To analyze is a verb that means to “examine the nature or structure of something”; but should it be spelled analyze or analyse?
Analyze vs. analyse
The word analyze (which is the verb form of the noun, analysis), has two common spellings that vary according to US English and UK English rules:
The scientists analyzed the data carefully.
The researcher analysed the results before publishing.
She analysed the sample incorrectly.
They have analysied the evidence.
- UK English spells “analyse” with “-yse” at the end.
- US English spells “analyze” “-yze” at the end.
| UK English | US English |
| Learn to step back and critically analyse situations. | We need to analyze what went wrong. |
Words ending in “-yze” or “ize” / “-ise” or “-yse”
| Word Form | Examples |
|---|---|
| Other | UK English US English analyse realise paralyse breathalyse Learn to step back and critically analyze/analyse situations. The first step is to define and analyze/analyse the problem. The water samples will be analyzed/analysed for the presence of polluting chemicals. The job involves collecting and analyzing/analysing data. |
“analyze” (US) vs. “analyse” (UK), associate the “z” in analyze with American English and the “y” in analyse with British English.
Sentences with analyze/analyse in the media
| Word Form | Examples |
|---|---|
| Other | The professionals performed their life-saving techniques while calmly talking and analyzing the scene.
—Al Gaspeny, arkansasonline.com, 2 Feb. 2024 —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 1 Feb. 2024 On the Vision Pro, Copilot will be able to hear your voice, write, generate content, and analyze data, according to Microsoft. —Kate Irwin, PCMAG, 1 Feb. 2024 |
Synonyms of analyze
As in examine or determine:
- consider
- evaluate
- interpret
- scrutinize
- spell out
- figure out
As in break down:
- determine
- dissect
- parse
- resolve
Origin of the word analyze
From Etymonline:
|
c. 1600, of material things, “to dissect, take to pieces,” from French analyser, from the noun analyse “analysis” (see analysis). The general sense of “to examine closely” dates from 1809; the psychological sense is by 1909. Related: Analyzed; analyzing. |
Learn more about US English vs. UK English
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- Color or Colour (Which is Correct?)
- Favour or Favor (Which is Correct?)
Sources
- “Apple Vision Pro Bug Possibly ‘Exploited’ Before Patch Rollout” Kate Irwin, PCMAG, 1 Feb. 2024
- “Computer modeling is tracing the hidden evolution of sign languages“, Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 1 Feb. 2024
Worksheet
According to the blog post, what is the primary difference between “analyze” and “analyse”?
What does the verb “analyze” (or “analyse”) mean, according to the post?
Which ending is typically used for the verb “analyze” in US English?
Which ending is typically used for the verb “analyse” in UK English?
According to the post, which is an incorrect spelling for the past tense of “analyze” in US English?
The scientists the data carefully. (Choose the correct US spelling of the past tense)
The researcher the results before publishing. (Choose the correct UK spelling of the past tense)
The job involves collecting and data. (Choose the correct US spelling of the present participle)
Learn to step back and critically situations. (Choose the correct UK spelling of the base verb)
We need to what went wrong. (Choose the correct US spelling of the base verb)
FAQs
How are analyze/analyse different?
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What spelling does US English use?
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What spelling does UK English use?
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Other forms of analyze/analyse?
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How to remember US vs UK spelling?
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Yash, D. "Analyze or Analyse? (Explained & Examples)." Grammarflex, Jun 24, 2025, https://www.grammarflex.com/analyze-or-analyse-explained-examples/.
