What’s the plural of “criteria”?
The primary criterion for selection was experience.
All of the criteria must be met for your application to be considered.
The main criteria is cost.
We only need one criteria to make a decision.
Criteria, which are a “standard or principle by which something is judged”, is a plural noun. Criterion is the singular of criteria. While originally a Greek word, criterion/criteria evidently bear Latin traits: see phenomenon/phenomena, or medium/media. Likewise, criterion replaces the –on as a singular noun with the standard –a as a plural. This modification from the singular to plural is irregular in English, and probably why the plural/singular of criteria/criterion is often mistaken.
Other Latin nouns that end in -on/-a
Though originally a Greek word, criteria/criterion has taken on its Latin form in English, and show Latin suffixes of –on/-a in its singular and plural noun forms respectively. Similar to other irregular nouns that show Latin origin, and are still used in Modern English today.
| singular | plural |
|---|---|
| phenomenon | phenomena or phenomenons |
| criterion | criteria |
| bacterion | bacteria |
| medium | media |
| datum | data |
| spectrum | spectra or spectrums |
What’s the definition of criteria?
The dictionary defines criteria/criterion as “a standard of judgment or criticism; a rule or principle for evaluating or testing something.”
“criteria” is plural, visualize a list of multiple selection criteria, each a separate item.
Examples of criterion used in context
1. The main criterion for joining the country club is one’s ability to pay the sizeable annual fee.
2. A criterion for being successful in high school is the ability to properly manage time.
3. The most important criterion for entry is that applicants must design and make their own work
4. Senior managers stipulated work-life balance as their main criterion when choosing jobs.
5. But cost should not be the criterion for providing that care.
Examples of criteria used in context
1. By these criteria nobody would ever want to be a manager.
2. If you fail to meet their narrow criteria, out goes the rejection letter.
3. Researchers set out some simple criteria and began their gargantuan task.
4. When I saw the criteria for getting into an Ivy League school, I decided to go to a local college instead.
5. Talent is at the bottom of the list of criteria needed to become a pop star.
Origin of the word criteria
c. 1600 from Latin criteria, from “a standard of judgment or criticism, rule by which opinion or conduct can be tested,” 1660s, from Latinized form of Greek kriterion “means for judging, standard,” from krites “judge.”
What’s the difference between they’re, their, and there?
Sources
Work Sheet
What is the singular form of the noun “criteria”?
According to the post, which word is the plural form?
Which sentence correctly uses the noun “criteria” with the appropriate verb?
Which sentence correctly uses the singular form when referring to a single standard?
The post notes that “criterion” / “criteria” follow a pattern similar to other words, changing ‘-on’ to ‘-a’ for the plural. Which pair below follows a similar pattern listed in the post?
The primary for selection was experience.
All of the must be met for your application to be considered.
The main for success is dedication.
These are used to evaluate the proposals.
One key for entry is a valid ID.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “criteria” singular or plural?
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What is the singular of “criteria”?
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How do you correctly use “criteria”?
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How do you correctly use “criterion”?
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Why is criteria/criterion usage confusing?
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Yash, D. "Is Criteria Singular or Plural?." Grammarflex, Jun 20, 2025, https://www.grammarflex.com/criteria-singular-or-plural/.
