how to say thesis in plural

paper-free learning

• conjunctions
• determiners
• interjections
• prepositions
• affect vs effect
• its vs it's
• your vs you're
• which vs that
• who vs whom
• who's vs whose
• averse vs adverse
• 250+ more...
• apostrophes
• quotation marks
• lots more...
• common writing errors
• FAQs by writers
• awkward plurals
• ESL vocabulary lists
• all our grammar videos
• idioms and proverbs
• Latin terms
• collective nouns for animals
• tattoo fails
• vocabulary categories
• most common verbs
• top 10 irregular verbs
• top 10 regular verbs
• top 10 spelling rules
• improve spelling
• common misspellings
• role-play scenarios
• favo(u)rite word lists
• multiple-choice test
• Tetris game
• grammar-themed memory game
• 100s more...

Plural of Thesis

The Quick Answer

The Plural of Thesis

Table of Contents

Are You Good at Plurals?

The standard rules for forming the plurals, why is there confusion over the plural of thesis.

• Ready for the Test?

This page was written by Craig Shrives .

Learning Resources

more actions:

Help Us Improve Grammar Monster

• Do you disagree with something on this page?
• Did you spot a typo?

Find Us Quicker!

• When using a search engine (e.g., Google, Bing), you will find Grammar Monster quicker if you add #gm to your search term.

You might also like...

Share This Page

If you like Grammar Monster (or this page in particular), please link to it or share it with others. If you do, please tell us . It helps us a lot!

Create a QR Code

Use our handy widget to create a QR code for this page...or any page.

< previous lesson

next lesson >

English Teacher Site

Whats the Plural of Thesis: Understanding Singular and Plural Forms

• The plural of “thesis” adheres to the Greek-rooted pattern, changing the singular -is to a plural -es.
• Accurate use of “thesis” and “theses” reflects scholarly precision in both written and oral communication.
• Awareness of correct pluralization extends to other similar nouns ending in -sis, emphasizing the importance of understanding language origins.

It is crucial to use the word correctly in both singular and plural contexts to maintain the integrity of written and spoken communication. In the realm of academics, precision in language reflects the rigor of one’s research and argumentation. As such, understanding the transformation from “thesis” to its plural counterpart is more than a trivial detail; it reflects a deeper appreciation for the structure and history of the English language.

What’s the Plural of Thesis?

The proper plural of thesis is “theses.” This transformation is part of a broader pattern in the English language where certain nouns change their ending to reflect a plural state.

Below, a comparison is made to illustrate the standard singular to plural transformation for nouns ending in -is:

Key Points about the pluralization of “thesis”:

• The plural follows a specific rule of changing the ‘-is’ ending to ‘-es’.
• This pattern is consistent with other Greek-derived words.
• The pronunciation changes with the plural form, ending in “-eez.”

To clarify usage, consider these examples:

• Singular: The student’s thesis was commended for its clarity.
• Plural: The professor read all the submitted theses before the conference.

Singular Form of Thesis

The singular form of ‘thesis’ is of notable interest due to its origins and distinct pluralization.

Origination and Definition:

• Etymology : Derived from the ancient Greek word τίθημι (tithēmi), which means “to put” or “to place.”
• Meaning : It is a statement or theory put forward to be maintained or proved.

Usage in Academia:

• A significant piece of writing prepared by a student to obtain a university degree or diploma.
• Often involves original research and substantiates a particular view or argument.

Table 1: Notable Features of ‘Thesis’

Table 2: Contextual Examples

Definition of Thesis

A thesis is a substantial piece of scholarly writing that is typically required to obtain a master’s or doctoral degree. It represents the author’s research and findings in their chosen field of study. A thesis serves as evidence that the student has acquired the knowledge necessary to be considered a scholar in the field. Here, two key aspects of a thesis will be described through tables:

Purpose and Composition of a Thesis:

Characteristics of a Thesis:

• Focused : It should have a clear, concise premise or central argument.
• Researched : Employs rigorous methodologies to gather and analyze data.
• Structured : Contains defined sections that present information logically.
• Cited : Includes proper citations of sources that support or contrast the thesis.
• Reviewed : Undergoes scrutiny by academic peers or supervisors.

Other Irregular Plural Nouns Ending in -sis/ses

Below you will find two tables categorized by common and less common irregular plurals that follow this pattern.

Common Irregular Plurals:

This pattern is often observed with words that have Greek origins.

Less Common Irregular Plurals:

It is important to recognize these forms to maintain grammatical accuracy in writing and speech. Below is a list of examples used in sentences:

• When multiple scientific hypotheses are tested, the results can lead to important discoveries.
• During the editing process, Jane had to review all the parentheses to ensure clarity in her writing.
• Geographers study multiple oases in the desert to understand these unique ecosystems.
• His thesis on renewable energy was well-received, and many theses on the subject reference his work.

Examples of Thesis (Singular) in Sentences

Here are examples that demonstrate its usage in various sentences.

In Academic Context

In everyday discourse.

Informal setting : During the debate, his thesis was that space exploration is no longer just a dream but a necessity.

• Discussing beliefs : Her thesis is that all public spaces should offer free Wi-Fi.
• Opinion : They argued the thesis that high taxes discourage spending.

Examples of Theses (Plural) in Sentences

Here are some examples of how “theses” can be used in sentences:

Education Setting : Graduate students often struggle to find unique topics for their theses as most ideas have been extensively explored.

• Evaluating the structure and arguments of different theses can help one build a stronger dissertation.

Origin of the Word Thesis

The term thesis originates from the ancient Greek word θέσις (thésis), which means “a proposition” . Historically, this term has played a crucial role in both rhetorical and academic contexts. It denotes a statement that a writer intends to support and prove. In academic circles, thesis often refers to a document that presents the author’s research and findings and is submitted in support of candidature for a degree or professional qualification.

Etymological Background

The journey of the word from its Greek roots to the modern English language reflects the changing dynamics of educational and scholarly practices over the centuries.

As a carryover from Greek to Latin, the word made its way into English, maintaining its original Greek plural form:

Usage in Academia

In academia, the word has been used since the late Middle Ages to denote a scholarly work written by students aiming to obtain a university degree. Over time, the use of thesis expanded from merely referring to a proposition to a lengthy document providing evidence of comprehensive research.

Historical Evolution:

• Middle Ages : Referred to propositions for a degree.
• Renaissance : Emphasized individual research.
• Modern Usage : Extensive research documents for higher education degrees.

Areas of Impact:

• Rhetoric : Considered as a premise to be argued.
• Academic Research : Reflects comprehensive study in a field.

Similar Posts

Parts of speech: 8 key elements explained and their usage guide.

To develop a strong command of English, one must become adept at identifying and employing the eight parts of speech. Having a clear grasp of their functions can prevent common grammatical errors that often confuse readers and distort the message. A sentence’s clarity hinges on the correct placement and use of these essential components. With…

What’s the Plural of Vertebra: Understanding Spinal Anatomy Terms

The plural form of ‘vertebra’ often raises questions among both English learners and native speakers. ‘Vertebra’ refers to one of the individual bones that stack to form the vertebral column or spine. While singular terms in English are straightforward, plurals can present irregularities, especially when borrowing from other languages, like Latin in this case. What’s…

Whats the Past Tense of Bleed: Unveiling the Correct Usage

The verb ‘bleed’ is an irregular verb, which means it does not conform to the typical patterns of conjugation. In the case of ‘bleed’, the correct past tense form is ‘bled’. Unlike regular verbs, where the past tense is formed by adding -ed to the base verb, ‘bled’ does not follow this convention. It is…

Is It Flyer or Flier: Understanding the Correct Usage

Understanding the differences between “flyer” and “flier” involves looking at historical usage, regional variations, and even stylistic choices by different publication houses. For instance, in British English, “flyer” is commonly used for the small handbills, while “flier” might be found in other contexts. The subtleties in spelling can reflect on the writer’s adherence to style…

What’s the Plural of Wolf: Understanding Regular and Irregular Plurals

The correct plural form of “wolf” is “wolves.” This is the case for a few nouns in English that end with “f” or “fe”; the letter ‘f’ is often replaced with ‘ves’ when forming the plural. Understanding this irregularity enhances one’s grasp of the language and aids in proper communication, especially when discussing these canines…

Whats the Past Tense of Ride: Understanding Rode and Ridden

Correct use of “rode” and “ridden” allows for precise communication in past narrative and perfect tenses. For instance, one might say “He rode a bicycle yesterday,” using the simple past tense. On the other hand, using the past participle, one could say “She has ridden horses since she was a child,” indicating an action that…

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

• More from M-W
• To save this word, you'll need to log in. Log In

Definition of thesis

Did you know.

In high school, college, or graduate school, students often have to write a thesis on a topic in their major field of study. In many fields, a final thesis is the biggest challenge involved in getting a master's degree, and the same is true for students studying for a Ph.D. (a Ph.D. thesis is often called a dissertation ). But a thesis may also be an idea; so in the course of the paper the student may put forth several theses (notice the plural form) and attempt to prove them.

Examples of thesis in a Sentence

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'thesis.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

in sense 3, Middle English, lowering of the voice, from Late Latin & Greek; Late Latin, from Greek, downbeat, more important part of a foot, literally, act of laying down; in other senses, Latin, from Greek, literally, act of laying down, from tithenai to put, lay down — more at do

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3a(1)

Dictionary Entries Near thesis

the sins of the fathers are visited upon the children

thesis novel

Cite this Entry

“Thesis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thesis. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

Kids definition of thesis, more from merriam-webster on thesis.

Nglish: Translation of thesis for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of thesis for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about thesis

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the day, inalienable.

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Your vs. you're: how to use them correctly, every letter is silent, sometimes: a-z list of examples, more commonly mispronounced words, how to use em dashes (—), en dashes (–) , and hyphens (-), absent letters that are heard anyway, popular in wordplay, the words of the week - apr. 12, 10 scrabble words without any vowels, 12 more bird names that sound like insults (and sometimes are), 9 superb owl words, 15 words that used to mean something different, games & quizzes.

• 1.1 Etymology
• 1.2 Pronunciation
• 1.3.1 Derived terms
• 1.3.2 Related terms
• 1.3.3 Translations
• 1.4 References
• 1.5 Further reading
• 1.6 Anagrams
• 2.1 Etymology
• 2.2 Pronunciation
• 3.1 Etymology
• 3.2 Pronunciation
• 3.3.1 Declension
• 3.3.2 Descendants
• 3.4 References

English [ edit ]

Etymology [ edit ].

From Late Middle English thesis ( “ lowering of the voice ” ) [1] and also borrowed directly from its etymon Latin thesis ( “ proposition, thesis; lowering of the voice ” ) , from Ancient Greek θέσῐς ( thésis , “ arrangement, placement, setting; conclusion, position, thesis; lowering of the voice ” ) , from τῐ́θημῐ ( títhēmi , “ to place, put, set; to put down in writing; to consider as, regard ” ) [2] [3] (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *dʰeh₁- ( “ to do; to place, put ” ) ) + -σῐς ( -sis , suffix forming abstract nouns or nouns of action, process, or result ) . The English word is a doublet of deed .

Sense 1.1 (“proposition or statement supported by arguments”) is adopted from antithesis . [2] Sense 1.4 (“initial stage of reasoning”) was first used by the German philosopher Johann Gottlieb Fichte (1762–1814), and later applied to the dialectical method of his countryman, the philosopher Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel (1770–1831).

The plural form theses is borrowed from Latin thesēs , from Ancient Greek θέσεις ( théseis ) .

Pronunciation [ edit ]

• ( Received Pronunciation ) IPA ( key ) : /ˈθiːsɪs/ , ( archaic ) /ˈθɛsɪs/
• ( General American ) IPA ( key ) : /ˈθisɪs/
• Rhymes: -iːsɪs
• Hyphenation: the‧sis
• ( Received Pronunciation ) IPA ( key ) : /ˈθiːsiːz/
• ( General American ) IPA ( key ) : /ˈθisiz/
• Rhymes: -iːsiːz
• Hyphenation: the‧ses

Noun [ edit ]

thesis ( plural theses )

• ( rhetoric ) A proposition or statement supported by arguments .
• 1766 , [ Oliver Goldsmith ], “The Conclusion”, in The Vicar of Wakefield:   [ … ] , volume II, Salisbury, Wiltshire: [ … ] B. Collins, for F [ rancis ] Newbery ,   [ … ] , →OCLC ; reprinted London: Elliot Stock , 1885 , →OCLC , pages 218–219 : I told them of the grave, becoming, and ſublime deportment they ſhould aſſume upon this myſtical occaſion, and read them two homilies and a theſis of my own compoſing, in order to prepare them.
• ( mathematics , computer science ) A conjecture , especially one too vague to be formally stated or verified but useful as a working convention.
• ( logic ) An affirmation , or distinction from a supposition or hypothesis .
• ( philosophy ) In the dialectical method of Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel : the initial stage of reasoning where a formal statement of a point is developed ; this is followed by antithesis and synthesis .
• ( music , prosody , originally ) The action of lowering the hand or bringing down the foot when indicating a rhythm ; hence, an accented part of a measure of music or verse indicated by this action; an ictus , a stress . Antonym: arsis
• ( music , prosody , with a reversal of meaning ) A depression of the voice when pronouncing a syllables of a word ; hence, the unstressed part of the metrical foot of a verse upon which such a depression falls , or an unaccented musical note .

Derived terms [ edit ]

• all but thesis
• bachelor's thesis
• Church-Turing thesis
• conflict thesis
• doctoral thesis
• graduate thesis
• Habakkuk thesis
• master's thesis
• Merton thesis
• private language thesis
• thesis defense
• thesis film
• thesis statement

Related terms [ edit ]

Translations [ edit ], references [ edit ].

• ^ “ thē̆sis, n. ”, in MED Online , Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan , 2007.
• ^ “ thesis, n. ”, in Lexico , Dictionary.com ; Oxford University Press , 2019–2022.

Further reading [ edit ]

• “ thesis ”, in The Century Dictionary   [ … ] , New York, N.Y.: The Century Co. , 1911, →OCLC .
• “ thesis ”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary , Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam , 1913, →OCLC .

Anagrams [ edit ]

• Heists , Sethis , heists , shiest , shites , sithes , thises

Dutch [ edit ]

From Latin thesis , from Ancient Greek θέσις ( thésis , “ a proposition, a statement, a thing laid down, thesis in rhetoric, thesis in prosody ” ) .

thesis   f ( plural theses or thesissen , diminutive thesisje   n )

• Dated form of these . Synonyms: dissertatie , proefschrift , scriptie

Latin [ edit ]

From Ancient Greek θέσις ( thésis , “ a proposition, a statement, a thing laid down, thesis in rhetoric, thesis in prosody ” ) .

• ( Classical ) IPA ( key ) : /ˈtʰe.sis/ , [ˈt̪ʰɛs̠ɪs̠]
• ( modern Italianate Ecclesiastical ) IPA ( key ) : /ˈte.sis/ , [ˈt̪ɛːs̬is]

thesis   f ( genitive thesis ) ; third declension

Declension [ edit ]

Descendants [ edit ].

• → Dutch: thesis
• → Armenian: թեզ ( tʿez )
• → Dutch: these
• → Persian: تز ( tez )
• → Romanian: teză
• → Turkish: tez
• Galician: tese
• Italian: tesi
• English: thesis
• Portuguese: tese
• Spanish: tesis
• “ thesis ”, in Charlton T. Lewis and Charles Short (1879) A Latin Dictionary , Oxford: Clarendon Press
• thesis in Gaffiot, Félix (1934) Dictionnaire illustré latin-français , Hachette.

• English terms derived from Proto-Indo-European
• English terms derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *dʰeh₁-
• English terms inherited from Middle English
• English terms derived from Middle English
• English terms borrowed from Latin
• English terms derived from Latin
• English terms derived from Ancient Greek
• English doublets
• English 2-syllable words
• English terms with IPA pronunciation
• English terms with audio links
• Rhymes:English/iːsɪs
• Rhymes:English/iːsɪs/2 syllables
• Rhymes:English/iːsiːz
• English lemmas
• English nouns
• English countable nouns
• English nouns with irregular plurals
• en:Rhetoric
• English terms with quotations
• en:Mathematics
• en:Computer science
• en:Philosophy
• English contranyms
• Dutch terms derived from Latin
• Dutch terms derived from Ancient Greek
• Dutch terms with audio links
• Dutch lemmas
• Dutch nouns
• Dutch nouns with Latin plurals
• Dutch nouns with plural in -en
• Dutch feminine nouns
• Dutch dated forms
• Latin terms derived from Proto-Indo-European
• Latin terms derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *dʰeh₁-
• Latin terms borrowed from Ancient Greek
• Latin terms derived from Ancient Greek
• Latin 2-syllable words
• Latin terms with IPA pronunciation
• Latin lemmas
• Latin nouns
• Latin third declension nouns
• Latin feminine nouns in the third declension
• Latin feminine nouns
• Word of the day archive
• English entries with language name categories using raw markup
• Mandarin terms with redundant transliterations
• Russian terms with non-redundant manual transliterations

Navigation menu

• Daily Crossword
• Word Puzzle
• Word Finder
• Word of the Day
• Synonym of the Day
• Word of the Year
• Language stories
• All featured
• Gender and sexuality
• All pop culture
• Grammar Coach ™
• Writing hub
• Grammar essentials
• Commonly confused
• All writing tips
• Pop culture
• Writing tips

a proposition stated or put forward for consideration, especially one to be discussed and proved or to be maintained against objections: He vigorously defended his thesis on the causes of war.

a subject for a composition or essay.

a dissertation on a particular subject in which one has done original research, as one presented by a candidate for a diploma or degree.

Music . the downward stroke in conducting; downbeat. : Compare arsis (def. 1) .

a part of a metrical foot that does not bear the ictus or stress.

(less commonly) the part of a metrical foot that bears the ictus. : Compare arsis (def. 2) .

Philosophy . See under Hegelian dialectic .

Origin of thesis

Word story for thesis, other words for thesis, words that may be confused with thesis.

• 1. antithesis , synthesis , thesis
• 2. dissertation , thesis

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use thesis in a sentence

We have already seen (p. xxi) that this was one of the important theses of the Muʿtazilite Kalam.

In 1597 he maintained public theses in Mathematics, Philosophy, and Law with the highest applause.

The theses on indulgences having brought him to the knowledge of the truth, he had forthwith made a bold profession of the faith.

He went to Wittenberg, in his innocence, intending to tack on the church-door there his theses.

I think it in very bad taste, always impertinent, and often pedantic, to attempt to prove theses by writing stories.

British Dictionary definitions for thesis

/ ( ˈθiːsɪs ) /

a dissertation resulting from original research, esp when submitted by a candidate for a degree or diploma

a doctrine maintained or promoted in argument

a subject for a discussion or essay

an unproved statement, esp one put forward as a premise in an argument

music the downbeat of a bar, as indicated in conducting

(in classical prosody) the syllable or part of a metrical foot not receiving the ictus : Compare arsis

philosophy the first stage in the Hegelian dialectic, that is challenged by the antithesis

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for thesis

The central idea in a piece of writing, sometimes contained in a topic sentence .

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

bottom_desktop desktop:[300x250]

Have a language expert improve your writing

Run a free plagiarism check in 10 minutes, generate accurate citations for free.

• Knowledge Base
• How to Write a Thesis Statement | 4 Steps & Examples

How to Write a Thesis Statement | 4 Steps & Examples

Published on January 11, 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on August 15, 2023 by Eoghan Ryan.

A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay . It usually comes near the end of your introduction .

Your thesis will look a bit different depending on the type of essay you’re writing. But the thesis statement should always clearly state the main idea you want to get across. Everything else in your essay should relate back to this idea.

You can write your thesis statement by following four simple steps:

• Start with a question
• Write your initial answer
• Develop your answer
• Refine your thesis statement

Instantly correct all language mistakes in your text

Upload your document to correct all your mistakes in minutes

Table of contents

What is a thesis statement, placement of the thesis statement, step 1: start with a question, step 2: write your initial answer, step 3: develop your answer, step 4: refine your thesis statement, types of thesis statements, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about thesis statements.

A thesis statement summarizes the central points of your essay. It is a signpost telling the reader what the essay will argue and why.

The best thesis statements are:

• Concise: A good thesis statement is short and sweet—don’t use more words than necessary. State your point clearly and directly in one or two sentences.
• Contentious: Your thesis shouldn’t be a simple statement of fact that everyone already knows. A good thesis statement is a claim that requires further evidence or analysis to back it up.
• Coherent: Everything mentioned in your thesis statement must be supported and explained in the rest of your paper.

Receive feedback on language, structure, and formatting

Professional editors proofread and edit your paper by focusing on:

• Academic style
• Vague sentences
• Style consistency

See an example

The thesis statement generally appears at the end of your essay introduction or research paper introduction .

The spread of the internet has had a world-changing effect, not least on the world of education. The use of the internet in academic contexts and among young people more generally is hotly debated. For many who did not grow up with this technology, its effects seem alarming and potentially harmful. This concern, while understandable, is misguided. The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its many benefits for education: the internet facilitates easier access to information, exposure to different perspectives, and a flexible learning environment for both students and teachers.

You should come up with an initial thesis, sometimes called a working thesis , early in the writing process . As soon as you’ve decided on your essay topic , you need to work out what you want to say about it—a clear thesis will give your essay direction and structure.

You might already have a question in your assignment, but if not, try to come up with your own. What would you like to find out or decide about your topic?

For example, you might ask:

After some initial research, you can formulate a tentative answer to this question. At this stage it can be simple, and it should guide the research process and writing process .

Here's why students love Scribbr's proofreading services

Discover proofreading & editing

Now you need to consider why this is your answer and how you will convince your reader to agree with you. As you read more about your topic and begin writing, your answer should get more detailed.

In your essay about the internet and education, the thesis states your position and sketches out the key arguments you’ll use to support it.

The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its many benefits for education because it facilitates easier access to information.

In your essay about braille, the thesis statement summarizes the key historical development that you’ll explain.

The invention of braille in the 19th century transformed the lives of blind people, allowing them to participate more actively in public life.

A strong thesis statement should tell the reader:

• Why you hold this position
• What they’ll learn from your essay
• The key points of your argument or narrative

The final thesis statement doesn’t just state your position, but summarizes your overall argument or the entire topic you’re going to explain. To strengthen a weak thesis statement, it can help to consider the broader context of your topic.

These examples are more specific and show that you’ll explore your topic in depth.

Your thesis statement should match the goals of your essay, which vary depending on the type of essay you’re writing:

• In an argumentative essay , your thesis statement should take a strong position. Your aim in the essay is to convince your reader of this thesis based on evidence and logical reasoning.
• In an expository essay , you’ll aim to explain the facts of a topic or process. Your thesis statement doesn’t have to include a strong opinion in this case, but it should clearly state the central point you want to make, and mention the key elements you’ll explain.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

• Ad hominem fallacy
• Post hoc fallacy
• Appeal to authority fallacy
• False cause fallacy
• Sunk cost fallacy

College essays

• Choosing Essay Topic
• Write a College Essay
• Write a Diversity Essay
• College Essay Format & Structure
• Comparing and Contrasting in an Essay

 (AI) Tools

• Grammar Checker
• Paraphrasing Tool
• Text Summarizer
• AI Detector
• Plagiarism Checker
• Citation Generator

A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay . Everything else you write should relate to this key idea.

The thesis statement is essential in any academic essay or research paper for two main reasons:

• It gives your writing direction and focus.
• It gives the reader a concise summary of your main point.

Without a clear thesis statement, an essay can end up rambling and unfocused, leaving your reader unsure of exactly what you want to say.

Follow these four steps to come up with a thesis statement :

• Ask a question about your topic .
• Write your initial answer.
• Develop your answer by including reasons.
• Refine your answer, adding more detail and nuance.

The thesis statement should be placed at the end of your essay introduction .

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

McCombes, S. (2023, August 15). How to Write a Thesis Statement | 4 Steps & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved April 16, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/academic-essay/thesis-statement/

Is this article helpful?

Shona McCombes

Other students also liked, how to write an essay introduction | 4 steps & examples, how to write topic sentences | 4 steps, examples & purpose, academic paragraph structure | step-by-step guide & examples, what is your plagiarism score.

• Dictionaries home
• American English
• Collocations
• German-English
• Grammar home
• Practical English Usage
• Learn & Practise Grammar (Beta)
• Word Lists home
• My Word Lists
• Recent additions
• Resources home
• Text Checker

Definition of thesis noun from the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

Want to learn more?

Find out which words work together and produce more natural-sounding English with the Oxford Collocations Dictionary app. Try it for free as part of the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary app.

• Cambridge Dictionary +Plus

English pronunciation of theses

Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio

(English pronunciations of theses from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus and from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary , both sources © Cambridge University Press)

Word of the Day

spin your wheels

to waste time doing things that achieve nothing

Alike and analogous (Talking about similarities, Part 1)

Learn more with +Plus

• Recent and Recommended {{#preferredDictionaries}} {{name}} {{/preferredDictionaries}}
• Definitions Clear explanations of natural written and spoken English English Learner’s Dictionary Essential British English Essential American English
• Grammar and thesaurus Usage explanations of natural written and spoken English Grammar Thesaurus
• Pronunciation British and American pronunciations with audio English Pronunciation
• English–Chinese (Simplified) Chinese (Simplified)–English
• English–Chinese (Traditional) Chinese (Traditional)–English
• English–Dutch Dutch–English
• English–French French–English
• English–German German–English
• English–Indonesian Indonesian–English
• English–Italian Italian–English
• English–Japanese Japanese–English
• English–Norwegian Norwegian–English
• English–Polish Polish–English
• English–Portuguese Portuguese–English
• English–Spanish Spanish–English
• English–Swedish Swedish–English
• Dictionary +Plus Word Lists
• All translations

Add ${headword} to one of your lists below, or create a new one.

{{message}}

Something went wrong.

There was a problem sending your report.

• Pronunciation
• Try to pronounce
• Collections
• Translation

Learn how to pronounce thesis

• Very difficult

IPA : ˈθiːsɪs

Have you finished your recording?

Learn thesis pronunciation with video

Phonetic spelling of thesis

the-sis 0 rating rating ratings Fabiola Mertz thee-sis 0 rating rating ratings Delpha Jacobi

Thanks for contributing

You are not logged in..

Please Log in or Register or post as a guest

Meanings for thesis

An opinion of a speaker who tries to prove it. 0 rating rating ratings Kailash Sheth

Synonyms for thesis

Show more fewer Synonyms

Learn more about the word "thesis" , its origin, alternative forms, and usage from Wiktionary.

Quiz on thesis

{{ quiz.name }}

{{ quiz.questions_count }} Questions

Show more fewer Quiz

Collections on thesis

-{{collection.uname}}

Show more fewer Collections

Wiki content for thesis

Show more fewer Wiki

Examples of in a sentence

Show more fewer Sentence

thesis should be in sentence

Translations of thesis

Show more fewer Translation

Trending news on thesis

Show more fewer News

Add thesis details

thesis pronunciation with meanings, synonyms, antonyms, translations, sentences and more

The correct way to pronounce the name elijah wood is, popular collections, spanish vocabulary, commonly mispronounced words in english, celebrities, popular food and drinks, popular quizzes.

Trending on HowToPronounce

• Jacquemus [en]
• suicide squad [en]
• Deepak Hooda [en]
• forbes [en]
• napoli [en]
• Bayer Leverkusen [en]
• atychiphobia [en]
• Jordan [en]
• tteokbokki [en]
• Tsitsipas [en]
• Xiomara [en]
• Scottie Scheffler [en]
• The weeknd [en]

Word of the day

Latest word submissions, recently viewed words, flag word/pronunciation, create a quiz.

Plural of Analysis: How to Use It Correctly

By: Author ESLBUZZ

Posted on Last updated: October 20, 2023

Sharing is caring!

Analysis is a commonly used word in academic and professional settings. It refers to the process of examining and interpreting data or information. However, when it comes to using this word in its plural form, things can get a bit confusing for English learners. In this article, we will explore the plural of analysis and provide some helpful tips and examples to make it easier for you to use this word correctly.

Plural of Analysis

Definition and Plural of Analysis

When it comes to studying complex issues, conducting a thorough analysis is crucial. Analysis is a detailed examination of anything complex in order to understand its nature or to determine its essential features. It involves breaking down a whole into its component parts and examining each part in detail. An analysis can be used to identify problems, evaluate potential solutions, and make informed decisions.

The plural form of analysis is analyses. It is important not to confuse the plural noun analyses with the verb analyzes. They are just one letter apart, but the meanings are different. Analyses refers to multiple studies, reports, examinations, etc.

Here are a few examples of how to use the word analyses in a sentence:

• The team conducted several analyses of the data to identify trends and patterns.
• The report included detailed analyses of the company’s financial performance over the past year.
• The researchers conducted multiple analyses to determine the effectiveness of the new drug.

In summary, analysis is a critical tool for understanding complex issues and making informed decisions. The plural form of analysis is analyses, which refers to multiple studies, reports, examinations, etc.

When to Use Analysis and Plural of Analysis

When writing about a single study or examination, use the singular form “analysis.” For example, “The analysis of the data shows a clear trend.”

On the other hand, when referring to multiple studies or examinations, use the plural form “analyses.” For instance, “The analyses conducted by various researchers all point to the same conclusion.”

It’s important to note that “analyses” is not to be confused with the verb “analyzes.” The former refers to multiple studies or examinations, while the latter is the present tense of the verb “analyze.”

In some cases, the context may determine whether to use “analysis” or “analyses.” For instance, if you are referring to a specific set of studies or examinations, use “analyses.” However, if you are discussing the process of analyzing data in general, use “analysis.”

In summary, use “analysis” when referring to a single study or examination and “analyses” when referring to multiple studies or examinations. Be mindful of the context and the spelling variations between British and American English.

Examples of Analysis and Plural of Analysis in Sentences

When writing about a topic that requires analysis, it’s important to use the correct plural form of the word. Here are some examples of how to use “analysis” and “analyses” in sentences.

• Example 1: You can conduct a detailed analysis of the data to identify trends and patterns.
• Example 2: The company commissioned several analyses to determine the feasibility of the project.
• Example 3: The analyses revealed that there were significant differences between the two groups.
• Example 4: The professor assigned a series of analyses to the students as part of their coursework.

As you can see, the plural form “analyses” is used when referring to multiple studies or examinations. It’s important to use the correct form to avoid confusion and ensure clarity in your writing.

When using the plural form, it’s also important to pay attention to subject-verb agreement. For example:

• Incorrect: The analyses was conducted over a period of six months.
• Correct: The analyses were conducted over a period of six months.

In addition to subject-verb agreement, it’s important to use the correct article with the plural form. For example:

• Incorrect: I read an analyses of the study.
• Correct: I read analyses of the study.

By using the correct plural form of “analysis” and paying attention to subject-verb agreement and articles, you can ensure that your writing is clear and effective.

Plural Noun Rules for Regular Nouns

When it comes to making regular nouns plural, there are a few simple rules to follow. Most singular nouns can be made plural by adding an -s or -es to the end of the word. Here are some examples:

Singular noun: cat

Plural noun: cats

Singular noun: book

Plural noun: books

Singular noun: box

Plural noun: boxes

However, there are a few exceptions to these rules. For example, if a singular noun ends in -y and the letter before the -y is a consonant, you need to change the -y to -ies to make it plural. Here are some examples:

Singular noun: party

Plural noun: parties

Singular noun: baby

Plural noun: babies

Singular noun: city

Plural noun: cities

Another exception is when a singular noun ends in -f or -fe. In this case, you need to change the -f or -fe to -ves to make it plural. Here are some examples:

Singular noun: knife

Plural noun: knives

Singular noun: wife

Plural noun: wives

Singular noun: leaf

Plural noun: leaves

There are also some irregular plural nouns that don’t follow these rules. For example:

Singular noun: child

Plural noun: children

Singular noun: mouse

Plural noun: mice

Singular noun: foot

Plural noun: feet

Remember, when in doubt, consult a dictionary or style guide to ensure that you are using the correct plural form of a noun.

Plural Noun Rules for Irregular Nouns

When it comes to forming the plural of irregular nouns, there are no hard and fast rules to follow. Unlike regular nouns, which simply add -s or -es to the end of the word to form the plural, irregular nouns have unique plural forms that must be memorized. Here are some common rules and examples to help you form the plural of irregular nouns.

List of Common Irregular Plural Nouns

Some of the most common irregular plural nouns include:

• Child/Children
• Tooth/Teeth
• Woman/Women

Nouns That End in Us

Nouns that end in -us typically change to -i in the plural form. For example:

• Cactus/Cacti
• Fungus/Fungi

Nouns That End in Is

Nouns that end in -is typically change to -es in the plural form. For example:

• Analysis/Analyses
• Crisis/Crises
• Thesis/Theses

Nouns That End in On and Um

Nouns that end in -on or -um typically change to -a in the plural form. For example:

• Criterion/Criteria
• Phenomenon/Phenomena
• Bacterium/Bacteria

Plurals That Are the Same as Singulars

Some irregular nouns have the same form in both singular and plural. For example:

• Fish (when referring to multiple fish of the same species)

Words That Look Like Plural Nouns but Are Singular Nouns

Some words may look like plural nouns, but they are actually singular nouns. For example:

• Mathematics
• Linguistics
• Diagnostics

Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all rule for forming the plural of irregular nouns. The best way to learn is to memorize the plural forms of common irregular nouns and practice using them in context.

Plural Nouns vs. Possessive Nouns

Plural nouns and possessive nouns are two different types of nouns that are used in the English language. Plural nouns refer to more than one person, place, thing, or idea, while possessive nouns indicate ownership or possession of something.

Plural nouns are formed by adding -s or -es to the end of the singular noun. For example, the singular noun “car” becomes “cars” in the plural form. Similarly, the singular noun “box” becomes “boxes” in the plural form.

On the other hand, possessive nouns are formed by adding an apostrophe and an -s to the end of the singular noun. For example, the possessive form of the singular noun “cat” is “cat’s.” If the noun is already plural and ends in -s, then only an apostrophe is added to form the possessive form. For example, the possessive form of the plural noun “dogs” is “dogs’.”

It is important to note that possessive nouns can also be used to indicate a relationship between two nouns. In this case, the possessive noun is used to show that one noun belongs to or is associated with another noun. For example, “John’s car” indicates that the car belongs to John.

Overall, understanding the difference between plural and possessive nouns is important for clear and effective communication.

Common Mistakes with Plural Nouns

When it comes to forming the plural of nouns, there are some common mistakes that people make. Here are a few things to keep in mind when forming plural nouns:

• Adding -s instead of -es: Some nouns, like “analysis,” have irregular plurals that require you to add -es instead of -s. For example, the plural of “analysis” is “analyses,” not “analysises.”
• Irregular plurals: Some nouns have irregular plurals that don’t follow the standard rules. For example, the plural of “child” is “children,” not “childs.” It’s important to learn these irregular plurals to avoid making mistakes.
• Pluralizing singular nouns that already end in -s: Some singular nouns already end in -s, like “bus” or “class.” When pluralizing these nouns, you need to add -es instead of just -s. For example, the plural of “bus” is “buses,” not “buss.”
• Pluralizing uncountable nouns: Some nouns, like “water” or “sand,” are uncountable and can’t be made plural. It’s important to know which nouns are uncountable to avoid making mistakes.

Remember, forming plurals correctly is important for clear and effective communication. By avoiding these common mistakes, you can ensure that your writing is accurate and professional.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the correct plural form of analysis?

The correct plural form of analysis is analyses. For example, “I conducted three analyses of the data.”

Should I use analysis or analyses?

It depends on whether you are referring to a single analysis or multiple analyses. If you are referring to a single study or examination, use analysis. If you are referring to multiple studies or examinations, use analyses.

Can you give an example of the word analysis used in a sentence?

Sure. “The data analysis revealed a significant correlation between the two variables.”

What is a synonym for analysis?

A synonym for analysis is examination, study, or evaluation.

The correct plural form of analysis in American English is analyses. For example, \"I conducted three analyses of the data.\"

"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What is the plural form of basis?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"

The plural form of basis is bases. For example, \"There are several bases for this argument.\"

"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What is the plural form of datum?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"

The plural form of datum is data. For example, \"The data show that there is a correlation.\"

"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What is the plural form of thesis?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"

The plural form of thesis is theses. For example, \"The theses presented in the paper were well-researched.\"

"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What is the plural form of stratum?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"

The plural form of stratum is strata. For example, \"The strata of rock reveal the geological history of the area.\"

"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What is the plural form of index?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"

The plural form of index is indices or indexes. Both forms are acceptable. For example, \"The indices of the stock market have been fluctuating.\" or \"The indexes in the back of the book are helpful for finding information.\"

• Recent Posts

• Ed Words: Expand Your Vocabulary and Improve Your Writing! - April 15, 2024
• List of Ethnicities and Their Cultures from Around the World - April 2, 2024
• Mastering English Writing: Essential Transitional Words for Body Paragraphs - March 25, 2024

Related posts:

• What is the Plural of Antenna? Learn the Subtleties in English Grammar
• Mastering the Plural of Basis: A Quick Guide for English Learners
• Plural of Bus: Navigating the Confusing World of Bus Plurals
• Plural of Church: From One Church to Many

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

Guest Essay

Why Is Biden Struggling? Because America Is Broken.

By Damon Linker

Mr. Linker, a former columnist at The Week, writes the newsletter Notes From the Middleground.

Seven months away from a rematch election pitting President Biden against former President Donald Trump, the incumbent is struggling. Mr. Biden suffers from persistently low approval ratings, he barely manages to tie Mr. Trump in national head-to-head polls and he lags behind the former president in most of the swing states where the election will be decided (despite some recent modestly encouraging movement in his direction).

The question is why.

When Mr. Biden’s defenders seek to answer the question, most of them tick off declining rates of inflation, historically low unemployment, strong economic growth, a list of legislative accomplishments and other evidence of a successful presidency. This suggests the problem is primarily a failure of communication — the thing flailing administrations always blame first, since it implies the path to improvement requires little more than doing a better job of “getting the message out” about how great the president is doing.

It’s usually wiser to listen to what voters are saying — beyond the obvious concerns about the president’s age.

Recently, Gallup released the latest edition of its longstanding survey measuring “satisfaction with the way things are going in the U.S.” Three out of four Americans (75 percent) claimed to be dissatisfied. The long-term trend tells a clear story: From the mid-1990s to late 2004, the level of satisfaction bounced around between 39 percent and 71 percent. But in the aftermath of the George W. Bush administration’s failure to find weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and during a yearslong violent insurgency challenging American military occupation of the country, numbers began to slide. They would reach a low of 9 percent satisfaction in October 2008, in the midst of the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression.

What followed was a very slow 12-year recovery of satisfaction across almost the entirety of the Obama and Trump administrations, with a post-2004 high of 45 percent reached in February 2020, on the eve of the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. By January 2021, the level of satisfaction was back down to 11 percent, just two points off its historical low. Under Joe Biden, Americans briefly became somewhat more upbeat — but figures have sunk again from the mid-30s to the high teens and low 20s in recent months.

These findings mirror what other pollsters have found when they asked respondents about whether they think the country is on the right or wrong track, and about their trust in government and confidence in American institutions . The latter number has been slowly falling since the 1960s, but it, too, really began to collapse in 2004, eventually reaching the low 30s by 2007. In 2023, just 26 percent of Americans expressed confidence in our institutions.

In January 2021, Alana Newhouse published an essay in Tablet, “Everything Is Broken,” that gave voice to this incredibly widespread (but underreported) sentiment. Why did so many people in the United States believe that, as Ms. Newhouse put it in a follow-up essay , “whole parts of American society were breaking down before our eyes”?

The examples are almost too numerous to list: a disastrous war in Iraq; a ruinous financial crisis followed by a decade of anemic growth when most of the new wealth went to those who were already well off; a shambolic response to the deadliest pandemic in a century; a humiliating withdrawal from Afghanistan; rising prices and interest rates; skyrocketing levels of public and private debt; surging rates of homelessness and the spread of tent encampments in American cities; undocumented migrants streaming over the southern border; spiking rates of gun violence, mental illness, depression, addiction, suicide, chronic illness and obesity, coupled with a decline in life expectancy.

That’s an awful lot of failure over the past 20-odd years. Yet for the most part, the people who run our institutions have done very little to acknowledge or take responsibility for any of it, let alone undertake reforms that aim to fix what’s broken. That’s no doubt why angry anti-establishment populism has become so prominent in our politics over the past decade — with Mr. Trump, a political outsider, taking over the Republican Party in 2016 by running against the elites of both parties, and Senator Bernie Sanders giving the establishment favorite Hillary Clinton a run for her money that same year by taking on the banking and finance sectors of the economy, along with their Democratic and Republican enablers.

Mr. Biden has never been that kind of politician. Most of the time he speaks and acts as if he thinks American institutions are doing perfectly fine — at least so long as Mr. Trump doesn’t get his hands on them. Part of that is undoubtedly because Mr. Biden is an incumbent, and incumbents always find themselves having to defend what they’ve done in office, which isn’t compatible with acting like an insurgent going to war against the system.

Then there’s the fact that Mr. Biden has worked within our elected institutions since the Nixon administration, making him deeply invested in them (and implicated in their failures). Finally, as a Democrat who came of age during the heyday of mid-20th-century liberalism, Mr. Biden is wedded to the idea of using a functional, competent and capable federal government to improve people’s lives — whether or not more recent history validates that faith.

This places him badly out of step with the national mood, speaking a language very far removed from the talk of a broken country that suffuses Mr. Trump’s meandering and often unhinged remarks on the subject. The more earnest statements of the third-party candidates Robert F. Kennedy Jr. , Cornel West and Jill Stein also speak to aspects of our brokenness, taking ample and often nostalgic note of what’s gone wrong and promising bold, if vague, action to begin an effort of repair.

That leaves Mr. Biden as the lone institutionalist defender of the status quo surrounded by a small army of brokenists looking for support from an electorate primed to respond to their more downcast message.

There may be limits to what Mr. Biden can do to respond. For one thing, his 81-year-old frailty can’t help appearing to mirror the fragile state of our public institutions. For another, in an era of political bad feeling, when presidential approval ratings sink quickly and never recover, incumbents from both parties may no longer enjoy the kind of advantage in seeking re-election that they once did, at least at the national level.

Still, there are things the Biden campaign could do to help the president better connect with voters.

First, he should stop being so upbeat — about the economy in particular — and making the election entirely about the singular awfulness of his opponent. While the latter sounds evasive, the former makes the president seem hopelessly out of touch and risks antagonizing people who aren’t in the mood for a chipper message.

Mr. Biden should instead try to meet Americans where they are. He should admit Washington has gotten a lot of things wrong over the past two decades and sound unhappy about and humbled by it. He could make the argument that all governments make mistakes because they are run by fallible human beings — but also point out that elected representatives in a democracy should be upfront about error and resolve to learn from mistakes so that they avoid them in the future. Just acknowledging how much in America is broken could generate a lot of good will from otherwise skeptical and dismissive voters.

Even better would be an effort to develop a reform agenda: Mr. Biden could declare it’s long past time for America to put its house in order, to begin cleaning up the messes of the past two decades, to face our problems and return to our own best national self. He might even think of adapting and repurposing for the center-left a few lines from Ronald Reagan’s first Inaugural Address : “It’s not my intention to do away with government. It is rather to make it work — work with us, not over us; to stand by our side, not ride on our back. Government can and must provide opportunity, not smother it; foster productivity, not stifle it.”

In concrete terms, this means pledging to reform existing institutions and programs, not promising to build new ones on top of the ambitious legislation and substantial spending Congress passed during Mr. Biden’s first two years in office. It means, instead, a commitment to pause and begin assessing what government has been doing at all levels, under both Republican and Democratic leadership, over the past two decades.

It means, more specifically, a resolution to continue and expand existing reviews into what worked and what didn’t during the pandemic — in red states and blue states, in cities, suburbs and small towns — in order to prepare for a better response the next time we confront a public-health emergency. It means talking honestly about the surging and unsustainable national debt and what it will take to begin reining it in. It means trying to help government function better, including a concerted effort to increase state capacity , eliminate regulations that constrain the nation’s housing supply and build on the administration’s attempts at permitting reform to streamline or remove regulations that slow down and increase the cost of private as well as public development.

These projects will far outlast a second Biden term. But the president can promise to get them started, with the remaining work to be completed by presidents and generations to come.

Taking this approach may help to neutralize the populist advantages Mr. Trump enjoys (at least when he isn’t running as an incumbent). However much voters appreciate his denunciations of a corrupt and rigged system, as well as his management of the economy over the first three years of his presidency, they have no love for the G.O.P.’s obsession with pairing cuts to entitlement programs and upper-income tax rates with draconian restrictions on abortion — not to mention Mr. Trump’s focus on personal grievances and legal recklessness. That leaves plenty of room for Mr. Biden to make a case for himself as the guy who can enact the sweeping reforms American needs, and without all the unnecessary and dangerous drama a second Trump administration would surely bring.

Everything is broken — or so it feels to many of our fellow citizens. Denying this reality only empowers populist candidates whose message acquires its potency by pointing to an entrenched political establishment unwilling or unable to learn from (or even admit) its myriad mistakes. That shirking needs to stop. And it should do so with Joe Biden.

Damon Linker, who writes the newsletter “ Notes From the Middleground ,” is a senior lecturer in the department of political science at the University of Pennsylvania and a senior fellow at the Open Society Project at the Niskanen Center.

The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. We’d like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips . And here’s our email: [email protected] .

Follow the New York Times Opinion section on Facebook , Instagram , TikTok , WhatsApp , X and Threads .