Selfs vs. Selves – Which is Correct?
When choosing between “selfs” and “selves,” use “selves.” “Selves” is the standard plural of “self,” as in “Our past selves shaped who we are.” “Selfs” is considered a misspelling in standard English, although it may appear rarely in specialized or informal writing. Choose “selves” for clarity in nearly every context.
Selfs or Selves – Which is Correct?
Selves is the correct standard-English plural of self. The word selfs is generally a misspelling caused by treating self like a regular noun that forms its plural by adding -s. Because self has an irregular plural, its final letter changes from f to v: self becomes selves.
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
Use the “half” test: half becomes halves, and self becomes selves. Both words change their ending from f to ves in the plural. If you are talking about more than one person’s identity, personality, or individual nature, choose selves.
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| selfs | Incorrect plural in standard English | A nonstandard form of selves | Avoid: “The children expressed their selfs.” |
| selves | Plural noun | More than one self or individual identity | “Their professional and personal selves were very different.” |
How to Use Selves
Selves is the plural form of the noun self. It refers to multiple identities, personalities, individual natures, or versions of a person. It is commonly used with possessive determiners such as our, your, their, and themselves in discussions about personal development, identity, behavior, and change.
The word is suitable in casual, academic, literary, and professional writing. It often appears in phrases such as past selves, future selves, true selves, inner selves, and authentic selves.
Example 1: Our younger selves would be surprised by the lives we lead today.
Example 2: The actors used costumes to show the characters’ different selves.
Example 3: The retreat encouraged participants to reconnect with their inner selves.
What are the Different Forms of Selves?
Selves is already the plural form of self. The singular form is self, meaning one person’s identity, character, or individual nature. The plural is irregular because the ending changes from -f to -ves rather than simply adding -s.
| Number | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Singular | self | She discovered her true self. |
| Plural | selves | They discussed their different selves. |
Etymology of the Word Selves
Selves comes from the Old English word self, which referred to one’s own person or identity. Like several other English nouns ending in -f, its plural developed an -ves ending over time. This historical pattern is also seen in words such as half and calf, which become halves and calves.
Related Concepts
Understanding irregular plurals and reflexive pronouns makes the difference between selfs and selves easier to remember.
- Irregular plurals: Irregular nouns do not form their plurals by simply adding -s or -es. Examples include self to selves, knife to knives, and life to lives.
- Reflexive pronouns: Reflexive pronouns refer back to the subject of a sentence. Plural forms include ourselves, yourselves, and themselves.
- Identity and personality: In phrases such as inner selves and future selves, the word describes different aspects or stages of a person’s identity.
Examples from Media and Literature
The correct plural selves appears frequently in writing about identity, transformation, memory, and personal growth.
- Literary criticism: A discussion of a novel may compare a character’s public and private selves.
- Memoirs: Authors often reflect on how their childhood and adult selves differ.
- Psychology articles: Researchers may examine how people understand their past, present, and future selves.
- Film reviews: A review of a story involving disguise or transformation may describe the characters’ changing selves.
- News and commentary: Articles about social media commonly discuss the contrast between people’s online and offline selves.
Selves Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| Identities | The characteristics or qualities that make people distinct individuals |
| Persons | Individual human beings, especially when emphasizing individuality |
| Personalities | The patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behavior that characterize people |
| Characters | The moral or psychological qualities that define individuals |
| Individuals | Separate and distinct people |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is “selfs” ever correct?
In standard English, selfs is not the accepted plural of self. Use selves instead. The nonstandard form may occasionally appear in informal, specialized, or unedited writing.
Question 2: What is the plural of “self”?
The standard plural of self is selves. For example: “Our former selves helped shape who we became.”
Question 3: Why does “self” become “selves”?
Self has an irregular plural. Its final f changes to v, and -es is added, producing selves. This pattern is similar to life and lives.
Conclusion
Selves is the correct plural of self, while selfs is generally a misspelling in standard English. Remember the f-to-ves pattern found in words such as half and halves. Pro Tip: Use selves in professional, academic, and edited writing to maintain accuracy and protect your credibility.
