Table Leafs or Table Leaves? (Plural Form + Examples)

What is the plural form of the words “table leaf?” Is it “table leaves?” Or is it “table leaves?” When referring to a table leaf, it is a block of wood that can help to extend the length of a table. When there is more than one table leaf, what is the correct plural form the phrase takes?

Learn everything you need to know about pluralizing this word form in this short guide.

Why is “table leaf” plural form confusing?”

This phrase is confusing for many people because the word “leaf” often changes based on its plural form. For example, “leaf” will turn into “leaves.” Regardless of the addition of the word “table,” the phrase becomes confusing.

Which is correct, “table leafs,” “table leaves,” or “table leaf?”

The correct form of that this phrase should take when becoming plural is table leaves. While “table leafs” is also correct, “table leaves” is more acceptable. This is due to the fact that it follows the other English grammar rules for the word “leaf.”

The only incorrect form would be “table leaf” where the phrase does not change when referring to it in the plural or possessive form.

Sentence examples using “table leaves”

Here are sentence examples using “table leaves”:

Could you go down into the basement and get the table leaves for dinner?
We need to extend the table for Thanksgiving dinner, can you go down to the basement and get the table leaves?
Do you know where I put the table leaves?

How to use the apostrophe correctly

The possessive singular noun is made by adding an apostrophe and the letter “s” to the singular noun in question, regardless of whether the singular noun ends in an “s” letter.

When a plural noun has an “s” at the end, the possessive form of the noun is created by simply adding an apostrophe. When the noun ends in any other letter, the possessive form is made by adding both an apostrophe and an “s.”

Form	Example
Singular noun	Sarah’s
Plural noun	Women’s
2 or more people	Kim and Adam’s
Singular noun ending in “s”	James’s and James’
Plural noun ending in “s”	Parent’s
2+ people	Kim’s and Adam’s

Apostrophe for Possessives	Apostrophe for Contractions
Amy’s swim class	they + have = they’ve
Karen’s car	are + not = aren’t
Robert’s vehicle	they + will = they’ll

Singular Noun	Plural Noun
My child’s dog	My children’s dog
The man’s work	The men’s work
The mouses’ cage	The mice’s cage
A person’s clothes	People’s clothes

Plural Noun Rule	Example or Exception
To make regular nouns plural, add ‑s to the end.	Cats, Houses
If the singular noun ends in ‑s, -ss, -sh, -ch, -x, or -z, add ‑es to the end to make it plural.	Bus / Busses, Tax / Taxes
In some instances, singular nouns ending in -s or -z, require that you double the -s or -z prior to adding the -es for pluralization.	Gas / Gasses
If the noun ends with ‑f or ‑fe, the f is often changed to ‑ve before adding the -s to form the plural version.	Wife / wives Exceptions: Roof / Roofs Chef / Chefs
If a singular noun ends in ‑y and the letter before the -y is a consonant, change the ending to ‑ies to make the noun plural.	City / Cities
If the singular noun ends in -y and the letter before the -y is a vowel, simply add an -s to make it plural.	Boy / Boys
If the singular noun ends in ‑o, add ‑es to make it plural.	Tomato / Tomatoes Exceptions: Photo / Photos
If the singular noun ends in ‑us, the plural ending is often ‑i.	Cactus / Cacti
If the singular noun ends in ‑is, the plural ending is ‑es.	Ellipsis / Ellipses
If the singular noun ends in ‑on, the plural ending is ‑a.	Criterion / Criteria
Some nouns don’t change when they’re pluralized.	Sheep / Sheep Deer / Deer

Possessive Nouns and Plural Posessive Nouns FAQs

Can an apostrophe and an “s” together represent a contraction?

Yes. Two words put together to make a single word can also do this. For example: ice-cream. Or ice-cream. These can be compound nouns, as well. For example, “coffee table,” “forest fire.”

What is a plural possessive noun that ends in an apostrophe “s”?

An example would be “children’s clothes.” Without an apostrophe “s” and being a possessive noun would be: kids toys, smiths house (referring to the smith family). Each relate to different things but indicate possession.

What are the seven possessive nouns?

Mine, ours, yours, his, hers, its, and theirs.

What are the three rules of possessive nouns?

Rule 1: To form the possessive of a singular or to add an apostrophe and an s.

Rule 2: For a plural noun, add only an apostrophe (‘)

Rule 3: For a possessive noun that does not end in an “s” letter, add an apostrophe and “s” letter. For examples, “mice’s.”

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About the author

Dalia Y.: Dalia is an English Major and linguistics expert with an additional degree in Psychology. Dalia has featured articles on Forbes, Inc, Fast Company, Grammarly, and many more. She covers English, ESL, and all things grammar on GrammarBrain.