11 Plus Exams Forum

I was writing an email earlier this morning and used the word 'rooves'. The programme threw up an error and said there was no such word and suggested I use the word 'roofs'.

Now, I well remember, many years ago, being taught the plurals of words - specifically roof/rooves, hoof/hooves, chimney/chimnies etc.

I was quite thrown to be told I had spelt it wrong and quickly picked up my dictionary to confirm I had indeed spelt it correctly. It wasn't in there, but I wasn't too worried as it is only a small dictionary and over 20 years old at that.

I then referred to an on-line dictionary. Again, I was told there was no such word.

I was going daft. I started to think perhaps I was beginning to lose my faculties.

One last go I thought. So I Googled the word. Sure enough I got a definition:

The plural of roof is roofs or rooves. "Rooves" is an older form of the word and rarely used these days.

Now, I know I'm a little bit older than some of you but really, I never felt THAT old

So come on, how do you spell yours?

Rooves... an hotel...

THAT old, too!

I would say rooves but would probably write "roofs" as this has come up with my DCs spellings in the past - they have ben taught that both are correct (in fact funnily enough we were talking abou it last night!).

PS I feel old too

I would spell roofs, I would also say a hotel, not an hotel, obviously I am very young

Nooooooo. Not a hotel! How can you!

Oooh, the youth of today - when I was young, grass was something you cut....

No no no it's yoofs

rooves and hooves, but I get error messages on some KS2 sites

I'd say 'rooves' write 'roofs' and- the age giveaeway- write 'an hotel'

Rooves, hooves and definately AN hotel. The latter being a real bugbear of mine.

Now don't get me started on BBC presenters and the current spate of poor spoken English.