Analysis Plural Form: Rule, Examples, and Mistakes

If you are writing a report, reading research, or discussing data, you will need the plural of analysis. The correct plural form is analyses (pronounced uh-NAL-uh-seez). This follows a specific rule for words ending in -sis that come from Greek. This guide explains the rule, shows you how to use it in real writing and conversation, and helps you avoid the most common mistake.

Quick Answer: What Is the Plural of Analysis?

The plural of analysis is analyses. You change the -sis ending to -ses. This is not a regular English plural (adding -s or -es). It is a special rule for words like crisis (crises), thesis (theses), and hypothesis (hypotheses).

• Singular: analysis
• Plural: analyses

Do not write analysises or analysises. Both are incorrect.

The Rule for Words Ending in -sis

Many English words borrowed from Greek that end in -sis form their plural by changing the -sis to -ses. This is a fixed pattern. Here is a quick comparison table to show the change:

Notice that the spelling changes, but the pronunciation also shifts slightly. In analysis, the last syllable sounds like -sis. In analyses, the last syllable sounds like -seez.

Why This Rule Exists

This is not a random exception. English kept the original Greek plural pattern for these words. When you learn one word in this group, you can apply the same change to others. This makes the rule very useful once you recognize the pattern.

Formal vs. Informal Use

The word analysis and its plural analyses are most common in formal, academic, and professional contexts. You will see them in research papers, business reports, scientific articles, and data presentations.

• Formal tone (email, report, academic writing): Use analyses when referring to multiple studies or examinations. Example: The team presented three separate analyses of the market data.
• Informal tone (conversation, casual email): You might still use analyses, but it can sound a bit heavy. In everyday talk, people sometimes say analysis even when they mean more than one, or they rephrase the sentence. Example: We did a few different analyses on the numbers. This is acceptable in conversation but less precise in writing.

Context Nuance

In a business email, using the correct plural shows attention to detail. For example: Please find attached the analyses for Q1 and Q2. In a casual chat with a colleague, you might say: I ran the numbers a couple of times, and the analyses all point the same way. Both are correct, but the first feels more polished.

Natural Examples

Here are real-world examples that show how analyses is used in different situations.

Academic Writing

• The researcher published two separate analyses of the survey results.
• Both analyses confirmed the original hypothesis.
• Students must submit their data analyses by Friday.

Business and Professional

• Our financial analyses indicate a need for cost reduction.
• The consultant provided detailed analyses of the competitor landscape.
• We need to review the risk analyses before making a decision.

Everyday Conversation

• I did a few quick analyses of the recipe to see which ingredients matter most.
• Her analyses of the movie were spot on.

Common Mistakes

Even advanced English learners make mistakes with this word. Here are the most frequent errors and how to fix them.

Mistake 1: Adding -es to the Singular

Incorrect: We conducted several analysises.
Correct: We conducted several analyses.

This is the most common error. Learners treat analysis like a regular noun and add -es. Remember the -sis to -ses rule.

Mistake 2: Using the Singular Form for Plural

Incorrect: There are three analysis in the report.
Correct: There are three analyses in the report.

This mistake happens when the writer knows the word but forgets to change the ending. Always check the number.

Mistake 3: Confusing Pronunciation

Some learners write analyses correctly but pronounce it like analysis (with a short -sis sound). The plural should end with a -seez sound. Practice saying: analysis (uh-NAL-uh-sis) vs. analyses (uh-NAL-uh-seez).

Mistake 4: Overusing the Word

In informal writing, using analyses too often can sound stiff. If you are writing a casual email to a coworker, you might say checks, reviews, or looks instead. For example: I did a couple of quick checks on the data. This is not wrong, but it is more natural in conversation.

Better Alternatives and When to Use Them

Sometimes you do not need the word analyses at all. Here are simpler alternatives for different contexts.

• Studies: Use when referring to formal research. Example: Several studies support this finding.
• Reviews: Good for business or casual contexts. Example: We completed the quarterly reviews.
• Checks: Very informal, suitable for everyday conversation. Example: I ran a few checks on the system.
• Examinations: More formal, similar to analyses. Example: The examinations revealed no errors.
• Assessments: Common in education and business. Example: The risk assessments are complete.

When to Use Analyses

Use analyses when you want to be precise and formal. It is the best choice in academic papers, professional reports, and any situation where you need to show that a detailed, methodical examination took place. If the context is casual, a simpler word often works better.

Mini Practice: Check Your Understanding

Test yourself with these four questions. Choose the correct option.

Question 1

Which sentence is correct?
A) The scientist presented her analysises to the committee.
B) The scientist presented her analyses to the committee.
C) The scientist presented her analysis to the committee.

Answer: B. The plural of analysis is analyses. Option A is a common misspelling. Option C is singular, which would be correct only if she presented one analysis.

Question 2

Fill in the blank: We need to compare the ______ from last year and this year.
A) analysis
B) analyses
C) analysises

Answer: B. The sentence refers to two different time periods, so the plural analyses is needed.

Question 3

Which word is a better alternative to analyses in a casual email to a friend?
A) theses
B) checks
C) parentheses

Answer: B. Checks is informal and natural for everyday conversation. Theses is a different word, and parentheses is unrelated.

Question 4

True or false: The plural of analysis follows the same rule as the plural of crisis.
A) True
B) False

Answer: A. Both change -sis to -ses: crisis becomes crises, and analysis becomes analyses.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is it ever correct to write analysises?

No. Analysises is not a word in standard English. The correct plural is analyses. If you see this form, it is a spelling error.

2. Can I use analysis as both singular and plural?

No. Analysis is strictly singular. Using it as a plural is grammatically incorrect. Always change the spelling to analyses for more than one.

3. How do I pronounce analyses?

Pronounce it uh-NAL-uh-seez. The last syllable rhymes with sees or freeze. Do not pronounce it like the singular analysis (which ends with -sis).

4. What other words follow this same -sis to -ses rule?

Many academic and scientific words follow this pattern. Common examples include crisis (crises), thesis (theses), hypothesis (hypotheses), diagnosis (diagnoses), parenthesis (parentheses), and synopsis (synopses). Learning this group together makes the rule easier to remember.

For more help with similar patterns, visit our Plural Spelling Rules section. If you have questions about other tricky plurals, check the FAQ page or read our Editorial Policy to understand how we create these guides.