Plural of Analysis: What It Is and How to Use It Correctly
Many English learners and even native speakers occasionally pause when they need the plural form of the word “analysis.” It looks straightforward at first, but its plural does not follow the standard pattern of simply adding an “s.” The correct plural of analysis is analyses.
This small spelling change often creates confusion because the ending shifts from -sis to -ses. Understanding why this happens can make your writing clearer and more professional. Whether you are writing academic papers, business reports, research documents, or everyday emails, using the correct plural form helps you communicate accurately.
In this article, we will explore the plural of analysis in detail, explain why the word changes the way it does, provide examples, discuss common mistakes, and show how experts use the term in different contexts.
What Is the Plural of Analysis?
The plural of analysis is analyses.
Here is the basic rule:
| Singular | Plural |
|---|---|
| analysis | analyses |
For example:
- Singular: The scientist completed an analysis of the data.
- Plural: The scientists completed several analyses of the data.
This plural form comes from Greek and has been preserved in English. Words ending in -sis often change to -ses when pluralized.
Some similar examples include:
| Singular | Plural |
|---|---|
| analysis | analyses |
| crisis | crises |
|---|---|
| thesis | theses |
| hypothesis | hypotheses |
| diagnosis | diagnoses |
Recognizing this pattern makes it easier to remember the correct plural form.
Why Does Analysis Become Analyses?
The change from analysis to analyses comes from the word’s Greek origin.
In ancient Greek, many nouns ending in -sis formed their plurals by changing to -seis. English adopted many of these words and retained their traditional plural forms.
That is why we write:
- analysis → analyses
- thesis → theses
- crisis → crises
Although English has many regular plurals, it also contains a number of words that keep older grammatical patterns. These irregular plurals can seem unusual, but they are standard and widely accepted.
Using the correct form is especially important in formal writing. Readers often notice mistakes involving words like analysis because they appear frequently in academic, scientific, and professional contexts.
How to Pronounce Analyses
Pronunciation is another area where people sometimes hesitate.
The singular analysis is pronounced:
uh-NAL-uh-sis
The plural analyses is pronounced:
uh-NAL-uh-seez
Notice that the final sound changes from -sis to -seez.
Examples:
- Singular: Her analysis was thorough.
- Plural: Their analyses were thorough.
Practicing the pronunciation can help you use the word more confidently in presentations, meetings, and classroom discussions.
Examples of Analysis and Analyses in Sentences
Seeing the word in context is one of the best ways to understand how it works.
Singular: Analysis
- The financial analysis showed that profits had increased.
- She conducted a detailed analysis of customer behavior.
- The doctor reviewed the blood test analysis.
- His analysis of the novel was insightful.
- The market analysis predicted strong growth.
Plural: Analyses
- Several analyses were performed before the report was published.
- The researchers compared multiple analyses of the same dataset.
- Different analyses led to different conclusions.
- The committee reviewed all the analyses submitted by the experts.
- These analyses provide a broader understanding of the issue.
Notice that analyses is used only when referring to more than one analysis.
Common Mistakes People Make
Writing “analysises”
One of the most common mistakes is adding a regular -es ending.
Incorrect: analysises
Correct: analyses
Because the word already ends in -sis, the entire ending changes.
Using “analysis” for Multiple Items
Another mistake is keeping the singular form when talking about several studies or evaluations.
Incorrect: We completed three analysis.
Correct: We completed three analyses.
Confusing Pronunciation
Some speakers pronounce the plural the same way as the singular. While people may still understand you, the standard pronunciation distinguishes the two forms.
Mixing Singular and Plural Grammar
When using analyses, remember that it is a plural noun and should be paired with plural verbs.
Incorrect: The analyses shows a trend.
Correct: The analyses show a trend.
Using Analysis in Academic Writing
In academic settings, the distinction between analysis and analyses is especially important.
Researchers often conduct multiple investigations, statistical evaluations, or interpretations of data. In these cases, the plural form appears frequently.
For example:
The paper presents several analyses of climate data collected over ten years.
Here, analyses indicates that more than one analytical approach was used.
Academic readers expect precise language. A grammatical error involving a common research term can distract from the quality of the work itself. That is why scholars pay close attention to plural forms.
Using Analysis in Business and Finance
Business professionals also rely heavily on the word analysis.
Common phrases include:
- market analysis
- financial analysis
- risk analysis
- competitor analysis
- cost analysis
When multiple reports or evaluations are involved, the plural becomes necessary.
Examples:
- The company commissioned several market analyses.
- Our financial analyses identified areas for improvement.
- The risk analyses were reviewed by senior management.
Using the correct plural helps maintain a professional tone in reports and presentations.
Analysis vs. Analyses: Quick Comparison
| Feature | Analysis | Analyses |
|---|---|---|
| Number | Singular | Plural |
| Meaning | One examination or study | Multiple examinations or studies |
| Example | “The analysis is complete.” | “The analyses are complete.” |
| Pronunciation | uh-NAL-uh-sis | uh-NAL-uh-seez |
This table provides a quick reference whenever you are unsure which form to use.
Memory Tricks to Remember the Plural
If you often forget whether the plural is analyses or something else, these memory tricks can help.
Think of “thesis → theses”
Many people already know that the plural of thesis is theses. Since analysis follows the same pattern, you can remember:
thesis → theses
analysis → analyses
Remember the “seez” Sound
The plural ends with a -seez sound:
analyses = uh-NAL-uh-seez
This pronunciation clue can help reinforce the spelling.
Associate It With Multiple Studies
When you think “many studies,” think analyses. The extra meaning of “many” reminds you to use the plural form.
Historical Background of the Word
The word analysis comes from the Greek word analusis, meaning “a breaking up” or “loosening.”
Originally, it referred to the process of breaking something into parts in order to understand it better. Over time, the term entered Latin and then English, where it became a key word in science, philosophy, literature, and business.
Because the word has ancient roots, it retained its traditional Greek plural form rather than adopting a regular English plural ending.
This historical background explains why analysis behaves differently from more common nouns like book or car.
When to Use Analysis and When to Use Analyses
Use “analysis” When Referring to One Study or Examination
Examples:
- The analysis was completed yesterday.
- Her analysis of the poem was excellent.
- The laboratory analysis confirmed the results.
Use “analyses” When Referring to More Than One
Examples:
- The analyses were completed yesterday.
- The researchers presented several analyses.
- Multiple analyses supported the conclusion.
A simple question can help:
Am I talking about one analysis or more than one?
If the answer is “more than one,” use analyses.
Examples From Different Fields
Science
- The chemical analysis identified the substance.
- The chemical analyses produced consistent results.
Literature
- His analysis of the novel was persuasive.
- Different analyses of the novel reached different conclusions.
Economics
- The analysis predicted a recession.
- Several analyses predicted economic growth.
Healthcare
- The blood analysis revealed an infection.
- Multiple blood analyses were performed.
Technology
- The data analysis uncovered a pattern.
- The data analyses uncovered several patterns.
These examples show how frequently the word appears across professional disciplines.
Why Correct Usage Matters
Using the correct plural form may seem like a small detail, but it has a significant impact on credibility.
Correct grammar helps readers focus on your ideas rather than your mistakes. In academic and professional environments, precision is often associated with expertise.
Imagine reading a research paper that repeatedly uses “analysises.” Even if the research is strong, the error can make the writing appear less polished. The same applies to business reports, presentations, and published articles.
By mastering the plural of analysis, you improve both clarity and professionalism.
Conclusion
The plural of analysis is analyses. This form follows a traditional Greek pattern in which words ending in -sis change to -ses when pluralized.
Remember the key points:
- Analysis = singular
- Analyses = plural
- Pronounced uh-NAL-uh-seez in the plural form
- Commonly used in academic, scientific, business, and professional writing
- Avoid the incorrect form analysises
Once you recognize the pattern shared by words like thesis, crisis, and diagnosis, the plural of analysis becomes much easier to remember.
Whether you are writing a report, preparing a presentation, or improving your English skills, using analyses correctly will make your communication more accurate and polished.
FAQs
- What is the plural of analysis? The plural of analysis is analyses.
- Is “analysises” correct? No, the correct plural form is analyses.
- How do you pronounce analyses? It is pronounced “uh-NAL-uh-seez.”
- Why does analysis become analyses? The word follows a Greek pluralization pattern where -sis changes to -ses.
- Can I use analysis for more than one study? No, use analyses when referring to more than one study or examination.
- Is analyses singular or plural? Analyses is plural.
- What is an example of analyses in a sentence? “The researchers conducted several analyses of the data.”
- Do academic writers use analyses often? Yes, the plural form is very common in academic and research writing.
- What words follow the same pattern as analysis? Thesis, crisis, diagnosis, and hypothesis follow the same pluralization pattern.
- How can I remember the plural of analysis? Think of “thesis → theses” and apply the same pattern: “analysis → analyses.”
