What Is the Plural of Analysis?
The plural of analysis is analyses. This is not a simple case of adding an “s” or “es.” Instead, the word changes its ending from “-sis” to “-ses.” This rule applies to a small group of English nouns that come from Greek, such as crisis (plural: crises), thesis (plural: theses), and hypothesis (plural: hypotheses). When you need to talk about more than one analysis, you must use analyses.
Quick Answer
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Singular | analysis | We completed a thorough analysis of the sales data. |
| Plural | analyses | Both analyses showed the same trend. |
If you are ever unsure, remember: one analysis, two analyses. The pronunciation also changes. In the singular, the last syllable sounds like “sis” (uh-NAL-uh-sis). In the plural, it sounds like “seez” (uh-NAL-uh-seez).
Why the Spelling Changes
English borrowed analysis directly from Greek, where nouns ending in “-sis” form their plural by changing to “-ses.” This is not a rule you can guess from common English patterns. It is a fixed spelling change that you must memorize. Other words that follow this pattern include diagnosis (diagnoses), parenthesis (parentheses), and synthesis (syntheses).
In business writing, you will often see analysis used in reports, emails, and presentations. When you have multiple reports or multiple sets of data, you switch to analyses. For example, a manager might say, “Please send me the analyses for all three regions.”
Formal vs. Informal Use
Formal tone (reports, academic writing, official emails): Use analyses correctly every time. Incorrect plural forms can make your writing look careless. In a formal context, you might write: “The analyses conducted by the finance team confirm our initial projections.”
Informal tone (conversation, quick internal messages): People sometimes say “analysis” even when they mean more than one, but this is not grammatically correct. In spoken English, you might hear, “We did a few analysis on that,” but a careful speaker would say, “We did a few analyses on that.” In writing, always use the correct plural.
Email and Conversation Context
In a business email, you might write: “Attached are the analyses for Q1 and Q2.” This is clear and professional. In a conversation, you could say: “I have the analyses ready. Do you want to review them together?” The word analyses works naturally in both settings, but you must pronounce it correctly to avoid confusion.
One common nuance: analysis can also refer to a single process of examining data, while analyses can refer to multiple processes or multiple sets of results. For example, “The analysis of customer feedback took two days” (one process). “The analyses of customer feedback from different channels gave us different insights” (multiple processes).
Comparison Table: Analysis vs. Analyses
| Feature | Analysis (Singular) | Analyses (Plural) |
|---|---|---|
| Number | One | More than one |
| Pronunciation | uh-NAL-uh-sis | uh-NAL-uh-seez |
| Common in | Reports, emails, conversations | Reports, presentations, academic papers |
| Example | This analysis is complete. | These analyses are complete. |
| Verb agreement | Singular verb (e.g., is) | Plural verb (e.g., are) |
Natural Examples
Here are examples you might actually use in business or study situations:
- Email to a colleague: “I have finished the analyses for the market research project. Let me know when you can review them.”
- Report summary: “The analyses of customer satisfaction data reveal a clear preference for faster delivery.”
- Team meeting: “We need to compare the analyses from last month and this month to see if our changes worked.”
- Academic context: “The student presented three analyses of the same poem, each focusing on a different theme.”
- Conversation: “I did two analyses on the budget, and both show we need to cut costs.”
Common Mistakes
Even native speakers sometimes make errors with this word. Here are the most frequent mistakes and how to avoid them:
- Mistake: Using “analysises” as the plural. Correct: analyses. There is no “e” before the “s” in the middle.
- Mistake: Using “analysises” (adding an extra syllable). Correct: analyses. The word has only four syllables: a-nal-y-ses.
- Mistake: Using “analysis” for both singular and plural. Correct: Use analysis for one, analyses for more than one. Example: “We need one more analysis” vs. “We need several analyses.”
- Mistake: Mispronouncing the plural as “uh-NAL-uh-sis” instead of “uh-NAL-uh-seez.” This can confuse listeners.
- Mistake: Using a singular verb with analyses. Correct: “The analyses are ready,” not “The analyses is ready.”
Better Alternatives and When to Use Them
Sometimes you may want to avoid the word analyses altogether, especially if you think your reader might be confused. Here are some alternatives and the contexts where they work well:
- “Studies” – Use when referring to multiple research projects. Example: “The studies on consumer behavior were conclusive.”
- “Reviews” – Use when talking about multiple examinations of data or documents. Example: “We completed the reviews of all contracts.”
- “Assessments” – Use in evaluation contexts. Example: “The risk assessments for each project are due Friday.”
- “Evaluations” – Use for performance or quality checks. Example: “The evaluations of the new software were positive.”
- “Examinations” – Use in formal or academic settings. Example: “The examinations of the samples revealed contamination.”
When you use analyses itself, it is best in formal writing, reports, and technical discussions. In casual conversation, you might still use it, but you can also say “a few analyses” or “multiple analyses” to make the plural clear.
Mini Practice: Test Yourself
Choose the correct form for each sentence. Answers are below.
- The (analysis / analyses) of the quarterly data shows a decline in sales.
- We need to review all three (analysis / analyses) before the meeting.
- Her (analysis / analyses) of the problem was thorough and helpful.
- Both (analysis / analyses) point to the same conclusion.
Answers:
- analysis (singular, one data set)
- analyses (plural, three of them)
- analysis (singular, one person’s work)
- analyses (plural, two of them)
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is “analyses” the only correct plural of “analysis”?
Yes. There is no other accepted plural form. “Analysises” and “analysises” are not correct English words.
2. How do you pronounce “analyses”?
In the plural, the last syllable sounds like “seez.” The full pronunciation is uh-NAL-uh-seez. In the singular, it is uh-NAL-uh-sis.
3. Can I use “analysis” as a plural in informal writing?
You might see this in very casual messages, but it is not grammatically correct. In any kind of professional or academic writing, use “analyses” for the plural.
4. What other words follow the same pattern?
Common examples include crisis (crises), thesis (theses), hypothesis (hypotheses), diagnosis (diagnoses), parenthesis (parentheses), and synthesis (syntheses). All change “-sis” to “-ses.”
Final Tip for Business Writers
When you write a report or email, double-check your use of analysis and analyses. A simple mistake can make your work look less polished. If you are unsure, read the sentence aloud. If it sounds like you are saying “uh-NAL-uh-sis” for a plural, you are likely using the wrong form. Practice saying “analyses” (uh-NAL-uh-seez) a few times until it feels natural. With a little attention, you will master this common plural form.
For more help with tricky plurals, visit our Common Plural Forms section. You can also check our Confusing Plurals guide for other words that are easy to mix up. If you have questions about singular or plural verb agreement, see our Singular or Plural Checks page. For a full list of spelling rules, explore Plural Spelling Rules. And if you need more help, visit our FAQ page.
