Spelling issue

[numberland]

How do I explain why using 'baseis' as a plural of 'basis' is just wrong to one of my lecturers? Other then just saying it's not a choice, the English plural is 'bases'...

Comments

[robert-jones.livejournal.com]

I don't see that it is "just wrong". "Basis" is a Greek word, and, as you no doubt know, "baseis" is the correct Greek plural. The plural "bases" is a Latinisation. The normal English plural rule would give "basises", which is admittedly rather a mouthful or (more plausibly) "basis". The only basis on which "bases" can be said to be correct is that it is established usage.