Thoes vs. Toes: Which is Correct?

• "Thoes" is the incorrect spelling of "toes."
• "Toes" are the digits located at the end of the foot, typically five in number, and they play a crucial role in providing balance and support while walking. Each toe consists of joints, allowing for flexibility and enabling various movements.

Toes (noun)

1. Anatomy:

• Each of the five small, movable digits at the front of the human foot, similar to the fingers on the hand.
• Composed of three phalanges (bones), connected by joints, and topped with a nail.
• Function in balance, stability, propulsion, and grasping objects.

2. Zoology:

• The corresponding digits on the feet of other vertebrates, often with adaptations for specific functions like climbing, swimming, or digging.

3. Figurative:

• A small, protruding element at the end of something, resembling a human toe.
• Can be used humorously or metaphorically.

Examples:

• Anatomy: Her big toe stubbed the furniture, creating a sharp pain.
• Zoology: The lizard used its strong toes to grip the rocky wall.
• Figurative: The boots had scuffed toes from years of wear and tear.
• Metaphorical: She dipped her toes into the cold water, hesitant to fully commit.

Additional notes:

• The five toes are commonly named (from inside to outside): hallux (big toe), second toe, third toe, fourth toe, and minimus (little toe).
• Certain sports and activities, like ballet or yoga, place specific emphasis on toe flexibility and strength.
• Some cultures have traditions or rituals focused on toes, such as foot binding or adornment.

In this graph below, we can see a difference in the frequency of use between "toes" and "thoes." The correct spelling "toes" experienced a sharp increase in use, starting from the 1980s to the 2000s.

How do we pronounce toes?

In American English, "toes" is pronounced towz.

In British English, "toes" is pronounced towz.

Why does the misspelling of toes as thoes occur?

There are several reasons why "toes" might be misspelled as "thoes," and it's actually a fairly common mistake! Here are some possible explanations:

Spell-check Issues:

• While spell-checkers can be helpful, they are not perfect. In some cases, they might not recognize "thoes" as an incorrect spelling because it contains all the correct letters. This can lead to the misspelling persisting unnoticed.

Enlist the help of an AI proofreader to prevent your written work from having any grammatical errors.

Other misspellings of toes

Below are other common misspellings of "toes" other than "thoes."

1. toze
2. toees
3. tose
4. tows
5. toez

Example sentences of the misspelling of toes as thoes

1. The correct spelling is "toes," not "thoes," so please make sure to use the accurate term in your writing.
2. I noticed a small spelling error in your text; it should be "toes" instead of "thoes."
3. Just a quick correction: "thoes" is not the right spelling; the correct form is "toes."
4. In proper English, the term for the digits at the end of the foot is "toes," not "thoes."
5. I wanted to point out that "thoes" appears to be a misspelling; the accurate spelling is "toes."

Example sentences of toes

1. The icy water sent shivers through her body as it lapped at her toes on the edge of the lake.
2. Wiggling her toes in the soft grass, she relished the feeling of the earth beneath her feet.
3. The toddler giggled with delight as he dipped his toes into the foamy waves at the seashore.
4. He carefully painted each toenail a different color, adding a playful touch to his summer-ready toes.
5. The athlete felt the cool breeze on his sweaty toes after an intense run in the open field.

Synonyms for toes

1. Digits

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References:

Definition of TOES

one of the terminal members of the vertebrate foot; the fore end of a foot or hoof; a terminal segment of a limb of an invertebrate… See the full definition

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