Question

The plural of ‘Chief' is ‘Chieves’.
A) True
B) False

Answer 1

Hint: A word that names something, such as a person, place, thing, or idea is referred to as Noun. A plural noun specifies that there is more than one of that noun (while a singular noun shows that there is only one of the noun). For example, there’s one cat (singular), but three cats (plural).

Complete answer:
There are various rules with regard to pluralization depending on what letter a noun ends in.
The plural of most of the nouns is generally formed by adding -s to the singular form.
For example- plural of boy is boys; desk is desks; book is books, etc.

However, the nouns that end with -f form their plural either by changing -f into ve and adding -s or by directly adding -s to the singular form.
For example- plural of wolf is wolves; wife is wives, but the plural of chief is chiefs; cliff is cliffs, etc.

The plural form of chief is always chiefs. Unfortunately, there is no way by which we can find out which nouns ending f or fe follow which rules. You have to remember. (For example, you must remember that thief becomes thieves but chief becomes chiefs.)

Thus, the correct answer is Option B. False because the plural form of chief is chiefs not Chieves.


Note:
- The rule to form plurals of nouns that ends in f or fe is not straightforward.
- Most nouns drop the f or fe and add a ves. For example- Knife becomes knives; Leaf becomes leaves
- Some just add s. For example- Safe becomes safes; Cliff becomes cliffs
- While with some words, both the versions are acceptable. For example- Scarf becomes scarfs or scarves; Dwarf becomes dwarfs or dwarves