Plural nouns are fundamental in English grammar. Knowing how to form and use plural forms accurately helps learners communicate clearly, avoid misunderstandings, and write more confidently. While many plurals follow straightforward rules, certain nouns—like “bus”—can cause confusion because of their endings and variant forms.
The plural of “bus” is a common stumbling block. Is it “buses” or “busses”? Why does it end with -es instead of just -s? This comprehensive guide will answer those questions by breaking down the rules, exceptions, pronunciation, and usage of the plural of “bus.”
This article is designed for English learners at all levels, ESL/EFL students, teachers, editors, and writers. It will walk you step by step through the pluralization process, provide extensive examples and tables, explain exceptions, and offer practice exercises. By the end, you will confidently use the plural of “bus” correctly in both speech and writing, avoiding common mistakes.
Table of Contents
- 3. Definition Section
- 4. Structural Breakdown
- 5. Types or Categories
- 6. Examples Section
- 7. Usage Rules
- 8. Common Mistakes
- 9. Practice Exercises
- 10. Advanced Topics
- 11. FAQ Section
- 12. Conclusion
3. Definition Section
3.1. What Is the Plural of ‘Bus’?
The plural form of the noun “bus” is primarily “buses.” This is the standard, most widely accepted plural in both American and British English. An alternative, less common plural is “busses.”
“Buses” is preferred in modern usage, especially in formal and academic contexts. The plural “busses” is still found occasionally, but it can cause confusion because it is also the plural of the verb to buss (meaning to kiss).
3.2. Grammatical Classification
“Bus” is a countable, concrete, common noun. It refers to a tangible object—a vehicle—that you can count:
- One bus
- Two buses
It functions as a subject, object, or complement in sentences:
- The bus is late. (subject)
- We took the bus. (object)
- That vehicle is a bus. (complement)
3.3. Function of the Plural Form
The plural form “buses” indicates more than one bus. It is used to:
- Describe quantities: “Five buses are waiting.”
- Make generalizations: “Buses are an important part of public transport.”
- Fit various grammatical constructions such as questions, negations, and complex clauses.
3.4. Usage Contexts
You will encounter the plural of “bus” in many contexts, including:
- Everyday conversation: “How many buses come here?”
- Written English, formal or informal: essays, articles, reports
- Transportation and travel vocabulary: maps, schedules, guides
- News reports, signage, and instructions: “Buses will be rerouted due to construction.”
4. Structural Breakdown
4.1. Basic Rule of Forming Plurals
Most English nouns form plurals by adding -s:
- book → books
- car → cars
However, nouns ending in certain sounds or letters require different suffixes:
- -s (regular): dog → dogs
- -es: after -s, -ss, -sh, -ch, -x, -z
- Irregular forms: child → children, man → men
4.2. Why ‘Bus’ Takes ‘-es’ Instead of Just ‘-s’
Nouns ending with a sibilant sound—/s/, /z/, /ʃ/, /tʃ/, /ks/—add -es to form the plural. This makes the word easier to pronounce by adding an extra syllable instead of a difficult consonant cluster.
Because “bus” ends with the /s/ sound, we add -es to get “buses.”
4.3. Steps for Forming the Plural of ‘Bus’
- Identify the noun ending: The word ends with -s.
- Add -es: bus + es = buses.
- Pronounce: Add an extra syllable, pronounced /ɪz/: /ˈbʌsɪz/.
4.4. Alternative Plural: ‘Busses’
“Busses” is an older or variant plural form. It appears occasionally in regional dialects or informal writing. However, it is more often used as the third person singular or plural of the verb “to buss” (meaning to kiss), which can cause confusion.
Modern standard English overwhelmingly prefers “buses.”
4.5. Spelling and Pronunciation Table
| Singular | Plural | Pronunciation (Singular) | Pronunciation (Plural) |
|---|---|---|---|
| bus | buses | /bʌs/ | /ˈbʌsɪz/ |
| bus | busses | /bʌs/ | /ˈbʌsɪz/ |
5. Types or Categories
5.1. Standard Plural: “Buses”
This is the most widely accepted and preferred plural form. It is used in both American and British English, in formal and informal contexts alike:
- “All the buses are late.”
- “City buses now have Wi-Fi.”
5.2. Variant Plural: “Busses”
This less common variant may appear in older texts or dialectal speech. It can be mistaken for the plural of the verb to buss (meaning “to kiss”). While acceptable in some informal contexts, it’s better to use “buses” in most cases.
5.3. Plural as Part of Compound Words
When “bus” is part of a compound noun as a modifier, it usually stays singular:
- bus stop (not buses stop)
- bus driver
- bus station
Only pluralize the main noun, not the modifier. For example:
- “bus stops” (multiple stops)
- “bus drivers” (multiple drivers)
- “buses’ schedules” (schedules of multiple buses)
6. Examples Section
6.1. Basic Examples of Plural ‘Buses’ in Sentences
- “Two buses arrived at the station.”
- “All city buses are running late today.”
- “School buses line up in front of the building.”
- “Tour buses park near the museum.”
- “These buses are very comfortable.”
- “Are the buses on time?”
- “Many buses were canceled due to snow.”
- “Electric buses reduce pollution.”
- “Express buses skip several stops.”
- “No buses are available after midnight.”
6.2. Examples with ‘Busses’
- “Three yellow busses were parked outside.” (acceptable but uncommon)
- “The company bought five new busses.” (less preferred spelling)
6.3. Complex Sentences Using Plural Forms
- “Because the buses were delayed, many passengers were late for work.”
- “Both shuttle buses and tour buses were fully booked.”
- “The buses that serve downtown stop every ten minutes.”
- “After the game, the school buses quickly filled with students.”
- “If the buses don’t arrive soon, we’ll have to walk.”
6.4. Examples in Questions and Negations
- “How often do the buses run on weekends?”
- “There aren’t any buses after 11 p.m.”
- “Why were the buses so crowded today?”
- “Do the buses stop here?”
- “Aren’t the buses usually more frequent?”
6.5. Examples with Numbers and Quantifiers
- “Several buses arrived simultaneously.”
- “We need at least five buses for the event.”
- “Only a few buses run after dark.”
- “Many buses have Wi-Fi now.”
- “Hundreds of buses operate daily.”
6.6. Comparison Examples: Correct vs Incorrect
- Correct: “The buses are clean.”
- Incorrect: “The buss are clean.”
- Correct: “Five buses arrived.”
- Incorrect: “Five buss arrived.”
- Correct: “No buses are available.”
- Incorrect: “No busses are available.” (acceptable but less preferred)
6.7. Tables of Examples
Table 2: Singular and Plural Forms in Context
| Singular | Plural | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| bus | buses | The buses are late today. |
| bus | buses | Many buses stop here. |
| bus | buses | We took two buses to get here. |
| bus | buses | Most buses are crowded at rush hour. |
Table 3: Example Sentences with “Buses” at Various Complexity Levels
| Level | Example |
|---|---|
| Simple | Two buses arrived. |
| Moderate | The city’s new buses are electric. |
| Complex | Because the buses were delayed, many commuters were late. |
| Question | Are the buses running today? |
| Negative | There aren’t buses after midnight. |
Table 4: Correct vs Incorrect Plural Forms
| Incorrect | Correct |
|---|---|
| Five buss arrived. | Five buses arrived. |
| The buss are late. | The buses are late. |
| Many busses were stuck in traffic. | Many buses were stuck in traffic. |
| Some buss come every hour. | Some buses come every hour. |
7. Usage Rules
7.1. When to Use ‘Buses’
Always use “buses” as the plural of the vehicle in modern standard English, whether in American or British varieties. This is the preferred spelling in:
- Formal writing (essays, reports, articles)
- Informal writing (emails, notes)
- Speech
7.2. When ‘Busses’ Might Be Acceptable
“Busses” may still appear in:
- Historical texts
- Informal, dialectal, or poetic writing
- As a plural of the verb to buss (“to kiss”)
7.3. Exceptions and Special Cases
- Compound modifiers: “bus station,” “bus driver”—do not pluralize “bus” inside a compound.
- Proper nouns: “Greyhound buses,” not “Greyhound bus.”
- Possessives: “the buses’ routes.”
7.4. Spelling Consistency
Choose one plural form—preferably “buses”—and use it consistently throughout your text, especially in formal or academic writing.
7.5. Pronunciation Tips
- Pronounce the plural with an extra syllable: /ˈbʌsɪz/.
- Don’t drop or slur the /ɪz/ ending.
- Practice slowly: bus-es.
7.6. Regional Variations
Both American and British English overwhelmingly prefer “buses.” The plural “busses” may appear more often in informal American dialects, but it remains rare.
7.7. Summary Table of Usage Rules
| Use Case | Preferred Form | Acceptable Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Plural of the vehicle | buses | busses (informal/rare) |
| Plural of “to kiss” (verb) | N/A | busses |
| Formal writing | buses | |
| Informal speech/text | buses | busses |
8. Common Mistakes
8.1. Misspelling as ‘buss’ for plural
Incorrect: “Five buss arrived.”
Correct: “Five buses arrived.”
8.2. Using ‘busses’ incorrectly in formal writing
Use “buses” in formal contexts to avoid confusion or appearing nonstandard.
8.3. Confusing plural noun with verb forms
Verb: “She busses tables.” (meaning she clears tables)
Noun: “The buses are late.” (plural vehicles)
8.4. Incorrect pronunciation (omitting the extra syllable)
Incorrect: /bʌs/ or /bʌsəz/ (missing the clear /ɪz/ ending)
Correct: /ˈbʌsɪz/
8.5. Mixing plural forms within the same text
Choose “buses” and use it consistently; don’t switch back and forth.
8.6. Incorrect pluralization in compound nouns
Incorrect: “Buses stops”
Correct: “Bus stops”
8.7. Common Mistakes Table with Corrections
| Incorrect | Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| The buss are here. | The buses are here. | Wrong plural spelling |
| We saw five buss. | We saw five buses. | Should add -es |
| He busses to work. (noun intended) | He takes the bus to work. | “Busses” is verb here, not noun |
| Many busses arrived. (formal writing) | Many buses arrived. | Use “buses” in formal contexts |
9. Practice Exercises
9.1. Fill-in-the-Blank Exercises
- Three ___ arrived simultaneously. (Answer: buses)
- There are no ___ after 11 PM. (Answer: buses)
- Several ___ were stuck in traffic. (Answer: buses)
- Hundreds of ___ operate daily. (Answer: buses)
- Five ___ picked up the students. (Answer: buses)
9.2. Pluralization Practice
- bus → buses
- gas → gases
- glass → glasses
- brush → brushes
- box → boxes
- kiss → kisses
9.3. Error Correction
- Many buss were late today. → Many buses were late today.
- The busses is full. → The buses are full.
- No buss came yesterday. → No buses came yesterday.
- Five buss arrived. → Five buses arrived.
9.4. Identification Exercises
- “The buses are crowded.” — Correct
- “The buss are empty.” — Incorrect
- “Three buses broke down.” — Correct
- “Many busses arrived.” — Acceptable but less preferred
- “No buses stop here.” — Correct
9.5. Sentence Construction
- Write a sentence with “buses”: “Many buses pass by our school every hour.”
- Write a question with “buses”: “Are the buses running on holidays?”
9.6. Matching Exercises (Plural Form and Usage)
| Singular | Plural |
|---|---|
| bus | buses |
| box | boxes |
| dish | dishes |
| glass | glasses |
| kiss | kisses |
9.7. Answer Key for All Exercises
Answers are provided immediately after each question above for clarity and quick learning.
10. Advanced Topics
10.1. Etymology of ‘Bus’ and Its Plural
“Bus” is a shortened form of the Latin word omnibus, meaning “for all.” Originally, “omnibus” referred to horse-drawn carriages for public use. The plural “buses” developed as the English abbreviation became common.
10.2. Historical Usage of ‘Busses’
Older texts from the 19th or early 20th centuries sometimes used “busses” as the plural. Over time, “buses” became the dominant, standardized form in dictionaries and style guides.
10.3. Pluralization of Other -s Ending Words
- class → classes
- glass → glasses
- kiss → kisses
- brush → brushes
- box → boxes
- watch → watches
All follow the same pattern: add -es because of their sibilant endings.
10.4. Dialectal and Regional Variations
Some regional dialects in the US may use “busses” informally. However, in both American and British English, “buses” is the standard plural in writing and education.
10.5. Using Plurals in Compound and Possessive Forms
- Compound: “bus stop” → “bus stops” (plural stops, singular modifier)
- Possessive plural: “The buses’ schedules were updated.” (schedules belonging to multiple buses)
- Compound plural possessive: “The city buses’ routes are changing.”
10.6. Plural in Idioms and Collocations
- Usually, idioms use the singular: “miss the bus.”
- Rarely, you might hear “miss the buses” when referring to multiple vehicles: “We missed all the buses.”
- Other collocations: “buses running late,” “crowded buses,” “electric buses.”
11. FAQ Section
1. What is the correct plural of “bus”?
The standard plural is “buses.”
2. Is “busses” an acceptable plural form?
It is a variant form, rarely used today, and can cause confusion. Prefer “buses.”
3. Why does “bus” add -es instead of just -s?
Because it ends with a sibilant /s/ sound, adding -es makes pronunciation easier.
4. Which form is used in American vs. British English?
Both prefer “buses.”
5. Can “busses” be used in formal writing?
It is better to avoid “busses” in formal writing. Use “buses.”
6. How do I pronounce the plural of “bus”?
Like /ˈbʌsɪz/, adding an extra syllable.
7. Is “busses” the plural of “to buss” meaning “to kiss”?
Yes. “Busses” is the plural of the verb to buss.
8. Are there exceptions to the pluralization rule for “bus”?
Not really. Always use “buses.”
9. How is the plural of “bus” used in compound phrases?
Keep “bus” singular inside compounds (e.g., “bus stop”), pluralize the main noun (“stops”).
10. What are common mistakes with the plural of “bus”?
Misspelling as “buss,” using “busses” inconsistently, or confusing with the verb form.
11. What other words follow the same pattern as “bus”?
Class → classes, glass → glasses, kiss → kisses, box → boxes, dish → dishes.
12. How can I practice using “buses” correctly?
Use the exercises above, write your own sentences, and read examples aloud.
12. Conclusion
In summary, the correct plural of “bus” is overwhelmingly “buses.” The variant “busses” is rare and often confusing, especially in formal writing. The pluralization follows the standard rule for words ending with sibilant sounds: add -es and pronounce with an extra syllable.
Remember to use consistent spelling, pay attention to pronunciation, and avoid common mistakes. Practice with the many examples and exercises in this article to reinforce your learning.
Teachers can use this article as a comprehensive classroom resource, while learners can revisit it whenever they feel unsure about plurals or spelling. Keep exploring English plural rules to enhance your grammar mastery and communication skills!