longer used.

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