Correct spelling

calves

Correct spelling, explanation: the word calves has an interesting etymology that traces its origins to Old English and Germanic languages. The noun calf in Old English was cealf, and it referred to the young of domesticated cattle (cows, bulls, or oxen). Old English is the earliest form of the English language, used from roughly the 5th century to the 11th century. Remember that the only correct plural form of the noun calf is calves, not calfs.

Definition of calves:
1. noun (plural), more than one young cow, or the young of various other large mammals such as elephants and whales
The farmer’s calves grazed peacefully in the green pasture, enjoying the warm sunlight.
Each spring, the ranch celebrates the birth of new calves, a sign of growth and renewal in the herd.
2. noun (plural), the fleshy parts at the back of a person’s legs below the knees
After a rigorous hike in the mountains, her calves were sore and in need of some gentle stretching.
He admired the definition in his calves, the result of months of dedicated strength training and running.

Collocations with calves:
Some most commonly used collocations include:
1. Calves’ cramps: describes sudden, painful muscle contractions in the calf muscles, often caused by dehydration or overexertion.
I had to stop running due to severe calves’ cramps.
2. Calves’ pain: refers to discomfort or soreness in the calf muscles, which can result from various factors like exercise or injury.
She experienced calves’ pain after her intense workout.
3. Calves’ exercises: activities or movements designed to strengthen and tone the calf muscles.
Calves’ exercises can help prevent injuries and improve athletic performance.
4. Calves’ raise: a specific exercise that targets the calf muscles, involving raising the heels while standing on the toes.
He incorporated calves’ raises into his fitness routine to build calves’ strength.


Incorrect spelling

calfs

Incorrect spelling, explanation: using calfs with an -s to denote the plural of calf is considered a mistake because it deviates from this standard rule, and it would likely be considered non-standard or non-conventional usage in written or formal English. To maintain proper grammar and consistency, it is recommended to use calves as the plural form of calf when referring to young bovines or human body parts. The formation of plurals in this way is a well-established rule in English, and it applies to many other nouns ending in -f as well, such as leaf to leaves, thief to thieves, and shelf to shelves.