Analyses or Analysis can look like a tiny spelling puzzle, but this pair causes surprisingly big grammar headaches. If you have ever wondered whether to write “one analyses,” “several analysis,” or “the data analyses the results,” you are not alone. The confusion comes from more than one grammatical difference. Analysis is the singular noun, while analyses is its plural form. To make things even more interesting, analyses can also function as a verb in British English. Meanwhile, American English typically uses analyzes. So, before these words turn your sentence into a grammatical mystery, let’s break down their meanings, differences, pronunciation and correct usage with clear examples.
Analysis or Analyses Quick Answer
The simplest rule for analysis or analyses is:
Analysis means one examination. Analyses means two or more examinations.
Consider these examples:
- “The analysis of the survey revealed three major trends.”
- “The researchers conducted several analyses of the survey data.”
- “The financial analysis identified a problem.”
- “The financial team completed three separate analyses.”
The first sentence refers to one examination of the survey. The second refers to several separate examinations.
Analysis or Analyses at a Glance
| Word | Number | Meaning | Example |
| analysis | Singular | One examination or study | “The analysis was detailed.” |
| analyses | Plural | Two or more examinations or studies | “The analyses were detailed.” |
If you’re asking what is the plural of analysis, the answer is analyses.
If you’re wondering is analysis singular or plural, it is singular.
Likewise, if you’re asking is analyses the plural of analysis, the answer is yes.
One spelling mistake appears often in this word family: analysises. That form is not the standard English plural. The correct spelling is analyses.
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Analysis Meaning and Definition
The analysis meaning centers on careful examination. An analysis involves studying something closely to understand its parts, characteristics, causes, patterns or significance.
In everyday language, you might think of analysis as taking something apart mentally so you can understand how it works.
For example, suppose a business notices that sales have fallen. The sales figures tell the company what happened. An analysis goes further by examining why sales declined.
The company might examine:
- customer behavior
- product prices
- advertising campaigns
- seasonal trends
- website traffic
- competitor activity
- customer reviews
After examining those factors, the company can identify patterns and draw conclusions.
That is why analysis often involves more than simply collecting information. It involves examining information and interpreting what it means.
Analysis as a Noun
Analysis is a noun. It can refer to one specific examination or to the general process of examining something.
For example:
“The researcher conducted an analysis of the survey.”
Here, the sentence refers to one particular examination.
Now consider:
“Further analysis is necessary.”
In this sentence, analysis refers more generally to the process of examining the information.
This distinction matters because English sometimes uses nouns as countable or uncountable terms depending on context. However, when you clearly refer to one particular examination, phrases such as an analysis or one analysis make the singular meaning obvious.
Analysis in Research and Academia
Research relies heavily on analysis. Collecting data alone doesn’t explain what the data means. Researchers need to examine the information, identify patterns, compare results and draw conclusions.
Common forms include:
- data analysis
- statistical analysis
- qualitative analysis
- quantitative analysis
- literary analysis
- textual analysis
- comparative analysis
- thematic analysis
- scientific analysis
For example:
“The analysis revealed a significant relationship between the two variables.”
The sentence describes one particular examination of the research data.
However, researchers often use several methods or examine different groups. In that case, the plural becomes appropriate:
“The researchers conducted several analyses to test the findings.”
The number of separate examinations determines whether you need analysis or analyses.
Analysis in Business
Businesses use analysis to make sense of financial information, customer behavior, market conditions and operational performance.
You may encounter terms such as:
- market analysis
- financial analysis
- competitor analysis
- risk analysis
- sales analysis
- customer analysis
- performance analysis
- cost-benefit analysis
For example:
“The market analysis identified strong demand for the new product.”
If a company examines several markets separately, the plural form works better:
“The company conducted market analyses for North America, Europe and Asia.”
The subject hasn’t changed. The number of separate examinations has.
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Analyses Meaning and Definition
The analyses meaning becomes clear when you start with the singular noun.
Analyses is the standard plural form of analysis when the word functions as a noun.
Therefore, analyses definition can be stated simply:
Analyses refers to two or more detailed examinations, studies, evaluations or interpretations.
For example:
- “The researchers completed several analyses.”
- “The analyses produced similar results.”
- “The report contains separate analyses of the two markets.”
- “Several analyses supported the same conclusion.”
Because noun analyses is plural, it normally takes plural verbs.
Compare these sentences:
“The analysis was useful.”
“The analyses were useful.”
The difference is small in spelling, but it affects the entire grammatical structure of the sentence.
What Is the Plural of Analysis?
The plural of analysis is analyses.
If you’re asking what is the plural form of analysis, remember this spelling:
analysis → analyses
The word doesn’t form its plural by simply adding s.
That is why this is incorrect:
analysis → analysises
And this is correct:
analysis → analyses
English contains several words with a similar pattern because many of them entered English from Greek.
| Singular | Plural |
| analysis | analyses |
| thesis | theses |
| hypothesis | hypotheses |
| diagnosis | diagnoses |
| crisis | crises |
You don’t need to memorize the historical grammar behind every word. Instead, remember the practical pattern.
Analysis changes from -is to -es in the plural.
Why Is the Plural of Analysis Analyses?
The word analysis ultimately comes from Greek through Latin. Its original sense involved breaking something apart so its individual parts could be examined.
English retained the traditional plural pattern associated with this family of Greek-derived words.
That history explains why analyses looks different from a regular English plural such as books or reports.
More importantly, it explains why analysises isn’t the standard form.
Analysis Singular or Plural?
Analysis is singular.
If you’re asking is analysis a singular noun, yes.
You can use analysis with singular words and determiners such as:
- one analysis
- an analysis
- this analysis
- that analysis
- each analysis
- another analysis
For example:
“One analysis was enough to identify the main problem.”
“An analysis of the results revealed an unexpected pattern.”
“This analysis focuses on customer behavior.”
The word one provides an especially clear clue. If you say one, the noun that follows must take the singular form.
One Analysis or One Analyses?
The correct expression is:
one analysis
Not:
one analyses
The same principle applies to an analysis.
An Analysis or an Analyses?
The correct phrase is:
an analysis
Not:
an analyses
The article an introduces a singular noun.
Analyses Singular or Plural?
When analyses functions as a noun, it is plural.
Therefore, if you’re asking is analyses singular or plural, the answer is plural when it means more than one examination.
You can use it with:
- two analyses
- several analyses
- many analyses
- multiple analyses
- these analyses
- those analyses
- various analyses
For example:
“Two analyses reached the same conclusion.”
“Several analyses produced similar results.”
“These analyses examine different aspects of the problem.”
Is Analyses a Word?
Yes. Analyses is a standard English word.
It is the plural of analysis. However, the word has another grammatical use in British English, which explains some of the confusion surrounding it.
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Analyses or Analyzes The Important Verb Difference
The analyses or analyzes distinction deserves special attention because these words can represent the same action in different varieties of English.
When analyses functions as a noun, it is the plural of analysis.
“The researchers conducted several analyses.”
Here, analyses refers to several examinations.
In British English, however, analyses can also function as a verb.
“She analyses the results carefully.”
In this sentence, analyses means examines. It is the third-person singular present-tense form of analyse.
American English uses analyzes:
“She analyzes the results carefully.”
Consequently, context tells you whether analyses functions as a noun or a verb.
Analyze or Analyses
The analyze or analyses comparison becomes much easier when you identify the word’s grammatical role.
| Word | Variety | Part of Speech | Example |
| analyze | American English | Verb | “They analyze the data.” |
| analyzes | American English | Verb | “She analyzes the data.” |
| analyse | British English | Verb | “They analyse the data.” |
| analyses | British English | Verb | “She analyses the data.” |
| analysis | Both | Singular noun | “The analysis was useful.” |
| analyses | Both | Plural noun | “The analyses were useful.” |
This distinction is especially useful when reading academic papers, research reports or articles from different English-speaking countries.
For example:
“The analyses were published.”
Here, analyses is a plural noun.
But:
“She analyses the results.”
Here, analyses is a British English verb.
The surrounding words make the grammatical role clear.
Analyse or Analyses
Analyse is the base verb in British English.
Analyses can serve as its third-person singular form.
Compare:
- “They analyse the evidence.”
- “She analyses the evidence.”
The first sentence uses the base verb analyse because the subject is they.
The second uses analyses because the subject is she.
American English follows a different spelling pattern:
- “They analyze the evidence.”
- “She analyzes the evidence.”
So, analyse or analyses isn’t a singular-versus-plural noun comparison. Instead, it can be a comparison between two forms of a British English verb.
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Analyse or Analyze British and American English
The analyse or analyze difference comes down to regional spelling.
British English generally uses:
- analyse
- analyses
- analysed
- analysing
American English generally uses:
- analyze
- analyzes
- analyzed
- analyzing
The meaning remains the same.
For example:
British English:
“The researcher analyses the data.”
American English:
“The researcher analyzes the data.”
Both sentences mean that the researcher examines the data.
However, the noun forms analysis and analyses remain the same in both varieties.
That gives us an important distinction:
| Function | American English | British English |
| Singular noun | analysis | analysis |
| Plural noun | analyses | analyses |
| Base verb | analyze | analyse |
| Third-person verb | analyzes | analyses |
| Past tense | analyzed | analysed |
| Present participle | analyzing | analysing |
Therefore, regional spelling mainly affects the verb family. It doesn’t change the standard plural noun analyses.
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Analysis Pronunciation and Analyses Pronunciation
The spelling difference isn’t the only thing that matters. The analysis pronunciation and analyses pronunciation also differ.
In standard US English pronunciation, analysis is commonly represented in IPA as:
/əˈnæl.ə.sɪs/
The plural analyses is commonly represented as:
/əˈnæl.ə.siːz/
The important difference occurs at the end.
A simple way to remember it is:
- analysis ends with a sound similar to “sis”
- analyses ends with a sound similar to “sees”
The final consonant also changes from an s sound in analysis to a z sound in analyses.
How Do You Pronounce Analysis?
The word analysis has four syllables:
a-nal-y-sis
The main stress falls on the second syllable.
The final part uses the short vowel sound found in words such as “sit.”
How Do You Pronounce Analyses?
The word analyses also has four syllables.
Its ending differs from the singular form. The final vowel is longer and the word ends with a z sound.
This difference matters because the two forms can sound more distinct than their spelling suggests.
Analysis or Analyses Grammar
Good analysis grammar depends largely on grammatical number.
When the noun is singular, use a singular verb:
“The analysis shows a clear pattern.”
When the noun is plural, use a plural verb:
“The analyses show a clear pattern.”
The same pattern applies to past-tense forms:
“The analysis was completed.”
“The analyses were completed.”
And it applies to has/have:
“The analysis has several limitations.”
“The analyses have several limitations.”
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Analysis and Analyses With Determiners
Determiners provide another useful way to recognize the difference.
| Singular | Plural |
| this analysis | these analyses |
| that analysis | those analyses |
| one analysis | two analyses |
| an analysis | several analyses |
| each analysis | multiple analyses |
| another analysis | various analyses |
For example, this analysis is correct because this points to one item.
On the other hand, these analyses is correct because these points to multiple items.
Therefore:
- ❌ “these analysis”
- ✅ “these analyses”
Likewise:
- ❌ “two analysis”
- ✅ “two analyses”
Data Analysis or Data Analyses?
The phrase data analysis appears frequently in academic, scientific, business and technical writing. However, writers sometimes aren’t sure whether they should use data analysis or data analyses.
Both forms can be correct. The choice depends on what you mean.
Data Analysis
Use data analysis when you mean the general process or one particular examination.
Examples include:
“Data analysis is an essential part of the research process.”
“The team completed a data analysis of customer purchases.”
“The software makes data analysis easier.”
In these examples, data analysis describes either a general activity or one specific analytical process.
Data Analyses
Use data analyses when you mean multiple separate examinations.
For example:
“The researchers conducted several data analyses.”
“The study compares different data analyses.”
“Separate data analyses were performed for each age group.”
The distinction becomes particularly important when researchers use different methods.
Suppose researchers examine one dataset using three independent statistical approaches. They may describe those procedures as three analyses or three data analyses.
The important factor isn’t simply the amount of data. Instead, ask how many distinct examinations took place.
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Analysis in Research and Academic Writing
Research depends on analysis because raw information rarely explains itself.
Researchers collect observations, measurements, responses or other evidence. They then examine that material to identify patterns, relationships, differences and possible explanations.
A research paper might include:
- statistical analysis
- qualitative analysis
- quantitative analysis
- comparative analysis
- thematic analysis
- textual analysis
- regression analysis
- content analysis
Consider this sentence:
“The analysis revealed a significant relationship between the two variables.”
The writer refers to one examination.
Now consider:
“The researchers conducted several analyses to test the reliability of the findings.”
The plural makes sense because the researchers used multiple analytical approaches.
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Multiple Analyses or Multiple Analysis?
The correct phrase is:
multiple analyses
Not:
multiple analysis
The word multiple normally indicates more than one, so the plural noun is necessary.
Likewise:
- several analyses
- different analyses
- various analyses
- two analyses
- three analyses
These all require the plural form.
Analysis in Business and Professional Writing
Business professionals use analysis to understand markets, finances, customers, competitors and performance.
For example:
“The financial analysis identified rising operating costs.”
That’s one financial examination.
However:
“The company conducted financial analyses for each division.”
Now the company performed several separate examinations.
The same principle applies to other business terms:
- market analysis → market analyses
- competitor analysis → competitor analyses
- risk analysis → risk analyses
- sales analysis → sales analyses
- customer analysis → customer analyses
- performance analysis → performance analyses
This distinction can make business reports much clearer.
Analysis Examples
The easiest way to understand analysis examples is to compare singular and plural sentences side by side.
Analysis Examples
- “The analysis revealed a serious problem.”
- “Her analysis of the novel was detailed.”
- “We need an analysis of the current market.”
- “The laboratory performed an analysis of the sample.”
- “This analysis focuses on customer behavior.”
- “The financial analysis supports the proposal.”
- “The report provides an analysis of recent sales.”
- “Further analysis is necessary before the company makes a decision.”
Analyses Examples
- “The researchers performed several analyses.”
- “The analyses produced similar results.”
- “Three separate analyses appeared in the report.”
- “The paper compares two different analyses.”
- “These analyses examine different aspects of the problem.”
- “Multiple analyses confirmed the original findings.”
- “The team reviewed previous analyses before beginning the new study.”
- “Several statistical analyses were conducted.”
Analyses as a British English Verb
The word can also function as a verb in British English:
- “She analyses the results carefully.”
- “He analyses customer behavior every month.”
- “The researcher analyses each sample separately.”
In American English, use analyzes instead:
- “She analyzes the results carefully.”
- “He analyzes customer behavior every month.”
- “The researcher analyzes each sample separately.”
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A Practical Case Study One Analysis or Several Analyses?
Imagine a company notices that online sales have dropped during the last six months.
First, the company examines its overall sales figures. That examination is one analysis:
“The sales analysis revealed a decline in repeat purchases.”
Next, the company examines three separate areas:
- customer demographics
- website behavior
- regional sales
At this point, the report might say:
“The three analyses revealed different causes of the decline.”
The subject remains the same: declining sales.
What changes is the number of separate examinations.
One examination → analysis
Two or more examinations → analyses
This simple test works in research, business, science, education, journalism and everyday writing.
Common Mistakes With Analysis and Analyses
Mistake 1: Using Analyses for One Examination
Incorrect:
“The analyses was completed yesterday.”
Correct:
“The analysis was completed yesterday.”
The noun refers to one examination, so analysis is necessary.
Mistake 2: Using Analysis for Multiple Examinations
Incorrect:
“The three analysis produced different results.”
Correct:
“The three analyses produced different results.”
The number three clearly requires a plural noun.
Mistake 3: Writing Analysises
Incorrect:
“The report contains several analysises.”
Correct:
“The report contains several analyses.”
Don’t form the plural by simply adding -s. The standard plural changes the ending from -is to -es.
Mistake 4: Confusing Analyses With Analyzes
In American English:
“She analyzes the data every week.”
In British English:
“She analyses the data every week.”
The British form isn’t an error. It reflects the British spelling of the verb analyse.
Mistake 5: Using the Wrong Verb With Analyses
Incorrect:
“The analyses was useful.”
Correct:
“The analyses were useful.”
When analyses functions as a plural noun, it requires a plural verb.
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Analysis or Analyses Comparison Table
| Feature | Analysis | Analyses |
| Number | Singular | Plural |
| Part of speech | Noun | Noun |
| Basic meaning | One examination or study | Two or more examinations or studies |
| Example | “The analysis was useful.” | “The analyses were useful.” |
| With one | one analysis | — |
| With two | — | two analyses |
| With several | — | several analyses |
| Article | an analysis | — |
| Demonstrative | this analysis | these analyses |
| Past-tense verb | was | were |
| Present-tense verb | shows | show |
| Standard plural | — | analyses |
| Incorrect plural | — | analysises |
Remember that analyses has another role in British English. As a verb, it means that a person or thing examines something.
Analysis and Analyses Synonyms
The words analysis and analyses have several related terms. However, you shouldn’t assume that every synonym works in every sentence.
Analysis Synonyms
Depending on context, synonyms can include:
- examination
- investigation
- evaluation
- assessment
- study
- interpretation
- review
- scrutiny
- breakdown
For example:
“The analysis of the evidence was thorough.”
In some contexts, you could replace analysis with examination.
However, the words aren’t always identical. Analysis often suggests a systematic and detailed examination that leads to interpretation or conclusions.
Analyses Synonyms
Plural alternatives include:
- examinations
- investigations
- evaluations
- assessments
- studies
- interpretations
- reviews
Again, context determines the best choice.
When to Use Analysis or Analyses
If you’re unsure when to use analysis or analyses, ask yourself one simple question:
Am I talking about one examination or more than one?
Use analysis for one:
- one analysis
- an analysis
- this analysis
- that analysis
- each analysis
- another analysis
Use analyses for more than one:
- two analyses
- several analyses
- multiple analyses
- these analyses
- those analyses
- various analyses
Then ask a second question if necessary:
Is analyses functioning as a noun or as a British English verb?
Compare:
“The analyses were published.”
Here, analyses is a plural noun.
“She analyses the evidence.”
Here, analyses is a British English verb.
This two-step check solves most confusion around these forms.
Analysis Word Family
Understanding the complete word family makes the different forms easier to remember.
| Word | American English | British English | Function |
| analysis | analysis | analysis | Singular noun |
| analyses | analyses | analyses | Plural noun |
| analyze | analyze | — | Base verb |
| analyzes | analyzes | — | Third-person singular verb |
| analyzed | analyzed | — | Past tense/past participle |
| analyzing | analyzing | — | Present participle |
| analyse | — | analyse | Base verb |
| analyses | — | analyses | Third-person singular verb |
| analysed | — | analysed | Past tense/past participle |
| analysing | — | analysing | Present participle |
| analytical | analytical | analytical | Adjective |
| analytically | analytically | analytically | Adverb |
| analyst | analyst | analyst | Person who analyzes |
Notice something important: analysis and analyses remain the same as nouns in both American and British English.
The main regional spelling difference occurs in the verb:
American English: analyze
British English: analyse
Practice Session Analysis or Analyses
Fill in each blank with the correct word: analysis, analyses, analyzes, analyzed, analyzing or analyse.
- The scientist completed a detailed ________ of the results.
- The researchers conducted several ________ of the survey data.
- She carefully ________ the financial report every month.
- The team performed three separate ________ before reaching a conclusion.
- The professor asked students to write an ________ of the poem.
- The report contains a detailed ________ of customer behavior.
- The British researcher ________ the results before publishing the study.
- We need a thorough ________ of the problem before making a decision.
- The analysts are ________ the data to identify important trends.
- The study includes statistical ________ from several experiments.
- He completed one ________ of the company’s financial performance.
- The researcher ________ the evidence and presented her findings.
- The report compares several different ________ of the survey results.
- In British English, she ________ the data carefully.
- In American English, she ________ the data carefully.
- The student submitted an excellent ________ of the novel.
- The scientists performed multiple ________ to verify their findings.
- The manager is ________ the sales figures for the previous year.
- Each ________ revealed a different aspect of the problem.
- The researchers used several statistical ________ to interpret the results.
- The article provides an in-depth ________ of the grammatical issue.
- The team ________ the results before preparing the final report.
- A careful ________ can help you understand why the problem occurred.
- The researchers completed five separate ________ of the collected data.
- Before writing the conclusion, students should ________ the evidence carefully.
Answer Session
- analysis
- analyses
- analyzes
- analyses
- analysis
- analysis
- analyzed
- analysis
- analyzing
- analyses
- analysis
- analyzed
- analyses
- analyses
- analyzes
- analysis
- analyses
- analyzing
- analysis
- analyses
- analysis
- analyzed
- analysis
- analyses
- analyse
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between analysis and analyses?
Analysis is the singular form, meaning one detailed examination of something. Analyses is the plural form, referring to two or more separate examinations.
What is the plural of analysis?
The plural of analysis is analyses. For example, “The researcher completed three analyses of the data.”
Is analyses a correct word?
Yes. Analyses is the standard plural of analysis. It can also function as a verb in British English as the third-person singular form of analyse.
How do you pronounce analyses?
Analyses is pronounced approximately uh-NAL-uh-seez and ends with a sound similar to “sees.” In contrast, analysis ends with a sound similar to “sis.”
Is analyses a verb?
Yes. In British English, analyses is the third-person singular present-tense form of analyse. For example, “She analyses the results carefully.” In American English, the equivalent form is analyzes.
How do you spell analyses correctly?
The correct spelling is analyses, with -ses at the end: a-n-a-l-y-s-e-s. It is the plural noun form of analysis and the British English verb form of analyse.
What does analysis mean?
Analysis means a detailed examination of something to understand its parts, meaning, structure or significance. For example, “The report includes an analysis of customer behavior.”
Can analysis be plural?
No. Analysis is singular, while analyses is plural. You would say “one analysis” but “two analyses” or “several analyses.”
Is analyses used in American English?
Yes. American English uses analyses as the plural of analysis. However, when analyses functions as a verb, American English normally uses analyzes instead. For example, “She analyzes the results.”
What is the difference between analyzes and analyses?
Analyzes is the standard American English verb form of analyze, while analyses is the plural noun form of analysis and also the British English verb form of analyse. For example, “He analyzes the data” is American English, while “He analyses the data” is British English.
Conclusion
The analysis or analyses confusion may look like a small spelling trap, but once you understand the pattern, it becomes much easier to avoid. Analysis is the singular noun, while analyses is the plural form. So, you conduct one analysis, but you may compare several analyses. Simple enough, right?
There is one more twist. In British English, analyses can also serve as the third-person singular form of the verb analyse. In American English, the equivalent is analyzes. Therefore, knowing whether you are using a noun or a verb and whether you are following US or UK English, can save you from an awkward grammar stumble.
Remember the easiest rule: analysis = one, analyses = more than one, analyzes = US English verb. Once that pattern sticks, you can stop analyzing the spelling and start analyzing the subject that actually matters.
Ethan AJS is an experienced blogger and language enthusiast at Words Overview, dedicated to making English easier to understand and use. He writes about grammar, vocabulary, spelling, word meanings and commonly confused words, turning tricky language questions into clear, practical insights. With a passion for effective communication, Ethan creates engaging, readerfocused content that helps readers write accurately, choose the right words and communicate with confidence.
