Is Analysis Singular or Plural?
The word analysis is singular. It refers to a single detailed examination of something. The plural form is analyses (pronounced uh-nal-uh-seez). This is a common point of confusion because the two words look and sound similar, but they follow a specific pattern from Greek-derived nouns. If you are talking about one study or breakdown, use analysis. If you are talking about multiple studies or breakdowns, use analyses.
Quick Answer
| Form | Number | Example |
|---|---|---|
| analysis | Singular | This analysis shows a clear trend. |
| analyses | Plural | Several analyses confirm the result. |
Remember: one analysis, two (or more) analyses.
Why This Confusion Happens
Many English learners (and even native speakers) mix up analysis and analyses because the plural ending -es is not as obvious as adding a simple -s. The word comes from Greek, where nouns ending in -sis change to -ses in the plural. Other examples include crisis (crises), thesis (theses), and hypothesis (hypotheses). Once you learn this pattern, it becomes much easier to spot the correct form.
Formal vs. Informal Tone
In formal writing, such as academic papers, business reports, or professional emails, you must use the correct singular or plural form. Using analysis when you mean analyses (or vice versa) can confuse your reader and make your writing look careless.
- Formal (academic or business): “The analysis of the data took two weeks.” (singular) / “The analyses of the three experiments were published.” (plural)
- Informal (conversation or casual email): “I did an analysis of the numbers.” (singular) / “We ran a few analyses on the system.” (plural)
In everyday conversation, people sometimes say “analysis” even when they mean multiple, but this is not correct in careful English. Stick to the proper form to sound clear and educated.
Comparison Table: Analysis vs. Analyses
| Feature | Analysis (Singular) | Analyses (Plural) |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | One detailed examination | Two or more detailed examinations |
| Pronunciation | uh-nal-uh-sis | uh-nal-uh-seez |
| Common contexts | Report, essay, single study | Research papers, multiple studies, comparisons |
| Example sentence | The analysis was thorough. | The analyses were thorough. |
| Verb agreement | Analysis is / shows | Analyses are / show |
Natural Examples
Here are real-world sentences that show how analysis and analyses are used in different situations.
- Email (singular): “Please find attached my analysis of the quarterly sales figures.”
- Email (plural): “I have attached the analyses for all four regions.”
- Conversation (singular): “I did a quick analysis of the problem, and I think we need more data.”
- Conversation (plural): “We did several analyses before we found the error.”
- Academic writing (singular): “This analysis focuses on the effects of climate change on coastal areas.”
- Academic writing (plural): “Previous analyses have not considered this variable.”
Common Mistakes
Even experienced writers make errors with these words. Here are the most frequent mistakes and how to fix them.
- Mistake: “I have two analysis to complete.”
Correction: “I have two analyses to complete.” (Use the plural form after a number greater than one.) - Mistake: “The analyses shows a problem.”
Correction: “The analyses show a problem.” (Plural subject needs a plural verb.) - Mistake: “This analyses is incorrect.”
Correction: “This analysis is incorrect.” (Use singular form with singular determiner “this”.) - Mistake: “The data needs further analysis.” (This is actually correct if you mean one more examination. But if you mean multiple, say “analyses”.)
Better Alternatives and When to Use Them
Sometimes you can replace analysis or analyses with a simpler word, especially in informal contexts. Here are some options.
- Study – Good for informal or general contexts. “I did a study of the results.” (singular) / “We did several studies.” (plural)
- Review – Useful when you are looking over something. “A quick review of the data shows…” (singular) / “We conducted reviews of each department.” (plural)
- Examination – More formal but clear. “The examination took three hours.” (singular) / “The examinations were thorough.” (plural)
- Check – Very informal. “I did a check on the numbers.” (singular) / “We ran checks on all the files.” (plural)
Use analysis when you want to sound precise and professional, especially in academic or business writing. Use simpler alternatives in casual conversation or quick emails where exact terminology is less important.
Mini Practice: Test Yourself
Choose the correct form (analysis or analyses) for each sentence. Answers are below.
- The __________ of the survey data was completed yesterday.
- Several __________ have been published on this topic.
- We need one more __________ before we make a decision.
- All the __________ point to the same conclusion.
Answers:
- analysis (singular verb “was”)
- analyses (plural “several”)
- analysis (singular “one more”)
- analyses (plural “all the”)
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is “analysis” ever plural?
No. Analysis is always singular. The plural form is analyses. Never write “analysises” or “analysises” – those are incorrect.
2. How do I pronounce “analyses”?
The plural analyses is pronounced uh-nal-uh-seez. The final sound is like “seas” or “please”. The singular analysis ends with a soft “sis” sound.
3. Can I use “analysis” for multiple things if I mean a single examination of multiple things?
Yes. If you are doing one examination that covers many items, use the singular. For example: “This analysis includes data from all five countries.” Here, one analysis covers many countries, so singular is correct.
4. What about “analyses” in a sentence with a singular verb?
That is a grammar error. Analyses is plural, so it must take a plural verb. For example: “The analyses are complete.” (Not “is complete”.)
Final Tip
When you are writing, pause for a moment and ask yourself: Am I talking about one examination or more than one? If the answer is one, use analysis. If the answer is two or more, use analyses. This simple check will help you avoid the most common mistake with these words. For more help with similar tricky plurals, explore our guides in the Singular or Plural Checks category. If you have questions about how we create our content, please see our Editorial Policy or visit our FAQ page.
