Some of these words change their ending to -ves in the plural, but some end simply in -s. A few allow a choice. Here are some examples:
X. ending -s: beliefs, carafes, chiefs, cliffs, cuffs, handkerchiefs, oafs, proofs, roofs, safes.
X. changing to -ves: calves, elves, halves, knives, leaves, loaves, scarves, shelves, wives, wolves.
X. taking either plural: dwarfs/dwarves, hoofs/hooves, wharves.
Note one life, two lives – but two paintings of bowls of fruit are two still lifes.
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