What Is the Plural of Analysis?

The plural of analysis is analyses. This change follows the rule for many English words that end in -sis, where the ending becomes -ses in the plural. So one analysis becomes two analyses. You will see this word often in academic writing, research reports, and professional discussions.

Quick Answer

Singular: analysis
Plural: analyses
Pronunciation note: The plural analyses is pronounced uh-nal-uh-seez (the final syllable rhymes with seas). The singular analysis is pronounced uh-nal-uh-sis (the final syllable rhymes with miss).

Why the Spelling Changes

Words that come from Greek often keep their original plural pattern. Analysis is one of these words. The singular ends in -sis, and the plural changes to -ses. Other common examples include crisis (crises), thesis (theses), hypothesis (hypotheses), and diagnosis (diagnoses).

This is not an irregular plural like child/children or mouse/mice. It follows a predictable pattern for a specific group of words. Once you learn the pattern, you can apply it to any new word ending in -sis.

Comparison Table: Analysis vs. Analyses

Natural Examples

Here are examples that show how analysis and analyses are used in real writing and conversation.

Singular (analysis)

• The financial analysis showed a clear profit trend.
• Her analysis of the poem focused on the use of metaphor.
• We need a detailed analysis before we make a decision.
• This analysis is based on the latest survey results.

Plural (analyses)

• The researchers published three separate analyses of the same experiment.
• Our team compared the analyses from different departments.
• Several analyses confirmed the original finding.
• The report includes analyses of both the costs and the benefits.

Formal and Informal Contexts

Formal tone (academic, professional, email): Use analysis and analyses exactly as described. In formal writing, you will often see phrases like a thorough analysis or multiple analyses. For example: Please find attached the analyses for the third quarter. This is standard in business emails and research papers.

Informal tone (conversation, casual writing): People sometimes say analysis even when they mean more than one, but this is not correct in careful English. In everyday conversation, you might hear: I did a few analyses of the numbers last night. This is acceptable in casual talk, but in writing or formal speech, use the correct plural.

Nuance: When you use analyses, you imply that each examination is separate and distinct. For example, the analyses of the blood samples suggests each sample was examined individually. If you say the analysis of the blood samples, it could mean one combined examination of all samples. Choose carefully based on your meaning.

Common Mistakes

Here are the most frequent errors learners make with the plural of analysis.

• Using analysis as a plural: Incorrect: We conducted several analysis. Correct: We conducted several analyses.
• Adding an extra syllable: Incorrect: analysises or analysisses. Correct: analyses.
• Confusing with analyze: Analyze is a verb (to examine). Analysis is a noun (the examination). Do not write analyzes when you mean analyses.
• Spelling with a z in British English: In British English, the verb is analyse, but the noun is still analysis (plural analyses). The spelling of the noun does not change between American and British English.

Better Alternatives and When to Use Them

Sometimes you may want to avoid repeating analysis or analyses. Here are some alternatives, with notes on when they fit.

• Study / Studies: Use when referring to a detailed investigation. Example: The study showed a clear result. (More general than analysis.)
• Examination / Examinations: Use when the focus is on looking closely at something. Example: We performed several examinations of the sample.
• Review / Reviews: Use for a less technical look at information. Example: The team completed a review of the data.
• Assessment / Assessments: Use when evaluating quality or value. Example: Our assessments matched the earlier analyses.
• Evaluation / Evaluations: Use for judging the worth or significance. Example: The evaluations were based on the same criteria.

Choose the word that best fits your context. Analysis is most precise for technical or scientific work. For everyday business writing, review or assessment may sound more natural.

Mini Practice: Test Yourself

Choose the correct form (analysis or analyses) for each sentence. Answers are below.

1. The scientist completed one _____ of the data set.
2. We need to compare the _____ from both laboratories.
3. Her _____ of the situation was accurate.
4. Several _____ have been published on this topic.

Answers:
1. analysis
2. analyses
3. analysis
4. analyses

Frequently Asked Questions

Is analyses pronounced differently from analysis?

Yes. The singular analysis ends with a short iss sound (like miss). The plural analyses ends with a long eez sound (like seas). This difference helps listeners know whether you mean one or many.

Can I use analysis for both singular and plural in informal writing?

Some people do this in very casual speech or text messages, but it is not standard English. In any formal writing, email, or professional context, use analyses for the plural. Using the correct form shows attention to detail.

What about the word analyzes?

Analyzes is the third-person singular form of the verb analyze (American spelling). For example: She analyzes the data every week. It is not a plural noun. Do not confuse it with analyses.

Are there other words that follow the same pattern?

Yes. Many words ending in -sis change to -ses in the plural. Common examples include crisis (crises), thesis (theses), hypothesis (hypotheses), diagnosis (diagnoses), parenthesis (parentheses), and synopsis (synopses). Learning this pattern helps you spell all of them correctly.

Final Tip

When you write, read your sentence aloud. If you mean more than one, your ear should hear the eez sound at the end. If you mean one, the iss sound is correct. This simple check will help you avoid the most common mistake. For more help with similar words, visit our Common Plural Forms section or check the Plural Spelling Rules guide. If you have questions, see our FAQ or contact us.