What Is the Plural of Criterion?
The plural of criterion is criteria. This is a direct answer: if you need more than one standard or principle by which something is judged, you use criteria. For example, “The committee applied several criteria to select the winner.” While criterion is the singular form, criteria is the standard plural in both formal and informal English. However, many English learners—and even native speakers—confuse these two words. This guide will help you use them correctly in writing, email, study, and everyday conversation.
Quick Answer: Criterion vs. Criteria
- Singular: criterion (one standard or rule)
- Plural: criteria (two or more standards or rules)
- Usage note: In formal writing, always use criteria as plural. In informal conversation, some people treat criteria as singular, but this is widely considered a mistake in careful English.
Why This Confusion Happens
Many English words that come from Greek or Latin keep their original plural forms. Criterion comes from Greek, where the plural ending is -a instead of the more common English -s or -es. Other similar words include phenomenon (plural: phenomena) and medium (plural: media). Because criteria ends in -a, it sounds like a singular word to some speakers, leading to errors like “this criteria is” instead of “these criteria are.”
Formal vs. Informal Tone
In formal writing—such as academic papers, business reports, or professional emails—you should always use criteria as a plural noun. For example:
- Formal: “The criteria for admission are clearly stated.”
- Informal: “What criteria is the boss using?” (This is common in casual speech but not recommended in writing.)
If you are writing an email to a colleague or a client, stick with the formal plural usage. It shows attention to detail and respect for standard English.
Comparison Table: Criterion vs. Criteria
| Feature | Criterion (Singular) | Criteria (Plural) |
|---|---|---|
| Number | One | Two or more |
| Example sentence | “The main criterion is cost.” | “The criteria include cost and quality.” |
| Verb agreement | Use singular verb: is, was, has | Use plural verb: are, were, have |
| Common error | Using criteria as singular | Using criterias (incorrect) |
| Formal tone | Always singular | Always plural |
| Informal tone | Rarely used; many say criteria for both | Often used as singular in casual speech |
Natural Examples
Here are real-life examples showing how criterion and criteria are used in different contexts:
In Academic Writing
- “The professor explained that each criterion must be met before the project is approved.”
- “The criteria for the scholarship are based on grades and community service.”
In Business Emails
- “Please confirm the criterion for selecting the vendor.”
- “We have updated the hiring criteria to include experience with remote teams.”
In Everyday Conversation
- “What criterion did you use to pick this restaurant?” (Less common; most people say “What criteria did you use?”)
- “The criteria for a good movie, in my opinion, are a strong plot and good acting.”
Common Mistakes
Even careful writers sometimes make errors with these words. Here are the most frequent mistakes and how to avoid them:
Mistake 1: Using “criteria” as a singular noun
Incorrect: “The first criteria is price.”
Correct: “The first criterion is price.”
Mistake 2: Adding an “-s” to “criteria”
Incorrect: “We have three criterias to consider.”
Correct: “We have three criteria to consider.”
Mistake 3: Using “criterion” for multiple items
Incorrect: “The criterion for success are clear.”
Correct: “The criteria for success are clear.”
Mistake 4: Confusing “criteria” with “criterion” in lists
Incorrect: “One of the criteria is speed.” (This is actually acceptable in informal English, but careful writers prefer “One of the criteria is speed” because “one of” implies a group. However, purists argue that “one of the criteria” is fine since “criteria” is plural and “one” is singular. To be safe, use “one of the criteria” in most contexts.)
Better Alternatives and When to Use Them
If you are unsure about criterion and criteria, you can sometimes use simpler words. Here are some alternatives:
- Standard – “The main standard is quality.” (Good for informal writing)
- Rule – “What rule did you follow?” (Very clear and simple)
- Requirement – “The requirements are listed below.” (Common in business)
- Measure – “We need a clear measure of success.” (Useful in data contexts)
When to use them: Use criterion and criteria when you are in a formal or academic setting. Use simpler alternatives in everyday conversation or when writing for a general audience. For example, in an email to a colleague, you might write “What are the requirements?” instead of “What are the criteria?”
Mini Practice: Test Yourself
Choose the correct word (criterion or criteria) for each sentence. Answers are below.
- The most important __________ for this job is experience.
- All the __________ have been reviewed by the panel.
- Each __________ must be evaluated separately.
- These __________ are too strict for beginners.
Answers
- criterion (singular: “the most important”)
- criteria (plural: “all the”)
- criterion (singular: “each”)
- criteria (plural: “these”)
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is “criteria” singular or plural?
Criteria is the plural form of criterion. In standard English, it should be used with plural verbs (e.g., “The criteria are…”). However, in informal speech, some people use it as a singular noun. This is not recommended in formal writing.
2. Can I use “criterias” as a plural?
No. Criterias is not a standard English word. The correct plural is always criteria.
3. What is the plural of “criterion” in British English?
The plural is the same: criteria. British English follows the same rule as American English for this word.
4. How do I remember the difference?
Think of the word criterion as ending in -on, like phenomenon. Both change the -on to -a in the plural: criterion → criteria, phenomenon → phenomena. This pattern can help you recall the correct form.
Final Tip for Real Writing
When you are writing an email, a report, or a study note, take a moment to check whether you are talking about one standard or several. If it is one, use criterion. If it is more than one, use criteria. This small habit will make your English more accurate and professional. For more help with similar words, explore our guides on Common Plural Forms or Confusing Plurals. If you have questions about this topic, feel free to contact us or check our FAQ page.
