|
ESL Forum:
Techniques and methods
in Language Teaching
Games, activities
and teaching ideas
Grammar and
Linguistics
Teaching material
Concerning
worksheets
Concerning
powerpoints
Concerning online
exercises
Make suggestions,
report errors
Ask for help
Message board
|
ESL forum >
Ask for help > help
help
|
teachertalitagraca
|
help
|
|
Hello What �s the plural of dwarf? dwarf or dwarves? thanks |
31 May 2015
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gi2gi
|
|
dwarfs and dwarves seem to be Ok, though I have only heard about (the seven) dwarfs.
|
31 May 2015
|
|
|
yanogator
|
|
Yes, both "dwarfs" and "dwarves" are OK, but "dwarves" is preferred. Bruce
�
|
31 May 2015
|
|
|
cunliffe
|
|
Apparently, Tolkien loved the word �dwarves � as opposed to �dwarfs �. It does sound more powerful to my native ears. Over here (England) , we are losing the -ves ending. |
1 Jun 2015
|
|
|
yanogator
|
|
In the US, I think the only common "f" that doesn �t change to "-ves" is "roof". There is "strife", but that isn �t usually used countably. Bruce |
1 Jun 2015
|
|
|
ep89za
|
|
I have heard that although "dwarfs" is the original plural, Tolkien chose to change it to "dawrves" in his books (Hobbit, LOTR and the lot) so that his creatures differentiate from the other dwarfs. Can �t really tell weather it �s true or not, though. Zoi |
9 Jun 2015
|
|
|
yanogator
|
|
I misspoke when I said that "roof" is the only common "f" word that keeps the f. It seems that a double vowel before the f causes the f to stay (sometimes) roofs reefs proofs hooves or hoofs beliefs (but thieves) chiefs Bruce |
9 Jun 2015
|
|
|
