Which plural spelling rule should you follow to make the elf plural?

/ October 15, 2019/ Usage

What’s the Difference Between Elfs and Elves?

Contents

• 1 What’s the Difference Between Elfs and Elves?
• 2 Using Elfs in a Sentence
• 3 Using Elves in a Sentence
• 4 Remembering Elfs vs. Elves
• 5 Outside Examples
• 6 Quiz: Elfs vs. Elves
• 7 Article Summary

Elfs and elves might look like alternate spellings of the plural word for elf. However, this is not the case. Only one of these spellings is correct in standard American English.

Elfs is an incorrect spelling of the plural form of the noun elf. People who write elfs mean to refer to two or more magical creatures that are similar to fairies.

• Many people in Iceland believe in elfs. (incorrect spelling, use elves instead)

Elves is the correct spelling for the plural form of the noun elf. An elf can refer to a mystical being with magical powers from folklore, modern fantasy, or Santa’s helpers.

• Illustrations usually depict Santa’s elves as short and smiling creatures wearing green. They look very similar to tiny people, with the exception of their pointy ears.

Although it can be difficult to remember to change the f to a ve in the plural form of elf, it is necessary in order to spell the word correctly.

Using Elfs in a Sentence

When to use elfs: Elfs is a common misspelling of the word elves. An elf is a fictional creature that usually looks like a small human with pointy ears. However, different cultures and fictional works depict them in distinct ways. For example, in the popular trilogy Lord of the Rings, elves are as tall, or taller than, humans.

For example,

• I’m writing a story about elfs, dragons, and wizards. (incorrect spelling, use elves instead)
• The Dungeons and Dragons group has a mix of goblins, dwarves, elfs, and humans. (incorrect spelling, use elves instead)

Remember that elf is an irregular noun. Unlike regular nouns, it is not enough to merely add the letter s to the end of the word to make it plural.

Using Elves in a Sentence

When to use elves: Elves is the plural form of the noun elf. These beings often have magical powers, and are usually mysterious and mischievous.

For example,

• The child’s favorite Christmas movie features a red-nosed reindeer and a rebel elf who ran away from the other elves because he wanted to become a dentist.
• Many cultures believe that elves will sometimes steal babies.

Like many other words ending in f in the singular form, you must change the f to a v and add es to make it plural.

Remembering Elfs vs. Elves

The best way to remember to spell the plural form of elf as elves is to think of all the other words ending in f that change to ves in plural form. These include words like knife/knives, shelf/shelves, calf/calves, wolf/wolves, and self/selves.

You can also remember that many people believe elves are thieves. Thieves is another word that follows this spelling rule.

Additionally, you could think of the adjective form of the word, which is elven. If you already are familiar with that spelling, it could help you remember the correct plural spelling.

If all else fails, you could remember that if you include the v in elves, you did very good, since very good starts with v. If you keep the f in elfs, you fail, since fail starts with f.

Outside Examples

• Not having enough elves in Santa’s workshop this year may leave the area under Christmas trees barren for some kids. –Denver Post
• Participants ran and walked in all types of holiday-themed costumes from Santa Claus and reindeer to elves during the fourth annual Run for a Claus at UC Irvine. –OC Register
• The Orlando floats include the “Despicable Me” characters with myriad Minions including a giant Bob balloon, the characters from “Shrek” and the penguins of “Madagascar” along with King Julien. There are also Macy’s iconic elves and the giant nutcracker, while bringing up the rear, of course, is Santa and his LED lightshow sleigh, complete with tickertape and fake snow. –New York Post
• And about 54% of the small island country in the northern Atlantic Ocean believes in the 36-inch-tall mythical creatures, National Geographic reported. According to the Icelandic people, elves have large ears and wear old-fashioned clothing but definitely not pointy hats. –New York Daily News

Quiz: Elfs vs. Elves

Instructions: Fill in the blanks with the correct word, either elfs or elves.

• How many ______________ do you think Santa Claus has up at the North Pole?
• Some people believe that _______________ and dwarves don’t get along.
• Many folktales speak of a close relationship between ______________ and nature.

See answers below.

Article Summary

Should I use elfs or elves? Only one of these spellings is correct.

• Elfs is an incorrect way to spell elves.
• Elves is the only correct way to spell the plural of elf. It refers to a mystical being that doesn’t exist except in stories.

Be careful not to mix up these two spellings.

Answers

• elves
• elves
• elves

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