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Plural of Safe
The Quick Answer
The plural of safe is safes.The Plural of Safe
The plural of safe is safes.- Some safes contain hardware that automatically dispense cash.
- Jewellers often keep their gems in the safes during weekends and holidays.
Are You Good at Plurals?
Here's a quick test.The Standard Rules for Forming the Plurals
The table below shows the standard rules for forming the plurals of nouns in English.Type | Example of Type | Forming the Plural | Plural |
---|---|---|---|
Most Nouns | ![]() ![]() |
add s | ![]() ![]() |
Noun Ending s, sh, ch, x or z | ![]() ![]() |
add es | ![]() ![]() |
Nouns ending [consonant] o | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
add either s or es (There are no rules for this - you have to know.) |
![]() ![]() ![]() |
Nouns ending [vowel] o | ![]() ![]() |
add s | ![]() ![]() |
Nouns ending [consonant] y | ![]() ![]() |
change the y to an i and add es | ![]() ![]() |
Nouns ending [vowel] y | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
add s | ![]() ![]() |
Nouns ending f or fe | ![]() ![]() |
ves and/or s (There are no rules - you have to know.) |
![]() ![]() |
Exceptions | ![]() ![]() |
some nouns undergo a vowel or letters change | ![]() ![]() |
More exceptions | ![]() ![]() |
some nouns do not change at all | ![]() ![]() |
Why Is There Confusion over the Plural of Safe?
There is confusion because the rule for forming the plurals of nouns ending fe or f isn't straightforward. Most nouns will drop the fe or f and gain a ves. For example:- Knife becomes knives.
- Leaf becomes leaves.
- Roof becomes roofs.
- Chief becomes chiefs.
- Scarf becomes scarfs or scarves.
- Dwarf becomes dwarfs or dwarves.
Of note, the verb to save (which means to keep safe or to rescue) becomes saves in the third person present tense. (For example: He saves injured owls.)
Another Interactive Exercise
Here are three randomly selected questions from another exercise on plurals, which can be edited, printed to create an exercise worksheet, or sent via email to friends or students.- Do you disagree with something on this page?
- Did you spot a typo?