What is the plural form of analysis?
Introduction
If you have ever written a research paper, a business report, or a data breakdown, you have likely needed to refer to more than one analysis. But how do you spell the plural form?
The correct plural form of analysis is analyses (pronounced /əˈnæləsiːz/, uh-NAL-uh-seez).
While it sounds nearly identical to the singular form in rapid speech, the spelling changes from an i to an e at the end. This fascinating linguistic quirk comes straight from Ancient Greek, and understanding its roots will help you master similar English words.
The Etymology: Why Does It Change?
English is famous for borrowing words from other languages and keeping their original grammatical rules. Analysis entered English via Latin from the Ancient Greek word analysis, meaning "a breaking up" or "a loosening."
In Greek, nouns ending in -sis form their plurals by changing the -is to -es. Because of this, words of Greek origin retain their classical pluralization patterns rather than simply adding an "s" or "es" like native English words.
Other Words That Follow This Pattern
You are likely already familiar with other Greek-derived words that share this exact pluralization pattern:
- Diagnosis becomes diagnoses
- Hypothesis becomes hypotheses
- Thesis becomes theses
- Parenthesis becomes parentheses
Quick Reference Table
To keep things crystal clear, here is a quick comparison table showing how these Greek-derived singular and plural forms match up.
| Singular Form (Ends in -is) | Plural Form (Ends in -es) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Analysis | Analyses | Detailed examinations of elements or structure |
| Hypothesis | Hypotheses | Proposed explanations made on limited evidence |
| Diagnosis | Diagnoses | Identifications of the nature of an illness or problem |
| Thesis | Theses | Statements or theories put forward as a premise |
Real-World Examples
Seeing words used in context is the best way to make them stick. Notice how the singular and plural forms function in these everyday sentences:
- Singular: "The financial analysis revealed a surprising drop in third-quarter profits."
- Plural: "The team conducted multiple analyses to ensure the data was completely accurate."
- Plural: "Before publishing the paper, the researchers reviewed the linguistic analyses side by side."
Common Pitfalls and Mistakes
Even native speakers sometimes stumble over words ending in -sis. Here are the two most common traps to avoid:
- Adding an 'es' to make "analyseses": Never add an extra plural ending to the plural form. Analyses is already plural; writing "analyseses" is a redundant grammatical error.
- Confusing pronunciation: Remember that the singular analysis ends in a short "ih" sound (/ɪ/), while the plural analyses ends in a long "ee" sound (/iː/). Pay attention to this subtle shift when speaking professionally.
Summary
Mastering words like analysis and analyses instantly elevates your writing and demonstrates a strong command of academic and professional English. Just remember: swap the i for an e, and you are good to go!