Common Mistakes with the Plural of Analysis
If you have ever written about research, data, or academic work, you have likely paused at the word analysis. The most common mistake is treating analysis as both singular and plural, or using the incorrect form analyses in the wrong place. The correct plural of analysis is analyses (pronounced uh-NAL-uh-seez). This article explains the rule, shows you how to avoid frequent errors, and gives you practical examples for writing, email, and conversation.
Quick Answer: Singular vs. Plural
- Singular: analysis (one study, one examination)
- Plural: analyses (two or more studies, examinations)
Do not write analysises or use analysis when you mean more than one. The word comes from Greek, and it follows a pattern similar to crisis (crises) and thesis (theses).
Why This Mistake Happens
Many English learners see analysis and assume the plural is analysises because most English nouns add -s or -es. However, words ending in -sis change to -ses in the plural. This rule applies to a small but important group of academic and scientific terms.
Common Confusing Words in the Same Family
| Singular | Plural | Common Mistake |
|---|---|---|
| analysis | analyses | analysises |
| crisis | crises | crisises |
| thesis | theses | thesises |
| hypothesis | hypotheses | hypothesis (used as plural) |
| diagnosis | diagnoses | diagnosises |
Notice the pattern: -sis becomes -ses. This is not a rule you can guess from regular English spelling, so memorizing these five words will help you avoid many mistakes.
Formal vs. Informal Context
Formal writing (academic papers, business reports, professional emails): Always use analyses for plural. Example: The laboratory conducted three separate analyses of the sample.
Informal conversation (everyday talk, casual email): People sometimes say analysis when they mean multiple, but this is incorrect. In careful speech, say analyses. Example: I looked at your analyses, and they all show the same trend.
Email context: In professional email, using the wrong plural can make you seem less careful. Write: Please find attached the analyses for Q1 and Q2. Do not write: Please find attached the analysis for Q1 and Q2. (That would mean only one analysis.)
Natural Examples
Here are examples you might hear or write in real situations:
- The team completed two separate analyses before publishing the results.
- Her analysis of the data was thorough, but the other analyses were incomplete.
- We need more analyses before we can make a decision.
- This analysis focuses on customer behavior, while the previous analyses looked at sales trends.
- Could you send me the analyses from last month’s meeting?
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Using analysis as a plural
Incorrect: We completed three analysis this week.
Correct: We completed three analyses this week.
Mistake 2: Adding -es incorrectly
Incorrect: The analysises were reviewed by the committee.
Correct: The analyses were reviewed by the committee.
Mistake 3: Confusing pronunciation
Many learners pronounce analyses like analysis with an extra s. The correct pronunciation is uh-NAL-uh-seez (three syllables, with a long eez sound at the end). Saying it wrong can make listeners think you are using the singular.
Mistake 4: Using analyzes as a plural noun
Analyzes is the third-person singular verb (he analyzes data). It is not a noun. Do not write: We reviewed the analyzes. Write: We reviewed the analyses.
Better Alternatives and When to Use Them
Sometimes you can avoid the confusion altogether by using a different word. This is especially helpful in informal writing or when you are unsure of the plural form.
| Instead of | Use | Context |
|---|---|---|
| analyses (plural) | studies, reviews, examinations | General writing, informal email |
| analysis (singular) | study, review, examination | Same as above |
| analyses (plural) | data analysis (as a collective) | When referring to the process, not individual items |
When to use it: If you are writing a quick email to a colleague and you are not sure about analyses, use studies or reviews. For example: I checked the three studies you sent. This is clear and avoids the grammar trap. However, in academic or formal writing, you should use analyses correctly.
Mini Practice: 4 Questions
Test yourself. Choose the correct word for each sentence.
- The researcher presented her (analysis / analyses) of the survey results.
- We compared the (analysis / analyses) from three different labs.
- How many (analysis / analyses) did you run before the deadline?
- His (analysis / analyses) was the most detailed of all.
Answers:
- analysis (singular, one researcher’s work)
- analyses (plural, from three labs)
- analyses (plural, asking about multiple runs)
- analysis (singular, one person’s work)
FAQ: Common Questions About the Plural of Analysis
1. Is analyses pronounced differently from analysis?
Yes. Analysis ends with a short iss sound (uh-NAL-uh-siss). Analyses ends with a long eez sound (uh-NAL-uh-seez). The difference is small but important for clear communication.
2. Can I use analysis for both singular and plural in informal speech?
Some native speakers do this in very casual conversation, but it is not correct. In writing, formal speech, or any professional setting, use the proper plural. If you are learning English, it is better to learn the correct form from the start.
3. What about the word analyze? Is it related?
Analyze is a verb (to examine something). Analysis is a noun (the examination itself). The plural of the noun is analyses. Do not confuse the verb form analyzes (he analyzes) with the noun plural analyses.
4. Are there other words like analysis that follow the same pattern?
Yes. Common ones include crisis (crises), thesis (theses), hypothesis (hypotheses), diagnosis (diagnoses), and parenthesis (parentheses). Learning this small group will help you avoid many mistakes in academic and professional English.
Final Tip for Real Writing
When you are writing an email, report, or essay, read your sentence aloud. If you say analysis but you mean more than one, change it to analyses. If you are unsure, replace the word with studies or reviews until you feel confident. With practice, the correct form will become automatic.
For more help with confusing plurals, visit our Confusing Plurals section. You can also check Common Plural Forms for other patterns, or see our FAQ for quick answers to common questions.
