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Analyses

(one word set)

This is one of several tricky words we encounter in everyday English.  Like a chameleon that changes its colour to match its surroundings and to show its moods, this word changes its pronunciation and spelling to match the context it is used in, or changes its form – noun or verb – depending on the pronunciation.

(A) When “analyses” is used as a verb, it is the singular form of ‘to analyse’ which means ‘to examine something by separating it into parts’, and its pronunciation is roughly ana-lie-zes; or when it is pronounced ana-lie-zes it is the singular form of the verb word ‘to analyse’.

e.g.

A scientist analyses the food for traces of poison. {verb – singular – ana-lie-zes}

Scientists analyse the food for traces of poison. {verb – plural – ana-lie-z}

Scientists analysed the food for traces of poison. {verb – ana-lie-zd}

(B) When it is used as a noun, it is the plural form of “analysis” which means ‘the act of examining something by dividing it into parts’, and its pronunciation is roughly ana-la-seez.

e.g.

The analyses of the food show traces of poison. {noun – plural – ana-la-seez}

The analysis of the food shows traces of poison. {noun – singular – ana-la-sis}

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