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:
- 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”
| UK English | US English |
| analyse | analyze |
| realise | realize |
| paralyse | paralyze |
| breathalyse | breathalyze |
Other forms of analyze
| forms of “analyze“ (verb) | (US spellings) analyzed, analyzing, analyzes (UK spellings) analysed, analysing, analyses |
| forms of “analysis” (noun) | analyst |
| adjective | analytic |
Sentences with analyze/analyse
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.
Sentences with analyze/analyse in the media
The professionals performed their life-saving techniques while calmly talking and analyzing the scene.
—Al Gaspeny, arkansasonline.com, 2 Feb. 2024
To help correct this long standing issue, researchers recently created a novel computational program capable of analyzing the relationships between various SLs.
—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
- Which is it: “Favorite” or “Favourite”?
- Is it Spelled Metre or Meter?
- Which is Correct: Honour or Honor?
- Is it “Behaviour” or “Behavior”?
- Is it “Labour” or “Labor”?
- 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
