A shelf is a flat surface used to hold objects, often fixed to a wall or inside a cupboard.
The idea
The plural of shelf is shelves: one shelf, three shelves. Use on the shelf for an object resting on it, and the top shelf for the highest shelf.
Examples
- The books are on the shelf.
- She put the key on the top shelf.
- There are three shelves in this cupboard.
- He cleaned the lower shelf.
- Can you reach the shelf above the table?
- We need another shelf for these books.
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Watch out
The spelling changes from f to ves in shelves; do not write shelfs for the ordinary plural.
Try it yourself
Choose the plural after three. There are three ___ in the cupboard. (shelves / shelfs)
Show answer or example answer
shelves
Shelves is the irregular plural after three.
Choose the preposition for objects resting on the surface. The books are ___ the shelf. (on / from)
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on
On locates the books on the surface.
Choose the word for the highest shelf. The highest shelf is the ___ shelf. (top / bottom)
Show answer or example answer
top
Top identifies the highest shelf.
Practice round
Answer questions and rebuild English sentences to practise. Your score is shown.
Choose the plural after three. There are three ___ in the cupboard. (shelves / shelfs)
Choose the preposition for objects resting on the surface. The books are ___ the shelf. (on / from)
Choose the word for the highest shelf. The highest shelf is the ___ shelf. (top / bottom)
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Describe what is on a shelf and where the shelf is.