Shelf or Shelve – What’s the Difference? - Writing Explained Misusing shelve for shelf is probably a backformation from the plural shelves Since many nouns become plural by adding the suffix -s , some speakers might mistakenly think shelve is the same way The confusion could also arise from the word shelves , which can be both a noun and the third person singular conjugation of the verb shelve
‘Shelve’ or ‘Shelf’: What’s the Difference Between the Two? The words ‘shelve’ and ‘shelf’ often confuse learners because they sound similar but have different meanings and uses ‘Shelf’ is a noun that refers to a flat, horizontal surface or board used for holding items, mostly found in cabinets, rooms, or on walls For example, you might put books on a shelf On the other hand, ‘shelve’ is a verb meaning to place something on a shelf or