the roofs

USAGE SUMMARY

'the roofs' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the plural form of 'roof' when there is more than one roof in a given situation. For example: I was amazed by the skyline of the city, punctuated by the roofs of the skyscrapers.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Was it the roofs?

The New Yorker

The roofs, slate.

The New Yorker

The curlicue tusks sprouting from the roofs?

The New York Times

We're also redoing all the roofs.

The New York Times

The roofs of the towers were collapsed.

The New York Times

Some time after the roofs fall in.

The New Yorker

"There are still snipers on the roofs.

The New York Times

They were on the roofs.

The Guardian

So where are the roofs?

The New York Times

All the roofs are connected.

The New York Times

The Roofs' is named Babe Roof.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to multiple buildings or structures, use "the roofs" to accurately describe the plural form of the architectural feature. For example, solar panels are often installed on "the roofs" of houses to generate electricity.

Common error

Avoid using the singular form 'the roof' when referring to multiple structures. Using 'the roof' implies you are speaking about the roof of one specific structure, while "the roofs" acknowledges that multiple buildings are being discussed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the roofs" functions primarily as a plural noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig examples indicate that it refers to the top coverings of buildings or structures. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and usability of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the roofs" is a grammatically correct and very common plural noun phrase used to refer to the coverings of multiple buildings or structures. As Ludwig AI states, it is correct and usable in written English. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media contexts, but also sees use in science, wikis, and other general-purpose writing. When using this phrase, ensure you are referring to multiple structures and not just one. If you intend to mention the interior of a roof, use instead "the ceilings". Remember not to confuse this expression with other related terms, such as "the rooftops", which emphasizes the exterior surface, or more general terms such as "the cover".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the rooftops

Replaces "roofs" with "rooftops", emphasizing the external surface.

the building tops

Substitutes "roofs" with a more descriptive term, focusing on the highest point of buildings.

the top surfaces

Emphasizes the uppermost layer or exterior of a structure.

the covers

Uses a broader term that refers to the covering of a structure, not exclusively a building.

the shelter tops

Replaces "building" with a generic term that includes other built environments, like bus stops.

the upper layers

Focuses on the uppermost parts of structures.

the protective coverings

Highlights a key function instead of focusing on the structure.

the ceilings

Changes the perspective to the interior, referring to the underside of the roof.

the weather shields

Highlights the protective function of roofs against the elements.

the canopies

Refers to projecting coverings that might not necessarily be roofs in the traditional sense.

FAQs

How do I use "the roofs" in a sentence?

You can use "the roofs" when referring to multiple roofs. For example: "After the storm, we inspected "the roofs" of all the buildings for damage."

Is it correct to say "the roofs" or should I always say "the roof"?

It depends on the context. Use "the roof" when referring to a single building's roof, and "the roofs" when referring to multiple buildings.

What's the difference between "the roofs" and "the rooftops"?

"The roofs" generally refers to the covering of a building. "The rooftops" "the rooftops" specifically emphasizes the external surface of the roof, often used when describing activities or objects on top of the roof.

Can I use "the roofs" to describe the inside of a building?

No, "the roofs" refers to the exterior covering. If you are describing the inside, you would refer to "the ceilings" instead.