Plural of Bias
The Quick Answer
The plural of "bias" is "biases." The plural form with a double s ("biasses") is obsolete.The Plural of Bias
The plural of "bias" is "biases." In other words, the noun "bias" forms its plural in a standard way. The "es" ending is not pronounced "eez" as with "analyses" and "oases" (from "analysis" and "oasis"). Also of note, "biasses" (an old form of the plural with a double s) is now obsolete.- At the end, ignorance is the source of biases. If we cure that, there's nothing to fear and hate. (Musician Daryl Davis)
- I'm not staid and unbiased here. I have certain biases I want to convey, and if you disagree, that's fine. (Newsreader Neil Cavuto)
Are You Good at Plurals?
Here's a quick test.The Standard Rules for Forming the Plurals
The table below shows the standard rules for forming the plurals of nouns in English.Type | Example of Type | Forming the Plural | Plural |
---|---|---|---|
Most Nouns | lamp scythe |
add s | lamps scythes |
Noun Ending s, sh, ch, x or z | box dress bias |
add es | boxes dresses biases |
Nouns ending [consonant] o |
zero tomato |
add either s or es (There are no rules for this - you have to know.) |
zeros tomatoes |
Nouns ending [vowel] o | patio ratio |
add s | patios ratios |
Nouns ending [consonant] y | story penny |
change the y to an i and add es | stories pennies |
Nouns ending [vowel] y | donkey chimney |
add s | donkeys chimneys |
Nouns ending f or fe | dwarf hoof |
ves and/or s (There are no rules - you have to know.) |
dwarfs hooves or hoofs |
Nouns ending is | oasis diagnosis |
change the "is" to "es" | oases diagnoses |
Exceptions | man louse |
some nouns undergo a vowel or letters change | men lice |
More exceptions | salmon sheep |
some nouns do not change at all | salmon sheep |
Foreign rulings | fungus medium |
some nouns adopt foreign rulings | fungi media |
Why Is There Confusion over the Plural of Bias?
"Bias" looks a little a like "analysis" and "oasis," both of which derive from Greek. The plurals of "analysis" and "oasis" are "analyses" and "oases" (pronounced with an "eez" ending), and this leads to some mistakenly giving "biases" a similar "eez" ending. "Bias" does not derive from Greek, and it does not end -is.The old plural "biasses" is now obsolete. [evidence]
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