Criteria vs Criterion: Which One Do You Need?
Criterion is one standard. Criteria is more than one.
A single criterion. Three criteria.
The test that settles it
Count them. One takes criterion; two or more take criteria. The verb has to agree.
“the only ___ that matters” → one, so criterion.
“the ___ are set out below” → several, so criteria.
The pattern matches phenomenon / phenomena, from the same Greek ending.
Criterion: the singular
One standard by which something is judged. It takes a singular verb.
Cost was the deciding criterion.
A single criterion cannot capture quality.
What criterion are you using?
Could you put one in front? Then criterion.
Criteria: the plural
Two or more standards. It takes a plural verb: the criteria are, never the criteria is.
The criteria are listed in the appendix.
Applicants must meet all six criteria.
These criteria have changed.
Could you put a number greater than one in front? Then criteria.
Side by side
| Criteria | Criterion |
|---|---|
| Plural | Singular |
| criteria are | criterion is |
| Two or more | Exactly one |
| All the criteria | The main criterion |
The exceptions
The criteria is clear is common in speech and increasingly in writing, on the model of ordinary English nouns.
It is still corrected in edited prose, and using criterion for one costs nothing.
Phenomenon / phenomena, datum / data and medium / media follow the same Greek and Latin plurals — and all of them are drifting the same way.
Where people get it wrong
| Incorrect | Correct | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The criteria is straightforward. | The criterion is straightforward. | One standard. |
| a criteria for selection | a criterion for selection | A means one. |
| Each criteria carries equal weight. | Each criterion carries equal weight. | Each is singular. |
| criterias | criteria | The plural is already plural. |
Practice — choose the right word, then check yourself.
- The five ___ are weighted equally.
- Price is not the only ___.
- Which ___ did you apply?
- All the ___ have been met.
- A single ___ decided it.
Show the answers
1. criteria 2. criterion 3. criterion 4. criteria 5. criterion
Frequently asked
Is criterias ever right?
No. Criteria is already the plural, so adding -s doubles it.
What about data?
Strictly the plural of datum, but it is now standard as a mass noun in most fields: the data shows. Scientific writing often keeps the plural.
More words people confuse
