Common Mistakes with the Plural of Analysis
If you write or speak in a professional or academic setting, you have likely used the word analysis and wondered about its plural form. The correct plural of analysis is analyses (pronounced uh-NAL-uh-seez). The most common mistake is writing analysises or analysises, which are not standard English. Another frequent error is using analysis as both singular and plural. This guide will help you avoid these pitfalls so your business writing, emails, and reports sound polished and correct.
Quick Answer: What Is the Plural of Analysis?
The plural of analysis is analyses. This follows the rule for many words ending in -sis that come from Greek, such as crisis (plural crises) and thesis (plural theses). Do not add -es or change the ending to -ises. Simply change the -is to -es.
- Singular: analysis
- Plural: analyses
Why This Mistake Happens
Many English learners (and even native speakers) treat analysis like a regular noun and try to add -es to make it plural. Because analysis ends in -is, it looks like it should follow the same pattern as bus (buses) or class (classes). However, analysis belongs to a special group of words that change the -is to -es. This is a common trap in business writing, especially in reports and data presentations.
Formal vs. Informal Tone and Context
The word analyses is used in both formal and informal contexts, but it is most common in formal writing such as research papers, business reports, and professional emails. In casual conversation, people sometimes say analysis for both singular and plural, but this is not grammatically correct. In a professional email or a meeting, using the correct plural form shows attention to detail.
- Formal (written report): “The market analyses indicate a shift in consumer behavior.”
- Informal (conversation): “We did a few analyses on the data, and the results are clear.”
In very casual speech, you might hear someone say, “We ran a couple of analysis,” but this is a mistake. Stick with analyses for clarity and correctness.
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 usage | “This analysis is complete.” | “These analyses are thorough.” |
| Verb agreement | “The analysis shows…” | “The analyses show…” |
| Typical context | One report, one study | Multiple reports, multiple studies |
Natural Examples in Business and Everyday Context
Here are examples that show how analysis and analyses are used in real situations.
Email Context
- Singular: “Please review the attached analysis of our quarterly sales.”
- Plural: “I have attached the analyses for all three regions.”
Meeting Context
- Singular: “The analysis we completed yesterday is ready for discussion.”
- Plural: “We need to compare the analyses from the last two quarters.”
Report Writing
- Singular: “This analysis focuses on customer retention.”
- Plural: “The following analyses cover customer retention, acquisition, and satisfaction.”
Conversation
- Singular: “I did a quick analysis of the numbers.”
- Plural: “We ran several analyses before making a decision.”
Common Mistakes with the Plural of Analysis
Here are the most frequent errors and how to fix them.
Mistake 1: Using “Analysises” or “Analysises”
This is the most common error. People add an extra -es or -ises because it sounds natural.
- Incorrect: “We completed three analysises for the project.”
- Correct: “We completed three analyses for the project.”
Mistake 2: Using “Analysis” as Both Singular and Plural
Some writers use analysis for multiple items to avoid the unfamiliar plural form.
- Incorrect: “The analysis from each department are ready.”
- Correct: “The analyses from each department are ready.”
Mistake 3: Confusing “Analysis” with “Analyze”
Analyze is a verb, and its plural form is not relevant. The noun analysis is what changes.
- Incorrect: “We need to do more analyze.”
- Correct: “We need to do more analyses.”
Mistake 4: Mispronouncing the Plural
The singular ends with -sis (like sis), while the plural ends with -sees (like sees).
- Singular pronunciation: uh-NAL-uh-sis
- Plural pronunciation: uh-NAL-uh-seez
Better Alternatives and When to Use Them
Sometimes you may want to avoid the plural form analyses if you think your reader might find it confusing. Here are some alternatives that work in business writing.
| Instead of | Try this alternative | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| “We did three analyses.” | “We did three separate studies.” | When you want to be more specific. |
| “The analyses show…” | “The data from our analyses show…” | To add clarity in a report. |
| “These analyses are complete.” | “These reviews are complete.” | In casual conversation or quick updates. |
| “We need more analyses.” | “We need more research.” | When the focus is on gathering information. |
Use analyses when you want to be precise and professional. Use alternatives when you are writing for a general audience or in a less formal setting.
Nuance: When to Use “Analysis” Even When Talking About Multiple Items
There is one situation where you might use analysis even when referring to more than one item. If you are talking about a single process that involves multiple data points, you can keep it singular. For example:
- “The analysis of the survey results took two weeks.” (Even if the survey had many questions, the analysis is one process.)
But if you are referring to separate, distinct analyses (e.g., one for each department), use the plural form.
Mini Practice Section
Test your understanding with these four questions. Choose the correct form.
- The ______ of the three reports are due on Friday.
a) analysis
b) analysesAnswer: b) analyses (because there are three reports)
- We completed a thorough ______ of the market trends.
a) analysis
b) analysesAnswer: a) analysis (singular, one study)
- How many ______ did the team run last month?
a) analysis
b) analysesAnswer: b) analyses (asking about multiple)
- This ______ is the most detailed we have ever done.
a) analysis
b) analysesAnswer: a) analysis (singular, one specific study)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Is “analyses” pronounced differently from “analysis”?
Yes. The singular analysis ends with a sound like sis (rhymes with miss). The plural analyses ends with a sound like sees (rhymes with knees). Practice saying them aloud: analysis (uh-NAL-uh-sis) and analyses (uh-NAL-uh-seez).
2. Can I use “analysis” for multiple items in informal writing?
While some people do this in casual conversation, it is not grammatically correct. In any kind of business writing, email, or report, use analyses for the plural. It shows you know the correct form.
3. What about the word “analyze”? Does it have a plural?
Analyze is a verb, so it does not have a plural form. You can say “I analyze,” “we analyze,” or “they analyze.” The noun analysis is the one that changes to analyses.
4. Are there other words like “analysis” that follow the same pattern?
Yes. Many words ending in -sis change to -ses in the plural. Common examples include crisis (crises), thesis (theses), hypothesis (hypotheses), diagnosis (diagnoses), and parenthesis (parentheses). Learning this pattern will help you with all of them.
Final Tip for Business Writers
When you are editing a report or email, look for the word analysis. If you are talking about more than one, change it to analyses. This small correction makes your writing more accurate and professional. For more help with tricky plural forms, visit our Confusing Plurals section or check out Plural Spelling Rules for other patterns. If you have questions, feel free to contact us or read our FAQ for more answers.
