When it comes to English, some words look identical but have completely different meanings. Gases and gasses are a perfect example.
Many writers, students, and even scientists confuse these two. Using the wrong word can make your sentence confusing, incorrect, or even comical.
This guide dives deep into the difference between gases and gasses, providing clear rules, examples, and tips you can remember forever.
Understanding the Core Difference
At first glance, gases and gasses might seem interchangeable. They sound the same when spoken but serve different purposes in writing.
- Gases: This is the plural form of gas—a noun describing substances in a gaseous state, like oxygen, nitrogen, or carbon dioxide.
- Gasses: This is the third-person singular or plural verb form of to gas, meaning to supply, treat, or expose to gas.
Think of it this way: nouns describe things, verbs describe actions. If you’re talking about matter, it’s gases. If you’re describing the act of using gas, it’s gasses.
Here’s a quick reference:
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gas | Noun | Substance in gaseous state | Oxygen is one of the most abundant gases on Earth. |
| Gases | Plural Noun | More than one gas | The lab contains several dangerous gases. |
| Gasses | Verb | To supply or expose to gas | The exterminator gasses the infested room. |
The Noun: Gases
Scientific Usage
In science, gases are one of the fundamental states of matter, alongside solids, liquids, and plasma. Gases have unique characteristics:
- They expand to fill their container.
- Their particles move freely and are widely spaced.
- They have low density compared to solids or liquids.
- They are compressible, unlike liquids.
Some common scientific gases include:
| Gas Name | Formula | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Oxygen | O₂ | Breathing, combustion |
| Nitrogen | N₂ | Industrial production, food packaging |
| Carbon dioxide | CO₂ | Carbonation, photosynthesis, greenhouse gas |
| Hydrogen | H₂ | Fuel, chemical reactions |
| Helium | He | Balloons, cooling systems |
In labs or textbooks, scientists always write gases when referring to multiple substances. Saying gasses in these contexts would be incorrect and confusing.
Daily Life Usage
You encounter gases in everyday life more than you realize:
- Cooking gas in stoves (propane or butane)
- Carbonated beverages (CO₂)
- Fuel emissions from cars
- Air in tires
Even outside a laboratory, the plural noun gases is standard. For example:
- “The mechanic checked the tires for trapped gases.”
- “Carbon dioxide and nitrogen are common gases in the atmosphere.”
Gases as a Reference to States of Matter
Using gases is also correct when referring to states of matter in general. For instance:
- “Water can exist as a solid, liquid, or gas.”
- “In high-temperature conditions, many substances become gases.”
Notice that in all these cases, gasses would not make sense. Gasses always involves an action.
The Verb: Gasses
Defining ‘Gasses’ as a Verb
The word gasses is a verb. It refers to the act of supplying, treating, or exposing something to gas. Historically, it was often used in fumigation, warfare, or chemical processes.
Examples of usage:
- “The exterminator gasses the infested room to remove pests.”
- “During the industrial process, the technician gasses the containers to preserve the chemicals.”
In modern language, gasses is less common than gases, but it still appears in technical writing, historical texts, and discussions of fuel or energy.
Common Contexts for ‘Gasses’
- Fuel and Energy Industry
- Engines can be said to gasses if they release gases or fumes.
- Chemical Treatments
- Rooms, plants, or storage units may be gassed for sterilization or pest control.
- Historical Context
- References to chemical warfare or gas attacks in history often use gasses.
Examples of ‘Gasses’ in Sentences
- “The factory gasses the grains to prevent insect infestation.”
- “To start the engine, it gasses the cylinder before ignition.”
- “The old text described soldiers being gassed during chemical warfare.”
Notice how gasses always involves an action, never the substance itself.
Historical Origins of the Spellings
The Word ‘Gas’
The term gas was coined by Jan Baptist van Helmont, a Flemish chemist, in the 17th century. He reportedly derived it from the Greek word chaos to describe an invisible, unpredictable substance.
This single term eventually split in modern English usage into:
- Gases for plural nouns
- Gasses for verbs
Why ‘Gasses’ Doubles the S
English spelling rules explain this. When a one-syllable verb ends with a single vowel + consonant, you double the consonant before adding -es in third-person forms.
Examples:
- pass → passes
- kiss → kisses
- gas → gasses
This doubling helps maintain the correct vowel sound and avoids mispronunciation.
Practical Tips to Remember the Difference
If you struggle to keep gases and gasses separate, these simple tricks work:
- Mnemonic 1: If it’s a thing you can see or touch, it’s gases. If it’s an action, it gasses.
- Mnemonic 2: Picture the noun as a cloud of gas floating, and the verb as someone actively releasing it.
- Visual cue: Gases = plural matter; Gasses = performing an action.
Quick Reference Table
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Easy Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gases | Plural Noun | More than one gas | Think matter, like oxygen or nitrogen |
| Gasses | Verb | To supply/expose to gas | Think action, like fumigation or fueling |
Usage in Sentences
Common Scientific Examples
- “Hydrogen and oxygen are highly flammable gases.”
- “The experiment involved measuring the pressure of different gases at room temperature.”
Everyday Examples
- “Propane and butane are gases used in stoves.”
- “The mechanic warned about dangerous gases escaping from the car exhaust.”
Correct Verb Usage
- “The exterminator gasses the warehouse to kill the pests.”
- “Engineers gasses the pipeline before testing it for leaks.”
FAQs
Is it gases or gasses in science?
Answer: Always gases. Scientists refer to substances, not actions.
What does gasses mean as a verb?
Answer: It means to supply, treat, or expose something to gas.
Why do gases and gasses have different spellings?
Answer: Gases is plural noun; gasses is a verb. English rules dictate doubling consonants in verbs ending with a single vowel + consonant.
How can I remember the difference between gases and gasses?
Answer: If it’s a thing, it’s gases. If it’s an action, it gasses.
What are examples of gases in everyday life?
Answer: Oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, propane, butane, and air in tires.
Conclusion
Understanding the difference between gases and gasses is simple once you know the rules. Gases refer to matter—the substances you can see, touch, or measure.
Gasses describe actions—exposing, treating, or releasing something with gas. Remember the mnemonic, check the context, and you’ll never mix them up again.
Whether you’re writing a scientific paper, composing an article, or just texting a friend, your usage will now be precise, clear, and professional.
Aiden Brooks is an educational writer dedicated to simplifying grammar for learners of all levels. He creates clear, practical explanations that help students read, write, and understand English with confidence.
