If you have ever written in any type of academic fields, such as with STEM writing or quantitative research, you can likely come across the word analysis. When used singularly, analysis is fairly simple, however, issues can arise when you try to use it plurally.
Don’t worry if you aren’t sure what the plural form of analysis is; we are here to help!
How do you Make Analysis Plural?
Most words in English follow the “s rule,” which dictates that you can make a word plural by adding an s to the end. Unfortunately, the analysis doesn’t follow this easy rule. For extra clarification, some examples of words that follow the s rule include:
- Cars
- Stars
- Books
- Shirts
- Trees
In contrast to that simple plurality, analysis follows a different set of rules. Ultimately, the plural form of analysis is analyses.
To put it verbally, you change the “i” into an “e,” which signals its plurality.
When Should You Use Analysis?
Since analysis is the true singular form of the word, you should use it when you are referring to a single examination, report, study, etc. As a singular noun, analysis should be used to refer to singular subjects. For instance:
There are good reasons to be supporting bingo, there are good reasons to be encouraging our pub sector to be stronger – that’s the analysis behind those measures”. – The Guardian.
Amnesty says the satellite image analysis adds to a growing body of evidence of potential war crimes in the Syria conflict. – The Guardian.
When Should You Use Analyses?
Likewise, you should the plural form, analyses when you are referring to multiple examinations, reports, or studies. Additionally, analyses can also be used as a singular conjugation of “analyze” when used in the third person. For example:
But missing from mainstream analyses is the extent to which the growth that we’ve had since the Second World War, astronomical levels of growth, have been correlated with two things. – The Guardian.
Snacks The NSA’s Social Network Analyses Collaboration Knowledge Services, which analyses social hierarchies through text messages. – The Guardian.
British English vs. American English: Analyze and Analyse
Another interesting thing that you may be aware of is the spelling variants between British and American English.
Most English speakers are accustomed to analyze. In contrast, most British audiences are accustomed to the spelling, analyse.
Thus, you are likely to see the American spelling in places like the United States, and you are likely to see the British Spelling in places like Great Britain, Australia, India, and Canada.
How to Remember the Difference Between Analysis and Analyses
Are you still a little nervous about remembering the difference between these two terms? Don’t worry, here is a simple trick you can use in your writing.
One great tool to remember the difference is that analysis ends in letters that are similar to the word singular. Additionally, analyses ends with letters that are similar to the first letters in the word several.
Conclusion
In the end, remembering the difference between analysis and analyses can be incredibly difficult. Analysis is the singular form, while analyses is the plural form.
When using the singular noun, there are also some spelling differences that you should be aware of. For most American audiences, the preferred spelling is analyze. In contrast, the Average British audience will be used to the spelling, analyse.
There are a few mnemonic devices to help you remember, such as looking at the last few letters of both words.
