Have you ever paused mid-sentence and wondered, “Should I write busses or buses?” You’re not alone. English spelling can be tricky, and some words have multiple accepted forms.
Choosing the right one matters, especially in professional writing, essays, travel guides, or publications. In this guide, we’ll break down the history, rules, examples, and best practices for spelling this commonly debated word correctly.
Quick Overview
At first glance, “busses” and “buses” might seem interchangeable. Both are technically recognized as plurals of “bus,” but their usage differs. Most modern English style guides prefer buses, while busses appears rarely, often in older texts or informal writing.
Consider this example:
- “The city buses are late today.” ✅
- “The city busses are late today.” ❌ (sounds outdated or informal)
Understanding the nuances ensures your writing is polished, professional, and free of confusion.
What Does “Bus” Mean?
The word bus is short for omnibus, a Latin term meaning “for all.” It refers to a large motor vehicle designed to carry passengers, usually on scheduled routes.
- Origin: The term became popular in the 19th century with the rise of public transportation.
- Usage in sentences:
- “I take the bus to work every morning.”
- “The school bus arrives at 7:30 AM.”
Understanding the base word helps clarify its plural forms and prevents mixing it up with words that look similar.
The Two Spellings: Buses vs. Busses
Buses
- Modern, widely accepted plural form.
- Used in formal writing, newspapers, travel guides, and professional documents.
Busses
- Rarely used as a plural of bus today.
- Commonly used historically or in informal contexts.
- Can also mean kisses, which adds potential confusion:
- “He gave her three busses on the cheek.”
Key fact: Choosing “buses” is safer for professional and academic writing.
Singular Form of “Bus”
Before diving into plurals, it’s important to note that the singular form is always bus, never “busse” or “busz.”
Examples:
- Correct: “The bus is full.” ✅
- Incorrect: “The busses is full.” ❌
Keeping the singular clear ensures your pluralization doesn’t get messy.
Pluralization Rules
English has patterns, but exceptions abound. For words ending in -s, -x, -z, -ch, -sh, you generally add -es to make them plural.
| Word Ending | Plural Rule | Example |
|---|---|---|
| -s | Add -es | bus → buses |
| -x | Add -es | box → boxes |
| -z | Add -zes | quiz → quizzes |
| -ch | Add -es | church → churches |
| -sh | Add -es | brush → brushes |
Thus, the modern plural is buses.
Busses, while historically used, is now mostly considered outdated or informal.
When to Use Each Form
| Form | Usage Context | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Buses | Formal, modern, widely accepted | Safe choice for all writing |
| Busses | Informal, historical, “kisses” | Avoid in professional writing |
Tip: If your audience includes international readers or academic professionals, always choose buses.
Regional Preferences
United States
- Buses is the dominant form.
- “Busses” appears only in historical or playful contexts.
United Kingdom
- Both forms were historically used.
- Today, buses is still preferred in newspapers, official documents, and school texts.
Australia & Canada
- Follow British conventions; buses is standard.
Style Guides:
- Chicago Manual of Style: Buses
- Oxford Style Manual: Buses
- AP Stylebook: Buses
Consistency matters. Using “busses” can distract readers and reduce credibility.
Examples in Context
Using Buses
- “The city buses are on strike this week.”
- “Tour buses departed from the station at dawn.”
- “I rely on public buses to get to work.”
Using Busses
- Rare historical example: “The busses lined up along the street in the 1800s.”
- Informal/literal sense: “She gave him two busses before leaving.”
By comparing usage, it’s clear that buses dominates modern writing.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
- Mixing busses with kisses – Remember context matters.
- Overcorrecting intuitively – Some writers assume “busses” is always correct.
- Ignoring style guides – Check AP, Chicago, or Oxford when in doubt.
- Proofreading oversight – Always read your text out loud to catch awkward usage.
Pro Tip: When in doubt, choose buses. It works in every modern context.
Key Takeaways
- Buses is the safe and correct modern plural of bus.
- Busses is mostly historical or informal, sometimes meaning kisses.
- Regional and style guide preferences reinforce the use of buses.
- Always stay consistent throughout your writing.
Memory Tip: “If it carries people, write buses. If it carries kisses, write busses.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Is one form more correct than the other?
Yes, buses is the standard and widely accepted plural.
Are there regional differences?
Minimal differences today; most English-speaking countries prefer buses.
Can “busses” ever be used?
Yes, historically or informally, but it can also mean kisses.
Do style guides favor one form?
All major style guides (Chicago, AP, Oxford) prefer buses.
How do I choose the right plural in professional writing?
Always use buses for clarity and professionalism.
Final Recommendation
For professional writing, essays, travel articles, and journalism, always use buses. Use busses only if writing informally, historically, or when referring to kisses. Consistency, context, and audience clarity are the keys.
