🔍 Analysis vs Analyses: The Complete Guide to Using These Words Correctly

If you’ve ever paused while writing and wondered whether you should use analysis or analyses, you’re not alone.

These two words confuse millions of learners because they look similar, sound similar, and feel interchangeable. This guide removes the guesswork.

You’ll learn how each word works, why they’re different, and how to use them confidently in academic, professional, and everyday contexts.

You use the word analysis when you break something down to understand it. You use analyses when you refer to more than one of those breakdowns.

Seems simple, right? In reality, learners often mix the two because English borrows these words from Greek, and Greek plurals don’t follow normal English rules.

This article gives you a clear, practical explanation. You’ll see examples, memory tricks, pronunciation cues, and real academic usage. By the end you’ll know exactly when to use analysis and analyses, and you’ll never second-guess yourself again.

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Core Definitions

What “Analysis” Means (Singular)

Analysis refers to a single, detailed examination of something. You use it when you’re studying one issue, one problem, or one set of data.

Definition:
A systematic examination or detailed study of the elements or structure of something.

Examples:

• “The analysis of the survey revealed three major trends.”
• “My analysis shows the marketing budget needs revision.”

Where you’ll see it:

• Research papers
• Business reports
• Scientific studies
• Medical diagnostics
• Data interpretation

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What “Analyses” Means (Plural)

Analyses is the plural form of analysis. It refers to multiple examinations, studies, or evaluations.

Definition:
More than one detailed examination of something.

Examples:

• “The researcher conducted three separate analyses on the data.”
• “Their analyses contradict earlier findings.”

Where it appears:

• Meta-studies
• Comparative research
• Multi-test experiments
• Scientific reports involving several datasets

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Grammar Breakdown

Singular vs Plural: The Rule Behind the Change

English nouns ending in -is (like analysis) often turn into -es when plural:

Singular	Plural
analysis	analyses
crisis	crises
thesis	theses
hypothesis	hypotheses
diagnosis	diagnoses

This pattern comes from Greek and Latin grammar.

Why it matters:
Understanding this rule helps you instantly identify and use these words correctly without memorizing each one separately.

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Why “Analysises” Is Never Correct

Some learners try to make the plural by simply adding –es:

❌ analysises
✔ analyses

This error happens because English usually adds –s/es to make plurals. But Greek-origin words don’t follow this rule.

Quick test:
If the word ends in -is, check if it turns into -es in plural.

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Greek Origin of the Word “Analysis”

The word analysis comes from the Greek word:

ἀνάλυσις (análysis)
Meaning: “loosening, breaking up, releasing.”

The plural Greek form was ἀναλύσεις (analýseis).
English kept this plural structure, which is why we say analyses rather than analysises.

Why this matters:
Understanding the origin helps you remember the correct plural naturally, without memorizing rules.

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Special Plural Patterns in English

Some English words follow irregular plural rules because they come from Greek or Latin.

Here’s a helpful reference:

Pattern	Singular	Plural
-is → -es	analysis	analyses
-is → -es	basis	bases
-on → -a	phenomenon	phenomena
-um → -a	datum	data
-a → -ae	formula	formulae

How to use this table:
If you’re unsure about the plural of a scientific or academic word, check whether it appears in this pattern list.

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American vs British English Usage

Good news: analysis and analyses are used exactly the same in American and British English.

Meaning:

• No spelling differences
• No usage differences
• No pronunciation differences

The rules apply globally.

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Common Errors and How to Fix Them

Error 1: Using “analyses” as a singular

❌ “The analyses shows a trend.”
✔ “The analysis shows a trend.”

Fix:
If you’re referring to one study, use analysis (singular).

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Error 2: Using “analysis” to refer to multiple cases

❌ “We did several analysis on the experiment.”
✔ “We did several analyses on the experiment.”

Fix:
Use analyses when referring to more than one.

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Error 3: Pronouncing them the same

Many English learners pronounce both words incorrectly. Here’s the correct breakdown:

Word	Phonetic	Pronunciation
analysis	/əˈnæl.ə.sɪs/	uh-NAL-uh-sis
analyses (noun plural)	/əˈnæl.əˌsiːz/	uh-NAL-uh-seez
analyses (verb form of “to analyze”)	/əˈnæl.əˌsaɪz/	uh-NAL-uh-syz

Tip:
The plural ends with -seez.

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Practical Usage in Writing

Using “Analysis” in Academic Work

You use analysis when referring to a single, focused examination.

Examples:

• “Our analysis of the chemical structure shows instability.”
• “This analysis points to a major shift in consumer behavior.”

Use it in:

• Methods section
• Data interpretation
• Case studies
• Literature reviews

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Using “Analyses” in Research

You use analyses when comparing several sets of results or conducting repeated tests.

Examples:

• “Three separate analyses confirmed the hypothesis.”
• “Their statistical analyses improved accuracy.”

Common in:

• Meta-analysis
• Cross-sectional studies
• Longitudinal research
• Comparative experiments

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Why Proper Pluralization Matters in Research

Using the wrong form can confuse readers and distort your meaning.

Example:

• “The analysis were reviewed.” (unclear and grammatically wrong)
• “The analyses were reviewed.” (clear and correct)

Correct usage improves:

• Clarity
• Professionalism
• Academic credibility

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Tips for ESL Learners

Simple Memory Tricks

• If it ends with –is, plural likely ends with –es.
• If there’s more than one, add the long e sound: uh-NAL-uh-seez.

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Visual Cue

analysis (one study)
|
|--- analyses (many studies)

Imagine the singular splitting into several parts. That mental picture helps recall the plural.

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Pronunciation Trick

Say it in rhythm:

• Analysis → BA-da-da-da
• Analyses → BA-da-da-SEEZ

This helps train your speech pattern naturally.

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Quick Practice

Fill the blanks:

1. The _______ shows strong correlation.
2. Multiple _______ confirmed the same trend.
3. Their _______ disagrees with earlier research.

(Answers: analysis, analyses, analysis)

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FAQs

What is the difference between analysis and analyses?

Analysis is singular; analyses is plural. Use analysis for one study and analyses for multiple.

Is “analyses” a correct English word?

Yes. It’s the proper plural form of analysis and also the verb form of analyze (he analyses data).

How do you pronounce analysis and analyses?

Analysis → uh-NAL-uh-sis
Analyses (plural noun) → uh-NAL-uh-seez

Why isn’t the plural “analysises”?

Because it follows Greek plural rules: -is → -es.

Can I use “analysis” to refer to multiple studies?

No. Use analyses for multiple studies, tests, or evaluations.

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Final Thoughts

Choosing between analysis and analyses becomes easy once you understand the singular-plural pattern.

Remember that they follow Greek rules, not normal English ones. With practice, your writing will sound clearer, more professional, and more accurate.

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Conclusion

Use analysis when you’re talking about one detailed examination. Use analyses when you’re referring to more than one. Mastering this distinction improves your clarity and credibility, especially in academic and professional writing.