The plural form of bison is bison. Unlike most English nouns, bison remains unchanged whether referring to one or multiple animals.
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Why Is The Plural Bison The Same As The Singular?
As we’ve established, bison is an example of an invariant noun. This means it doesn’t change form when it becomes plural. Unlike many other English nouns that add -s or -es to indicate multiple items, bison remains bison.
But why? To fully understand this, let’s look into the history of the English language. Many nouns, especially those referring to animals, were originally invariant.
Over time, language developed, and the standard plural form gained traction. However, some words, like bison, sheep, and deer, retained their original singular form as the plural.
It’s believed that these nouns, often representing animals commonly encountered in everyday life, had such established usage that the singular and plural forms became solidified.
While bison is a well-known example of an invariant noun, there are others. Words like fish, aircraft, and species can also be used in both singular and plural forms without changing their spelling.
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How To Use Bison In Plural Form?
Here are some examples of how you can use Bison in Plural Form:
Basic Usage:
- A herd of bison fed on the vast prairie.
- The bison migrated south for the winter.
- Those bison are known for their impressive horns.
In Descriptive Writing:
- The majestic bison, with their thick coats, stood against the setting sun.
- The national park is home to hundreds of bison.
In Academic or Scientific Writing:
- Studies have shown that bison populations have been steadily increasing in recent years.
- The behavior of bison herds is a complex subject for wildlife biologists.
In Conversation:
- Did you see those bison when we were driving through the park?
- I’ve always wanted to see bison in the wild.
As you can see, the plural form of bison remains unchanged, even when used in different sentence structures. However, bison is a collective noun, often referring to a group of animals. Therefore, it’s commonly used with words like “herd” or “group” to describe multiple bison.
Bison Vs. Bisons: A Quick Comparison
| Term | Meaning | Usage Example |
|---|---|---|
| Bison (singular & plural) | A large, North American wild ox. | A herd of bison roamed the plains. |
| Bisons (incorrect plural) | Not a standard plural form. | (Incorrect) There are many bisons in the park. |
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Looking at the table, ‘bison’ functions as both the singular and plural form. While ‘bisons’ may seem like a rational pluralization, it’s not recognized as a grammatically correct term in standard English.
As we’ve said, ‘bison’ is an invariant noun, it retains the same form regardless of number. In the world of English grammar, there are a few exceptions to the standard rules of pluralization.
One such exception is the invariant noun, a category that includes “bison.” Invariant nouns, also known as zero plurals, maintain the same form even if you’re referring to one or multiple things.
Here are some other examples of invariant nouns in English:
- Sheep
- Deer
- Fish
- Species
FAQs About The Plural Form Of Bison
What Is The Plural Form Of Bison?
The plural form of bison is bison
Why Is The Plural Of Bison The Same As The Singular?
Bison is an invariant noun, meaning it doesn’t change form whether it’s singular or plural. This is due to historical reasons and consistent usage over time.
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Are There Any Other Words Like Bison That Have The Same Singular And Plural Form?
Yes, there are other invariant nouns, such as sheep, deer, and moose.
Is “Bisons” A Correct Plural Form Of Bison?
No, “bisons” is not a correct plural form. The plural of bison is simply bison.
How Do I Use The Plural Form Of Bison In A Sentence?
You can use “bison” in the plural form just like you would use any other plural noun. For example, “A herd of bison grazed on the prairie.”