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The proper pluralization of 'bonus' (for educational purposes only)

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Rally Wixx	Posted - 2006.05.22 09:13:00 - [1] For those of you who are interested in this sort of thing, when refering to your ship: The plural of "bonus" is "bonuses". It is not "boni". It is especially not "bonii". For those that think "boni" is correct: Often in English we tend to over-latinize the plural endings of words that end in -us. Yes, it is true that "bonus" is a latin word; it is however an adjective and not a noun. It can be a substantive adjective and act like a noun, but it is not a noun. Yes, sometimes incorrectly repeated use of an -i ending on words can force incorrect words to become legitimate words. Octopus and Succubus are good examples of that. Technically Octopuses and succubuses are their correct pluralized forms, but octopi and succubi are accepted now also. This does not hold true for bonus. It might in the future, but not yet. For those of you who think "bonii" is correct: You're not even following the rules for pluralization that you think you're following. I see this a lot with "virus" as well. The correct plural of "virus" is "viruses", but some people insist on "virii". In order for a pluralized word to end in -ii, there must be an "i" which ends the stem of the word. If "virus" was a latin word, its stem would be "vir" not "viri", but "virus" is an english word and does not have a stem because it does not have an inflected ending, or more precisely, the entire word is the stem. So I don't really know why people throw the extra "i"'s in there, other than the fact that it makes words easier to say. I just thought you all should know because sometimes it seems like I see "boni" and "bonii" in posts because people think they look more intelligent using latinized endings.
Xeaon	Posted - 2006.05.22 09:24:00 - [2] It was a joke.
Testy Mctest	Posted - 2006.05.22 09:27:00 - [3] Edited by: Testy Mctest on 22/05/2006 09:26:59 Originally by: Rally Wixx For those of you who are interested in this sort of thing, when refering to your ship: The plural of "bonus" is "bonuses". It is not "boni". It is especially not "bonii". For those that think "boni" is correct: Often in English we tend to over-latinize the plural endings of words that end in -us. Yes, it is true that "bonus" is a latin word; it is however an adjective and not a noun. It can be a substantive adjective and act like a noun, but it is not a noun. Yes, sometimes incorrectly repeated use of an -i ending on words can force incorrect words to become legitimate words. Octopus and Succubus are good examples of that. Technically Octopuses and succubuses are their correct pluralized forms, but octopi and succubi are accepted now also. This does not hold true for bonus. It might in the future, but not yet. For those of you who think "bonii" is correct: You're not even following the rules for pluralization that you think you're following. I see this a lot with "virus" as well. The correct plural of "virus" is "viruses", but some people insist on "virii". In order for a pluralized word to end in -ii, there must be an "i" which ends the stem of the word. If "virus" was a latin word, its stem would be "vir" not "viri", but "virus" is an english word and does not have a stem because it does not have an inflected ending, or more precisely, the entire word is the stem. So I don't really know why people throw the extra "i"'s in there, other than the fact that it makes words easier to say. I just thought you all should know because sometimes it seems like I see "boni" and "bonii" in posts because people think they look more intelligent using latinized endings. I've been meaning to do this for ages. Nice one. Although more often I think it's people who's first language is not english and dont understand when to and when not to apply this particular rule for plurals get it wrong. Still, it annoys the living s*** out of me :)
Winter Star	Posted - 2006.05.22 10:24:00 - [4] I think you'll be lucky to make a difference with bonuses when so many people can't work out your / you're
Rally Wixx	Posted - 2006.05.22 10:37:00 - [5] Thank you, Winter. You dashed my hopes expertly.
Scorpyn	Posted - 2006.05.22 10:44:00 - [6] Boni will probably take over sooner or later whether it's correct or not, for the simple reason that it's shorter. I use bonuses myself, never heard the apparently non-existing word boni until very recently. ____________________ 45545555555555555555
Rodj Blake	Posted - 2006.05.22 10:47:00 - [7] Edited by: Rodj Blake on 22/05/2006 10:48:16 Originally by: Scorpyn Boni will probably take over sooner or later whether it's correct or not, for the simple reason that it's shorter. I use bonuses myself, never heard the apparently non-existing word boni until very recently. If people tend towards shorter versions of words, then why do so many people insist on using stadiums and referendums rather than stadia and referenda? Dulce et decorum est, pro imperator mori
Testy Mctest	Posted - 2006.05.22 10:48:00 - [8] Originally by: Winter Star I think you'll be lucky to make a difference with bonuses when so many people can't work out your / you're People putting apostrophes where they aren't needed (Those car's are really fast!) is the most common misuse of grammar in the English language. Now and again, you even see it in publications from big companies, and such. It always amazes me how it makes it past proof reading. Originally by: Scorpyn never heard the apparently non-existing word boni until very recently. It's an Eve related phenomenon, I think. Testy's Eve Blog - Updated 22/05/06!
Gariuys	Posted - 2006.05.22 10:49:00 - [9] Originally by: Rodj Blake Edited by: Rodj Blake on 22/05/2006 10:48:16 Originally by: Scorpyn Boni will probably take over sooner or later whether it's correct or not, for the simple reason that it's shorter. I use bonuses myself, never heard the apparently non-existing word boni until very recently. If people tend towards shorter versions of words, then why do so many people insist on using stadiums and referendums rather than stadia and referenda? Too annoy Nikolai. ;-) ~{When evil and strange get together anything is possible}~ A tool is only useless when you don't know how to use it. - ActiveX The grass is always greener on the other side. - JoCool
Rodj Blake	Posted - 2006.05.22 10:50:00 - [10] Originally by: Testy Mctest Originally by: Winter Star I think you'll be lucky to make a difference with bonuses when so many people can't work out your / you're People putting apostrophes where they aren't needed (Those car's are really fast!) is the most common misuse of grammar in the English language. Now and again, you even see it in publications from big companies, and such. It always amazes me how it makes it past proof reading. I saw Pizza's on special offer at Sainsbury's a while back. I refused to buy them on principle, as I wasn't sure which item belonging to Pizza I was going to end up with... Dulce et decorum est, pro imperator mori

Testy Mctest	Posted - 2006.05.22 10:50:00 - [11] Originally by: Rodj Blake Edited by: Rodj Blake on 22/05/2006 10:48:16 Originally by: Scorpyn Boni will probably take over sooner or later whether it's correct or not, for the simple reason that it's shorter. I use bonuses myself, never heard the apparently non-existing word boni until very recently. If people tend towards shorter versions of words, then why do so many people insist on using stadiums and referendums rather than stadia and referenda? Because people don't know how to use the language properly, as we all know. However, what's commonly accepted as correct is not necessarily wrong, in my view. Language is simply a means of communication. If something is communicated well, does it really matter if your grammar is technically correct or not? Testy's Eve Blog - Updated 22/05/06!
Dinique	Posted - 2006.05.22 10:51:00 - [12] Originally by: Rally Wixx For those of you who are interested in this sort of thing, when refering to your ship: The plural of "bonus" is "bonuses". It is not "boni". It is especially not "bonii". For those that think "boni" is correct: Often in English we tend to over-latinize the plural endings of words that end in -us. Yes, it is true that "bonus" is a latin word; it is however an adjective and not a noun. It can be a substantive adjective and act like a noun, but it is not a noun. Yes, sometimes incorrectly repeated use of an -i ending on words can force incorrect words to become legitimate words. Octopus and Succubus are good examples of that. Technically Octopuses and succubuses are their correct pluralized forms, but octopi and succubi are accepted now also. This does not hold true for bonus. It might in the future, but not yet. For those of you who think "bonii" is correct: You're not even following the rules for pluralization that you think you're following. I see this a lot with "virus" as well. The correct plural of "virus" is "viruses", but some people insist on "virii". In order for a pluralized word to end in -ii, there must be an "i" which ends the stem of the word. If "virus" was a latin word, its stem would be "vir" not "viri", but "virus" is an english word and does not have a stem because it does not have an inflected ending, or more precisely, the entire word is the stem. So I don't really know why people throw the extra "i"'s in there, other than the fact that it makes words easier to say. I just thought you all should know because sometimes it seems like I see "boni" and "bonii" in posts because people think they look more intelligent using latinized endings. Reading stuff like bonii in the Player Guides hurts my eyes. Thank you very much, this is a pet peeve of mine.

Redundancy	Posted - 2006.05.22 10:52:00 - [13] As far as I'm aware, it started with a dev blog / patch note joke and just stuck.

Scorpyn	Posted - 2006.05.22 10:52:00 - [14] Originally by: Rodj Blake If people tend towards shorter versions of words even though they're incorrect, then why do so many people insist on using stadiums and referendums rather than stadia and referenda? I don't think those words are used enough to make it interesting to make them shorter. ____________________ 45545555555555555555
Winter Star	Posted - 2006.05.22 10:54:00 - [15] Edited by: Winter Star on 22/05/2006 10:55:11 Quote: ... If something is communicated well, does it really matter if your grammar is technically correct or not? I think a certain amount of adherence to convention is required. I only hope that txt spk dsnt tk ovr! tht wud do me hed in.
Martinus Crimson	Posted - 2006.05.22 10:55:00 - [16] Originally by: Redundancy As far as I'm aware, it started with a dev blog / patch note joke and just stuck. But your not Jove, only Joves have high awareness. ----------------- ^^ Now i got my own exotic dancers, thnx Chribba
Scorpyn	Posted - 2006.05.22 10:55:00 - [17] Originally by: Redundancy As far as I'm aware, it started with a dev blog / patch note joke and just stuck. Yes, you also need something to set the ball in motion ____________________ 45545555555555555555
Emily Spankratchet	Posted - 2006.05.22 10:55:00 - [18] Originally by: Rally Wixx Octopus and Succubus are good examples of that. Technically Octopuses and succubuses are their correct pluralized forms, but octopi and succubi are accepted now also. Octopi, while often used, is just wrong. Octopus comes (possibly via latinisation) from the Greek. If anything, the plural should be octopodes. Even if it were a latin word (and then it wouldn't have -pus at the end), the plural would be octopedes. I know that several dictionaries accept octopi as a plural, but Fowler's Modern English usage only likes octopuses. It admits that octopodes is a more correct form, but thinks that using it is too pedantic. </offtopic>
Plutoinum	Posted - 2006.05.22 10:58:00 - [19] Edited by: Plutoinum on 22/05/2006 11:02:54 Originally by: Testy Mctest Originally by: Scorpyn never heard the apparently non-existing word boni until very recently. It's an Eve related phenomenon, I think. In German you can either choose between 'Boni' and 'Bonusse' as plural for 'Bonus', both correct afaik. So maybe it's the influence from different languages. It's definitely not EVE-only, because I've used it before in 'my' English.
mazzilliu	Posted - 2006.05.22 10:59:00 - [20] so thats what people mean when they say bonii i saw it in some eve player guides and i was like "huh." ---------

Shiraz Merlot	Posted - 2006.05.22 11:00:00 - [21] you're bonus's are over their. its not much differently from grammer flames. Anyway, everyone knows the correct plural is really "Bonusen". For a better challenge, try to divine the group noun :-)
Lufio II	Posted - 2006.05.22 11:01:00 - [22] Edited by: Lufio II on 22/05/2006 11:02:17 Edited by: Lufio II on 22/05/2006 11:02:03 actually it might have to do with other languages usage of plurals on words ending on "-us". In german (I'm a native german speaker, but I might be wrong here at all) it is the rule that those words end on "i" in plural, so "Bonus" would become "Boni" in plural, not "Bonusse" (which sounds stupid to be honest, at least in german context). At least that's the way I learned it in school, with all those reforms about the german orthography lately I honestly can't be sure of anything right now :) edit: arg, Plutonium beats me to it :)
Winter Star	Posted - 2006.05.22 11:03:00 - [23] So we should blame the Germans is what you're saying?
Quarantine	Posted - 2006.05.22 11:08:00 - [24] Originally by: Rally Wixx I see this a lot with "virus" as well. The correct plural of "virus" is "viruses", but some people insist on "virii". In Latin there is no plural form of virus, only singular, so viri isn't the proper plural of it in any case. Btw, in other languages boni is at least an allowed plural of bonus, so don't expect people to stop using it because of your rant.
Melkor Bloodaxe	Posted - 2006.05.22 11:11:00 - [25] We always blame the German for everything. even for the World Cup final back in '74 and all our stolen bikes 60years ago. not to speak of all the holes in our beach --- 49. Fares Hrym from the east / holding his shield the Mithgard-Worm / in mighty rage scatters the waves / screams the eagle his nib tears the dead / Naglfar loosens. [Voluspa]
Plutoinum	Posted - 2006.05.22 11:12:00 - [26] Originally by: Melkor Bloodaxe not to speak of all the holes in our beach Rofl, guess it's true.
Del ReyII	Posted - 2006.05.22 11:14:00 - [27] My boni lies over the ocean My boni lies over the sea My boni lies over the ocean O bring back my boni to me heh
Melkor Bloodaxe	Posted - 2006.05.22 11:16:00 - [28] Originally by: Del ReyII My boni lies over the ocean My boni lies over the sea My boni lies over the ocean O bring back my boni to me heh --- 49. Fares Hrym from the east / holding his shield the Mithgard-Worm / in mighty rage scatters the waves / screams the eagle his nib tears the dead / Naglfar loosens. [Voluspa]
Rally Wixx	Posted - 2006.05.22 11:30:00 - [29] Originally by: Quarantine Originally by: Rally Wixx I see this a lot with "virus" as well. The correct plural of "virus" is "viruses", but some people insist on "virii". In Latin there is no plural form of virus, only singular, so viri isn't the proper plural of it in any case. Btw, in other languages boni is at least an allowed plural of bonus, so don't expect people to stop using it because of your rant. You need to reread what I wrote. I never implied anything about a plural form of the latin word "virus" (which means venom or poison or ichor basically), I was giving the correct and incorrect plural forms of the English word "virus".
Quarantine	Posted - 2006.05.22 11:49:00 - [30] Originally by: Rally Wixx You need to reread what I wrote. I never implied anything about a plural form of the latin word "virus" (which means venom or poison or ichor basically), I was giving the correct and incorrect plural forms of the English word "virus". I never implied that you implied anything ^^. I was just pointing out that even in languages where latin endings are allowed on certain words, viri isn't the correct plural of virus either.



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