As teachers, it is important to introduce our students to various concepts in grammar. One such concept is pluralizing nouns. While some nouns follow a simple rule, such as adding “-s” or “-es,” others require more attention and explanation, such as “bison.”
Bison, by itself, is a singular noun which refers to a large North American animal that resembles a buffalo. However, when we refer to more than one bison, we do not use “bisons” as the plural. Instead, the plural form of bison remains the same, as we say “bison” for both singular and plural situations.
So, why is the plural of bison the same as its singular form? The reason is the fact that the word “bison” has its origins in Latin, which does not have a plural form for the word. Thus, the word has remained in its original form regardless of whether we are talking about one or many of the animals.
To teach your students about the plural of bison, it is important to start with an introduction to the concept of pluralization. You can highlight the basic rules of pluralization such as adding “-s” or “-es” to a noun. Once your students have a good grasp of the rules of pluralization, you can introduce them to the unique pluralization of bison.
You can start by showing students pictures of both a single bison and a pair of bison. Show them how the singular form of the noun is the same as the plural and explain to them the reason behind it. Also, stress that while the plural of bison is the same as the singular, we still use the word “many” or “a lot” when speaking of several bison, for the sake of clarity.
Finally, to ensure that your students have a good understanding of this concept, encourage them to construct their own sentences using the plural form of bison. This exercise will help them internalize this unique grammar rule.
