The plural of bonus can be a tricky topic for English learners. In this article, we’ll explore the word “bonus” in depth, discussing its origins, common misconceptions, and usage in sentences. By the end of this article, you’ll have a comprehensive understanding of how to use the plural form of “bonus” correctly.
Plural of Bonus – Image
Definition and Plural of Bonus
A bonus is an additional sum of money given to an employee, usually as a reward for their work or as an incentive to improve their performance. It is a form of compensation that is not included in the employee’s regular salary or wages. Bonuses can take many forms, such as cash, stock options, or other benefits.
The plural of bonus is “bonuses.” This is a regular plural, formed by adding “-es” to the end of the singular noun. For example, “I received a bonus last year” becomes “We received bonuses last year.”
There are different types of bonuses, including performance-based bonuses, signing bonuses, referral bonuses, and retention bonuses. Performance-based bonuses are given to employees who meet or exceed their performance goals, while signing bonuses are offered to new employees as an incentive to accept a job offer. Referral bonuses are given to employees who refer a new hire to the company, and retention bonuses are used to encourage employees to stay with the company for a certain period of time.
When to Use Bonus and the Plural of Bonus
Bonuses are additional payments given to employees, usually as a reward for their hard work or as an incentive to achieve certain goals. It is important to note that the plural form of bonus is bonuses. Here are some situations when to use bonus and its plural form:
- When referring to a single additional payment, use “bonus.” Example: “She received a bonus for meeting her sales target.”
- When referring to multiple additional payments, use “bonuses.” Example: “The company gave out bonuses to all its employees.”
It is also important to note that the word “bonus” can be used as an adjective. In this case, the plural form is still “bonuses.” Example: “The company offers bonus incentives for employees who meet their targets.”
When using “bonus” as a noun, it is important to use the correct plural form to avoid confusion. The table below shows the different plural forms of some common nouns related to bonuses:
| Singular | Plural |
|---|---|
| Bonus | Bonuses |
| Incentive | Incentives |
| Reward | Rewards |
| Benefit | Benefits |
In conclusion, the plural form of bonus is bonuses. When using the word “bonus” as a noun, it is important to use the correct plural form to avoid confusion.
Examples of Bonus and Plural of Bonus in Sentences
A bonus is an extra amount of money paid to an employee, usually as a reward for their hard work or good performance. The plural form of bonus is bonuses, and it is used to refer to more than one bonus.
Here are some examples of how to use bonus and the plural of bonus in sentences:
- The company gave out bonuses to all its employees this year.
- She received a bonus for exceeding her sales target.
- They were promised bonuses if they completed the project on time.
- The bonuses were distributed evenly among the team members.
- He earned multiple bonuses for his excellent work throughout the year.
It is important to note that the word “bonus” can also be used in a non-financial context, such as a bonus feature on a product or a bonus question on a test. In these cases, the plural of bonus is still “bonuses.”
Plural Noun Rules for Regular Nouns
In English grammar, a plural noun refers to more than one person, place, thing, or idea. Most singular nouns are made plural by adding a suffix, usually -s or -es. However, there are some rules for forming plural nouns that are worth knowing.
Rule #1: Add -s or -es to the Singular Noun
The easiest way to form the plural of a regular noun is to add -s or -es to the singular form. Here are some examples:
- Singular: car, Plural: cars
- Singular: book, Plural: books
- Singular: box, Plural: boxes
- Singular: potato, Plural: potatoes
Rule #2: Add -s or -es to Nouns Ending in -o
For nouns ending in -o, the general rule is to add -es to form the plural. However, there are some exceptions, such as:
- Singular: piano, Plural: pianos
- Singular: photo, Plural: photos
- Singular: zero, Plural: zeros
Rule #3: Add -s or -es to Nouns Ending in -s, -ss, -sh, -ch, or -x
For nouns ending in -s, -ss, -sh, -ch, or -x, add -es to form the plural. Here are some examples:
- Singular: bus, Plural: buses
- Singular: kiss, Plural: kisses
- Singular: dish, Plural: dishes
- Singular: watch, Plural: watches
- Singular: box, Plural: boxes
Rule #4: Add -s or -es to Nouns Ending in a Consonant Plus -y
For nouns ending in a consonant plus -y, change the -y to -i and add -es to form the plural. Here are some examples:
- Singular: baby, Plural: babies
- Singular: city, Plural: cities
- Singular: party, Plural: parties
Rule #5: Add -s or -es to Nouns Ending in a Vowel Plus -y
For nouns ending in a vowel plus -y, simply add -s to form the plural. Here are some examples:
- Singular: boy, Plural: boys
- Singular: day, Plural: days
- Singular: key, Plural: keys
Plural Noun Rules for Irregular Nouns
When it comes to making a noun plural, most English words follow a simple rule: add an “s” or “es” to the end of the word. However, there are some words that don’t follow this rule. These are called irregular plural nouns. Here are some rules to help you form plural nouns for irregular words.
List of Common Irregular Plural Nouns
Here are some of the most common irregular plural nouns in English:
| Singular | Plural |
|---|---|
| child | children |
| foot | feet |
| tooth | teeth |
| person | people |
| mouse | mice |
| goose | geese |
| man | men |
| woman | women |
| ox | oxen |
| deer | deer |
Nouns That End in “Us”
Nouns that end in “us” often have a plural form that ends in “i”. Here are some examples:
| Singular | Plural |
|---|---|
| cactus | cacti |
| fungus | fungi |
| nucleus | nuclei |
| stimulus | stimuli |
Nouns That End in “Is”
Nouns that end in “is” often have a plural form that ends in “es”. Here are some examples:
| Singular | Plural |
|---|---|
| analysis | analyses |
| basis | bases |
| crisis | crises |
| hypothesis | hypotheses |
Nouns That End in “On”
Nouns that end in “on” often have a plural form that ends in “a”. Here are some examples:
| Singular | Plural |
|---|---|
| criterion | criteria |
| phenomenon | phenomena |
| criterion | criteria |
| phenomenon | phenomena |
Plurals That Are the Same as Singulars
Some words have the same form for both the singular and plural. Here are some examples:
| Singular and Plural |
|---|
| deer |
| fish |
| sheep |
| series |
| species |
Words That Look Like Plural Nouns but Are Singular Nouns
Some words look like they should be plural, but they are actually singular. Here are some examples:
| Singular |
| news |
| mathematics |
| physics |
| economics |
By following these rules, you can form the plural form of most irregular nouns.
Plural Nouns vs. Possessive Nouns
When it comes to grammar, understanding the difference between plural nouns and possessive nouns is essential. Plural nouns refer to more than one person, place, or thing, while possessive nouns indicate ownership or possession of something.
Plural Nouns
Plural nouns are formed in a variety of ways, depending on the word’s spelling and context. Some common rules for forming plural nouns include:
- Adding an “s” to the end of the word (e.g., bonus becomes bonuses)
- Adding “es” to the end of the word if it ends in “s,” “x,” “z,” “ch,” or “sh” (e.g., box becomes boxes)
- Changing the spelling of the word entirely (e.g., child becomes children)
It’s important to note that not all nouns follow these rules, and there are many exceptions and irregularities in English grammar.
Possessive Nouns
Possessive nouns indicate that someone or something possesses or owns something else. They are formed by adding an apostrophe and an “s” to the end of the noun (e.g., the dog’s bone). However, if the noun is plural and ends in “s,” the apostrophe is placed after the “s” (e.g., the dogs’ bones).
It’s important to note that possessive nouns can also be used to show a relationship between two nouns, such as “the book of John” becoming “John’s book.”
Plural Possessive Nouns
When a noun is both plural and possessive, it can be tricky to know where to place the apostrophe. Generally, the apostrophe is placed after the “s” at the end of the word (e.g., the dogs’ toys). However, if the plural noun does not end in “s,” the apostrophe and “s” are added as usual (e.g., the children’s toys).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the plural form of bonus?
The plural form of “bonus” is “bonuses”. This is the most commonly used form and is accepted in both American and British English.
Is bonus plural or singular?
“Bonus” is a singular noun, meaning it refers to one thing. To refer to more than one bonus, you would use the plural form “bonuses”.
Is it bonuses or Boni?
While “Boni” is technically a valid plural form of “bonus” in Latin, it is not commonly used in English. The most accepted plural form in English is “bonuses”.
What is the plural of bonus in the UK?
The plural of “bonus” in the UK is the same as in the US and other English-speaking countries: “bonuses”.
How to pronounce bonus?
The word “bonus” is pronounced as “BOH-nuhs” in American English and “BOH-niss” in British English.
What is an example of a bonus?
A bonus can refer to any additional compensation or reward given to someone in addition to their regular pay or salary. For example, an employee might receive a bonus for meeting certain performance targets or for working overtime. A company might offer a bonus to customers who refer new business to them.
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