Basic Details
Word: Analysis
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: A careful study of something by looking closely at each of its parts, in order to understand it or explain it.
Synonyms: study, examination, investigation, evaluation
Antonyms: synthesis
Word origin: Comes from Greek analusis, from analuein, to unloose or break up.
How to Spell Analysis
Syllables: a - nal - y - sis
Tricky part: The vowel after l is y, not i, and the word ends in sis. There is only one n and one l.
Watch out for: analisis, analysys, anallysis
Memory tip: Lysis means loosening or breaking up in Greek, and analysis breaks a thing into its parts: ana + lysis, with the y of lysis.
Usage Examples
Example 1: The coach did an analysis of every ball the bowler sent down.
Example 2: A blood analysis showed that she needed more iron.
Example 3: Our science project needs a careful analysis of the soil samples.
Fun Fact
The plural of analysis is analyses, with the last part said like sees, in the same way that crisis becomes crises.
Practise the CREST Way
Spell-o-Spell
Only one of these words is spelt correctly. Choose its meaning:
1. hypothisis 2. analysis 3. paralisis 4. emphasys
a) an idea that can be tested by an experiment
b) special importance given to something
c) a careful study of something by looking at its parts
d) loss of the power to move
Show answer
c) a careful study of something by looking at its parts. Hypothesis needs an e, paralysis a y and emphasis an i in its last part, so only analysis is right.
Word Cookie
Find the extra letter in the word:
anallysis
a) y
b) s
c) a
d) l
Show answer
d) l. There is only one l in analysis, as in canal.
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word analysis as used in the sentence:
The scientist's analysis of the river water showed high levels of plastic.
a) guess
b) examination
c) rumour
d) decoration
Show answer
b) examination. An examination looks at something closely, as an analysis does.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which of these is a kind of analysis?
a) checking a sample under a microscope
b) singing a song at the school concert
c) sleeping early on a school night
d) eating an apple after lunch
Show answer
a) checking a sample under a microscope
2. Which word is the verb from analysis?
a) analogy
b) analyse
c) analyst
d) analytical
Show answer
b) analyse
