Analysis vs Analyses :📘 What’s the Real Difference?

You’ve written a report, double-checked your grammar, but suddenly you hesitate: is it analysis or analyses? This moment of uncertainty hits students, researchers, and professionals alike.

While these two terms look and sound alike, their usage depends entirely on grammar rules—and understanding those rules is crucial for clear, credible writing.

So, what’s the difference between analyses and analysis? Simply put: “analysis” is singular, and “analyses” is the plural form. But as with many elements of English, there’s more to the story.

Let’s break it down piece by piece.

Is it analysis or analyses? One is singular, the other plural—but there’s more to the rule than meets the eye. Learn how to use each form correctly with simple examples and expert grammar tips that stick.

Understanding the Basics: ‘Analysis’ Explained

Before diving into plural forms and grammar rules, it’s essential to understand what the word analysis means and how it’s used.

Definition of Analysis

Analysis refers to the process of examining something in detail in order to understand it better or draw conclusions.

Example Sentences:

“The professor provided a detailed analysis of the poem.”
“Market analysis is vital before launching any product.”

When to Use It

Use analysis when:

You’re talking about a single study, evaluation, or interpretation.
The subject is countable but singular in context.

The Plural Confusion: When to Use ‘Analyses’

Now here’s where it gets tricky for many: analyses is simply the plural of analysis—but it doesn’t follow the usual “add -s” rule. It has a special spelling due to its Greek origin (more on that later).

Definition of Analyses

Analyses means multiple studies, assessments, or examinations.

Example Sentences:

“The researchers performed several analyses on the data sets.”
“Comparing the analyses from different countries can reveal global trends.”

Quick Comparison Table

Term	Number	Usage Example
Analysis	Singular	“This analysis of the text is insightful.”
Analyses	Plural	“All three analyses show consistent results.”

Grammar Deep Dive: Singular and Plural Nouns in English

To truly grasp the difference between analyses vs analysis, it helps to understand how English handles pluralization, especially for irregular nouns.

Regular vs. Irregular Nouns

Most English nouns follow simple plural rules:

Dog → Dogs
Book → Books

But others, especially those of Greek or Latin origin, have unique forms:

Crisis → Crises
Thesis → Theses
Analysis → Analyses

These irregular plurals can be confusing because they change spelling entirely—often replacing -is with -es.

The Greek Origin of ‘Analysis’

Both analysis and analyses come from the Greek word analusis, which means “a breaking up” or “a loosening.”

Root Meaning

Ana- = Up or throughout
Lysis = Loosening or breaking

This root meaning is key to understanding the academic or scientific connotation: breaking a subject down to examine its parts.

Why It Matters

Since the original term is Greek, English preserves the Greek pluralization pattern—which is why we say analyses instead of analysises (which is incorrect).

Special Plural Forms in English

English is full of exceptions when it comes to plurals. Here are more examples of special plural forms, including analysis:

Singular	Plural	Language of Origin
Analysis	Analyses	Greek
Thesis	Theses	Greek
Crisis	Crises	Greek
Phenomenon	Phenomena	Greek
Bacterium	Bacteria	Latin
Curriculum	Curricula	Latin

These forms are especially common in academic and scientific writing, so getting them right is crucial.

American vs. British English: Spelling Variations

When it comes to analysis vs analyses, the meaning and spelling are the same in both American and British English. However, it’s still worth noting how pluralization can differ in other words across the two versions.

Common Variations

American English	British English	Example
Analyze	Analyse	“We need to analyze the data.”
Color	Colour	“What color is your notebook?”
Center	Centre	“Meet me at the shopping center.”

While analysis and analyses are consistent across dialects, remember that verbs like “analyze” change spelling depending on the region.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

It’s easy to misuse these two terms, especially when writing quickly. Here are a few errors to watch out for:

Mistake 1: Using “analysises”

Incorrect: “We conducted several analysises.”
Correct: “We conducted several analyses.”

Mistake 2: Mixing up subject-verb agreement

Incorrect: “The analyses shows a trend.”
Correct: “The analyses show a trend.”

Tip: Remember—analyses is plural, so it takes plural verbs.

Mistake 3: Misusing “analysis” for multiple studies

Incorrect: “This paper includes three analysis.”
Correct: “This paper includes three analyses.”

Practical Examples in Academic Writing

Academic writing is one of the most common places where you’ll encounter both analysis and analyses. Let’s look at some practical uses.

In a Research Abstract

“The analysis reveals key behavioral trends among participants.”
(Single study)

In a Comparative Literature Essay

“Multiple analyses of Shakespeare’s tragedies point to recurring themes of fate and despair.”
(Multiple interpretations)

In a Scientific Report

“Analyses from three independent laboratories confirmed the chemical composition.”
(Scientific plural usage)

Using ‘Analysis’ in Research Papers

When writing research papers, clarity is everything. Using the correct form of analysis can boost your writing credibility and ensure academic precision.

When to Use Analysis:

Describing one method or finding
Introducing a single figure or table
Referring to a unique interpretation

When to Use Analyses:

Comparing results from multiple studies
Discussing various methods or theories
Referring to several data sets or outcomes

Importance of Pluralization in Scholarly Work

Precision matters in academia. Using analysis when you mean analyses (or vice versa) can confuse your readers—or worse, make your writing appear careless.

Why It’s Crucial:

Maintains credibility in academic circles
Clarifies your meaning for peer reviewers
Strengthens your argument with clear terminology

Getting It Right: Tips for ESL Students

If English isn’t your first language, it can be especially hard to remember irregular plurals like analyses. Here are some practical tips:

Learning Hacks

Practice flashcards with irregular plurals.
Group words by origin: Greek, Latin, etc.
Use language tools like Grammarly or DeepL to catch pluralization errors.
Read academic papers to see real-world examples of correct usage.

Mnemonic Trick

“One analysis, many analyses—think of ‘thesis’ and ‘theses’ to remember the rule!”

❓ FAQs Section

1. What is the difference between analysis and analyses?

“Analysis” is the singular form, while “analyses” is its plural. Use “analysis” when referring to one study, and “analyses” for multiple studies or evaluations.

2. Why isn’t the plural of analysis just ‘analysises’?

Because “analysis” comes from Greek, its plural follows Greek rules—changing to “analyses” instead of using the regular “-s” ending.

3. Is ‘analyses’ pronounced the same as ‘analysis’?

No. “Analysis” is pronounced /əˈnæl.ə.sɪs/, while “analyses” is pronounced /əˈnæl.ə.siːz/. The ending sounds quite different.

4. Can I use ‘analysis’ to describe multiple findings?

Only if the findings are part of one overall evaluation. If they’re separate studies or tests, use “analyses” to be grammatically correct.

5. Do British and American English use different plural forms of analysis?

No. Both American and British English use “analysis” and “analyses” the same way. The pluralization rule is consistent across dialects.

6. What are some other words like analysis with irregular plurals?

Words like “thesis” (theses), “crisis” (crises), and “diagnosis” (diagnoses) follow similar Greek-based plural rules.

Final Thoughts: Analyses vs Analysis Made Simple

In summary:

Analysis is singular.
Analyses is plural.
Both are rooted in Greek.
Use them accurately to sound more credible, especially in formal writing.

Whether you’re crafting a thesis, writing a journal article, or submitting a business report, knowing when to use analyses vs analysis makes all the difference.

Still unsure about another grammar term or plural form? Drop a comment below and let us know—we’ll break it down in a future post!

Hannah Ross