Is Analysis Singular or Plural?
The short answer is that analysis is singular. Its plural form is analyses (pronounced uh-NAL-uh-seez). This is a common point of confusion because the two words look and sound similar, but they have different meanings and uses. If you are writing about one detailed examination of something, use analysis. If you are writing about two or more such examinations, use analyses.
Quick Answer
- Singular: analysis
- Plural: analyses
- Rule: This word follows the Greek plural pattern, not the regular English -s or -es rule. Words like crisis (crises), thesis (theses), and hypothesis (hypotheses) follow the same pattern.
Understanding the Difference
The word analysis comes from Greek, and English has kept the original plural form. You cannot simply add an -s to make it plural. Writing analysises or analysisses is incorrect. The change happens inside the word: the -is ending becomes -es.
In academic writing, getting this right is important because it shows attention to detail. In everyday conversation, people sometimes use the wrong form, but careful speakers and writers always make the distinction.
Formal vs. Informal Use
In formal writing—such as research papers, business reports, or academic emails—you must use the correct form. For example, a scientist would write: “The analysis of the data took two weeks.” If they had multiple studies, they would write: “The analyses of the three experiments were completed.”
In informal conversation, you might hear someone say, “I did a quick analysis of the situation,” which is fine. But if they said, “I did several analysis,” that would sound uneducated. Stick to the correct forms in all writing and most speech.
Comparison Table: Analysis vs. Analyses
| Feature | Analysis (Singular) | Analyses (Plural) |
|---|---|---|
| Number | One | More than one |
| Pronunciation | uh-NAL-uh-sis | uh-NAL-uh-seez |
| Common context | A single study, report, or examination | Multiple studies, reports, or examinations |
| Example sentence | “Her analysis of the poem was insightful.” | “The analyses of the five poems were published.” |
| Verb agreement | “The analysis is complete.” | “The analyses are complete.” |
Natural Examples
Here are examples you might encounter in real writing, email, or conversation:
- Academic email: “I have attached my analysis of the survey results. Please let me know if you need further analyses of the subgroups.”
- Business report: “The financial analysis shows a profit increase. Additional analyses of quarterly trends are available in the appendix.”
- Everyday conversation: “I did a quick analysis of the problem. We might need more detailed analyses later.”
- Study context: “The teacher asked for an analysis of the chapter. For the final project, we will submit three separate analyses.”
Common Mistakes
Even advanced learners sometimes make these errors. Here are the most frequent ones:
- Mistake 1: Using analysis as a plural.
Incorrect: “We completed three analysis.”
Correct: “We completed three analyses.” - Mistake 2: Adding -es incorrectly.
Incorrect: “The analysises were thorough.”
Correct: “The analyses were thorough.” - Mistake 3: Confusing pronunciation.
Incorrect: Saying “uh-NAL-uh-sis” for the plural.
Correct: The plural ends with a “seez” sound, not “sis.” - Mistake 4: Using the wrong verb form.
Incorrect: “The analyses is ready.”
Correct: “The analyses are ready.”
Better Alternatives and When to Use Them
Sometimes you might want to avoid confusion by using a different word. Here are some alternatives:
- Instead of “analysis”: study, examination, review, assessment, evaluation.
Example: “We conducted a thorough review of the data.” - Instead of “analyses”: studies, examinations, reviews, assessments, evaluations.
Example: “The studies were published in different journals.”
Use these alternatives when you want to be very clear, especially in spoken English where the difference between analysis and analyses can be hard to hear. However, in formal academic writing, analysis and analyses are the standard terms and should be used correctly.
Mini Practice Section
Test your understanding with these four questions. Choose the correct word: analysis or analyses.
- The scientist presented her _____ of the chemical reaction.
- We need to compare the _____ from all four laboratories.
- His _____ of the novel focused on the main character.
- The _____ were reviewed by the editorial board.
Answers:
- analysis (singular, one reaction)
- analyses (plural, more than one laboratory)
- analysis (singular, one novel)
- analyses (plural, more than one review)
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is “analysis” ever used as a plural?
No. In standard English, analysis is always singular. Using it as a plural is a common error. The correct plural is analyses.
2. How do I pronounce “analyses”?
The plural analyses is pronounced uh-NAL-uh-seez. The last syllable sounds like “sees” with a z sound. The singular analysis ends with a “sis” sound.
3. What other words follow the same pattern?
Many words that end in -is change to -es in the plural. Common examples include: crisis (crises), thesis (theses), hypothesis (hypotheses), parenthesis (parentheses), and diagnosis (diagnoses).
4. Can I use “analysis” in both formal and informal contexts?
Yes. Analysis is appropriate in all contexts, from casual conversation to academic papers. Just remember to switch to analyses when you mean more than one.
For more help with similar questions, visit our Singular or Plural Checks section. You can also explore Confusing Plurals for other tricky word pairs. If you have further questions, please see our FAQ or contact us.
