60,000+ students trusted us with their dreams. Take the first step today!
One app for all your study abroad needs
Answer: The plural form of “wife” is “wives.”
In English, some nouns change their spelling when going from singular to plural, and “wife” is one such example. It doesn’t simply add an “s” at the end, like “book” becomes “books.” Instead, the spelling changes: the “f” is replaced with “v” and “es” is added.
Why Does “Wife” Become “Wives”?
This change happens because “wife” ends in –fe, and in many such words, the –fe is dropped and replaced with –ves in the plural form. This rule helps with pronunciation and follows a historical pattern in English spelling.
Other Words That Follow the Same Rule
Here are some other common nouns that follow the “f/fe to ves” plural rule:
| Singular | Plural |
| Wife | Wives |
| Life | Lives |
| Knife | Knives |
| Leaf | Leaves |
However, not all nouns ending in “f” or “fe” follow this rule. Some simply add an “s,” such as:
- Roof → Roofs
- Chief → Chiefs
- Cliff → Cliffs
So it’s important to learn which words are exceptions.
Quick Grammar Tip
If you’re ever unsure, try checking a dictionary or using the word in a sentence to see if it sounds right. Example:
✅ Correct: The soldiers found letters from their wives.
❌ Incorrect: The soldiers found letters from their wifes.
The correct form “wives” not only follows the rule but also sounds natural in English.
Summary
📚 Singular noun: Wife
📝 Plural form: Wives
🧠 Rule used: Drop “fe” and add “ves”
🚫 Common mistake: Avoid using “wifes”—it’s incorrect.
Learning irregular plurals like this helps improve both your grammar and writing skills. Keep practicing and make a note of exceptions—they’re part of what makes English interesting!
Common Doubts in English
