Analysis vs Analyses 🧪📚 – What’s the Real Difference? Find Out Here!

It’s easy to get tripped up by words that look similar—especially when the only difference is a single letter. “Analyses” vs “Analysis” is one of those common confusion points in both academic and everyday writing.

One is singular, the other is plural—but there’s more to the story.

This guide breaks it all down in plain English, with examples, tips, and expert insights to help you use the right word every time.

Analysis is the singular form meaning one in-depth examination, while analyses is the plural, referring to multiple studies or evaluations. Their usage depends on how many items are being reviewed—one analysis or several analyses.

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Understanding the Basics: ‘Analysis’ Explained

Let’s start with the foundation.

Analysis is a singular noun that refers to a detailed examination of something, often involving breaking it into parts to understand it better.

Examples:

• “Her analysis of the data was insightful.”
• “The company hired experts to conduct an environmental impact analysis.”

In each case, we’re talking about one in-depth study or evaluation. Whether it’s text, data, behavior, or systems, analysis means digging deep to uncover meaning or patterns.

Pronunciation tip: /ə-ˈna-lə-səs/ — emphasis on the second syllable.

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The Plural Confusion: When to Use ‘Analyses’

Here’s where the confusion starts.

Analyses is the plural of analysis. When you’re referring to more than one instance of analysis, this is the correct form.

Examples:

• “Multiple analyses were conducted to confirm the results.”
• “The student compared various literary analyses of the novel.”

It may look odd at first glance, but it follows a Greek-derived pluralization pattern (we’ll get to that soon).

Pronunciation tip: /ə-ˈna-lə-ˌsēz/ — ends with a long “z” sound.

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Grammar Deep Dive: Singular and Plural Nouns in English

English loves to break its own rules.

Most English nouns form their plurals by simply adding -s or -es (cat → cats, box → boxes). But when a word is borrowed from another language, especially Latin or Greek, the plural rules often follow the original language’s form.

Analysis falls into this category.
Here’s a quick grammar check:

Word	Singular	Plural
Crisis	Crisis	Crises
Thesis	Thesis	Theses
Diagnosis	Diagnosis	Diagnoses
Analysis	Analysis	Analyses

These endings (-is to -es) are especially common in scientific, academic, and technical writing.

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The Greek Origin of ‘Analysis’

Both “analysis” and “analyses” trace back to Ancient Greek.

• The root word is ἀνάλυσις (analysis), which means “a breaking up” or “loosening.”
• It combines ana- (up) and lysis (a loosening).

That explains why the plural form doesn’t just add an “s.” It’s a legacy from Greek grammar, preserved in English due to its use in fields like philosophy, medicine, and science.

This historical influence makes analyses the correct and formal plural—not “analysises.”

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Special Plural Forms in English

English includes a handful of other Greek-derived words that pluralize like “analysis.” It’s worth knowing them if you write in academic or technical fields.

Other examples:

Singular	Plural
Hypothesis	Hypotheses
Axis	Axes
Basis	Bases
Parenthesis	Parentheses

Pro tip: When in doubt, don’t rely on spell-check alone. Autocorrect might not catch a wrong plural if the word still technically exists in another form.

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American vs. British English: Spelling Variations

While American and British English often vary in spelling (think “color” vs. “colour”), the difference between analysis and analyses remains the same on both sides of the Atlantic.

• In both dialects:
  • Analysis = singular
  • Analyses = plural

No regional variation exists here. So whether you’re writing for an American journal or a British newspaper, the rule holds true.

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Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Let’s break down the slip-ups that happen most often—and how to dodge them.

Mistake 1: Using “analyses” as a singular

❌ “Her analyses of the problem is very helpful.”
✅ “Her analysis of the problem is very helpful.”

Mistake 2: Using “analysis” for multiple cases

❌ “The study included several analysis of the issue.”
✅ “The study included several analyses of the issue.”

Mistake 3: Pronouncing both words the same

• Analysis ends with a soft -sis sound.
• Analyses ends with a -sees sound.

Fixes:

• Say the sentence out loud. Does it refer to one or multiple evaluations?
• Match your verb form correctly (e.g., “is” vs “are”).

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Practical Examples in Academic Writing

This word pair appears frequently in academic contexts, especially in:

• Literature reviews
• Research methodology
• Data interpretation
• Case studies

Example Sentences from Academic Writing:

• “This chapter presents an analysis of the key themes in postmodern fiction.”
• “Previous analyses by Smith (2018) support this theoretical framework.”
• “Quantitative and qualitative analyses were employed for comprehensive results.”

These contexts demand precision, so using the wrong form can affect your credibility.

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Using ‘Analysis’ in Research Papers

In scholarly writing, clarity is everything. Misusing singular and plural forms can weaken your argument—or confuse your readers.

Where you’ll see “analysis”:

• In methods sections to explain how data is examined.
• In results sections when presenting one set of findings.
• In discussion sections where a single perspective is explored.

Example:

“Our analysis of survey data shows a significant trend among first-time buyers.”

Make sure you pair the right article or determiner:

• “An analysis” (singular)
• “Several analyses” (plural)

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Importance of Pluralization in Scholarly Work

In formal research, getting the grammar right isn’t just about style—it’s about accuracy.

If your work involves:

• Comparing multiple studies
• Conducting tests on various samples
• Discussing findings from different models

…then “analyses” will be your go-to form.

Proper pluralization shows:

• You understand your subject deeply.
• You respect academic norms.
• You can communicate ideas clearly and precisely.

It might seem small, but it contributes to the overall credibility of your writing.

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Getting It Right: Tips for ESL Students

For English learners, this word pair can be particularly tricky. But don’t worry—here are smart strategies to remember which one to use.

Simple Memory Tricks:

• Singular = Ends in -sis → one analysis
• Plural = Ends in -ses → many analyses

Visual Cue:

Think of the letter “e” in analyses as extra evidence—multiple studies, multiple evaluations.

Grammar Tip:

Use is with analysis
Use are with analyses

Examples:

• “This analysis is compelling.”
• “These analyses are consistent with past research.”

Practice Makes Perfect:

Try writing your own sentences with both words. Then swap them and read them aloud—you’ll quickly hear when something sounds off.

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❓ 6 FAQs with Answers

What is the difference between analysis and analyses?

Analysis refers to a single, detailed examination, while analyses is the plural form, used when discussing multiple examinations or evaluations.

Is ‘analyses’ a correct word in English?

Yes, analyses is the grammatically correct plural of analysis, commonly used in academic, scientific, and research writing.

How do you pronounce ‘analysis’ and ‘analyses’?

• Analysis: /ə-ˈna-lə-səs/
• Analyses: /ə-ˈna-lə-ˌsēz/
  They are pronounced differently and should not be confused.

Why is the plural of ‘analysis’ not ‘analysises’?

Because analysis comes from Greek, its plural follows Greek grammar rules, changing -is to -es, resulting in analyses.

Can I use ‘analysis’ to refer to multiple studies?

No, if you’re referring to more than one study, the correct word is analyses. Use analysis only when speaking of a single instance.

Are there other words that change like analysis and analyses?

Yes! Similar examples include:

• Thesis → Theses
• Diagnosis → Diagnoses
• Hypothesis → Hypotheses

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Final Thoughts

So, what’s the difference between analyses and analysis?
In a nutshell:

• Analysis is singular: one in-depth examination.
• Analyses is plural: more than one.

They’re not interchangeable—and using the wrong one can change the meaning of your sentence or muddle your message. Whether you’re an ESL student, a university researcher, or just someone looking to level up their grammar, mastering the difference is a small step with a big payoff.

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Want more grammar deep-dives like this? Let us know in the comments, or explore more on commonly confused words like “datum vs. data” or “phenomenon vs. phenomena”.