What is the Plural of “Synthesis”? A Complete Guide

Understanding the plural of synthesis is a common challenge for learners of the English language, especially in academic and professional settings. The word synthesis appears frequently in fields like chemistry, biology, philosophy, and academic writing, where precision matters. Yet many people still wonder: What is the correct plural form of synthesis? This confusion often comes from the fact that synthesis does not follow the usual pluralization rules seen in everyday nouns.

In this complete guide, we’ll clearly explain the definition of synthesis, its singular and plural forms, and why the correct plural is syntheses, not synthesises or synthesiss. You’ll also learn how this word fits into grammar rules, why it belongs to a group of Greek-origin nouns, and how to use it confidently in sentences. With clear examples, simple explanations, and real-world context, this guide removes all doubt.

Whether you’re a student, researcher, writer, or someone simply looking to improve your English grammar, mastering the pluralization of synthesis will strengthen your language skills. By the end of this article, you’ll not only know the correct answer but also understand the pattern behind it—making similar words much easier to handle in the future.

Table of Contents

Understanding the Word “Synthesis”

At its core, synthesis means combining parts to form a whole. In science, it often refers to chemical or biological processes where elements or compounds merge. In literature or philosophy, it describes blending ideas, concepts, or theories.

The word originates from Greek—σύνθεσις (synthesis), meaning “placing together.” This origin explains why the plural form doesn’t follow the usual English rules. Knowing where a word comes from often provides clues about its spelling, pronunciation, and usage.

Examples in context:

Scientific: “The synthesis of the compound took several hours.”
Literary: “Her essay offered a compelling synthesis of historical and modern perspectives.”
Philosophical: “The synthesis of mind and matter is central to his theory.”

Understanding the meaning helps us use the word correctly in both singular and plural forms.

Basic Rules of Forming Plurals in English

English pluralization is straightforward for most nouns: add -s or -es. For example:

Book → Books
Bus → Buses

However, words that end in -is, especially those from Greek or Latin, follow a special rule: change -is → -es. Here are some common examples:

Analysis → Analyses
Thesis → Theses
Crisis → Crises

The word synthesis belongs to this group. That means its plural is formed by replacing -is with -es, not by adding -s. This is why the plural is syntheses, not “synthesises.”

The Correct Plural of “Synthesis”

The correct plural form is syntheses.

Pronunciation: /ˈsɪnθɪsiːz/

Many writers confuse it with the verb form “synthesizes”, which is entirely different. The verb means “to combine elements” (e.g., “She synthesizes the data for her report”). The noun plural, syntheses, simply refers to multiple instances of synthesis.

Here’s a quick reference table:

Singular	Plural	Example Sentence (Singular)	Example Sentence (Plural)
synthesis	syntheses	The synthesis of ideas was remarkable.	The syntheses of different studies agree.
analysis	analyses	The analysis revealed key patterns.	The analyses confirmed the hypothesis.
thesis	theses	Her thesis explored climate change.	His theses addressed multiple topics.

Notice how the -is → -es pattern applies consistently.

Why the Plural is “Syntheses”

The plural syntheses comes directly from Greek grammar rules. Words ending in -is in Greek typically change to -es in plural. This rule also applies to words like crisis → crises and axis → axes.

Step-by-step breakdown:

Identify the singular noun ending: synthesis → -is
Replace -is with -es: synthesis → syntheses
Check pronunciation: stress remains on the first syllable (/ˈsɪnθ/), ending sounds like “seez.”

Exceptions are rare, but the key takeaway is that Greek-derived nouns often follow this pattern.

Common Mistakes and Misconceptions

Even native speakers trip over syntheses. Here are the most frequent errors:

Writing synthesises – this is actually a verb form, not a noun plural.
Confusing singular and plural in academic papers.
Mispronouncing it as /ˈsɪnθɪsɪs/ instead of /ˈsɪnθɪsiːz/.

Examples of mistakes in context:

❌ “The synthesises of these reports show inconsistencies.”
✅ “The syntheses of these reports show inconsistencies.”

Pay attention to context: if it’s a noun, syntheses; if it’s an action, synthesizes.

How to Remember the Correct Plural

Here are some memory tips to avoid confusion:

Mnemonic: “Synthesis becomes syntheses, just like analysis → analyses.”
Pattern recognition: Look for Greek/Latin nouns ending in -is → plural -es.
Visual cue: Imagine the singular noun splitting into multiple pieces, becoming syntheses.
Practice writing examples: Reinforce with sentences in science, literature, and philosophy.

Using “Syntheses” Correctly in Sentences

Scientific examples:

“The syntheses in the lab were completed successfully.”
“Different syntheses produce slightly varied compounds.”

Literary examples:

“The author’s syntheses of classic and modern texts reveal new insights.”
“Multiple syntheses of thematic elements create a richer narrative.”

Philosophical examples:

“The syntheses of mind and matter underpin this theory.”
“We must compare the syntheses proposed by different schools of thought.”

Using the word confidently in multiple contexts ensures your writing appears polished and precise.

Related Words and Plurals

Many English words follow the same -is → -es pattern. Recognizing them helps prevent mistakes:

Singular	Plural	Example Sentence (Plural)
analysis	analyses	The analyses of the data were thorough.
thesis	theses	The student submitted three theses last year.
crisis	crises	The city faced multiple economic crises.
axis	axes	The graph shows all axes clearly.
parenthesis	parentheses	Add the missing parentheses in the formula.

Once you see the pattern, it’s easier to apply it across different words.

Quick Quiz: Test Your Knowledge

Try filling in the blanks with the correct plural:

The chemical ______ (synthesis) in the experiment were precise.
The historical ______ (analysis) of events is ongoing.
Several philosophical ______ (thesis) challenge the mainstream view.

Answers:

syntheses
analyses
theses

Conclusion

Understanding the plural of synthesis is an important step toward mastering English grammar, especially in academic writing and scientific communication. While many English nouns form plurals by adding -s or -es, synthesis follows a different rule because it comes from Greek-origin words. The correct plural form is syntheses, not synthesises or synthesis.

By learning the singular and plural forms, recognizing the grammar rules, and seeing real examples in sentences, you can use this word with confidence in fields like chemistry, biology, research writing, and literature. Once you understand this pattern, other similar nouns—such as analysis and thesis—become much easier to handle. Clear grammar leads to clearer communication, and small details like correct pluralization make a big difference.

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