What is analysis? Pronunciation and usage in English

analysis means . Learn how to pronounce and use analysis through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of analysis

analysisnoun

/əˈnalɪsɪs/
Definition & pronunciation of analysis

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "analysis" in English. It's a tricky one for many learners! Here's a breakdown:

The most common and accepted pronunciation is:

/ˈæ næləsɪs/

Let's break that down syllable by syllable:

  • ˈæ - This is the stressed syllable. It sounds like the "a" in "cat" or "apple". It’s a broad ‘a’ sound, not a short ‘a’ like in “hat”.
  • næ - This sounds like "na" as in "nap". It’s a nasal sound, meaning the air passes through your nose as you pronounce it. Make sure you feel a slight vibration in your nose.
  • lə - This sounds like "luh". It's a short, unstressed "uh" sound.
  • sɪs - This sounds like "sis" as in "sister." It's a very quick, light "s" sound followed by a short "ih" sound like in “sit”.

Putting it all together:

It sounds something like: "An-uh-LYE-sis"

Tips for getting it right:

  • Nasal Sound: Really focus on the "næ" sound. Practicing saying "can" and "man" will help you feel the vibration in your nose.
  • Stress: Emphasize the first syllable ("ˈæ").
  • Don't over-articulate: The 's' in "sis" shouldn’t be drawn out.

Resources to Listen:

  • Google Translate: Type "analysis" into Google Translate and click the speaker icon. This will give you a good native pronunciation.
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/analysis/ – Forvo is a website where native speakers record pronunciations.

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Give you some example sentences using “analysis”?

Usage and examples with the word analysis in English

Let's break down how to use the word "analysis" effectively in English. It's a versatile word with a few different nuances.

1. As a Noun (The Most Common Use)

  • Definition: An analysis is a careful and systematic examination of something to understand its nature, structure, or meaning. It's about breaking something down into its components and figuring out how they relate.

  • Examples:

    • “The detective performed an analysis of the crime scene evidence.” (Examining evidence)
    • “A thorough analysis of the company’s finances revealed significant problems.” (Examining financial data)
    • “She conducted a psychological analysis of the patient’s behavior.” (Examining behavior patterns)
    • “The report included a detailed analysis of market trends.” (Examining trends)
    • “I need to do an analysis of my writing to improve my clarity.” (Examining your own work)

2. As a Verb (Meaning "To Examine Carefully")

  • Definition: To analyze means to examine something carefully and in detail, typically to explain and interpret it.

  • Examples:

    • “Scientists are analyzing the data collected from the experiment.” (They’re examining the data)
    • “The historian analyzed the historical documents to understand the event.” (He’s examining the documents)
    • “I’m going to analyze my strengths and weaknesses before applying for this job.” (I’m examining myself)
    • “The software will analyze your input and generate a report.” (The software will examine your input)

3. Related Concepts & Phrases

  • Critical Analysis: This involves evaluating something – assessing its strengths, weaknesses, validity, and significance. It’s often about forming a judgment or opinion.

    • “A critical analysis of the film revealed several inaccuracies.”

  • Data Analysis: This specifically refers to examining data to identify patterns, trends, and insights. Very common in fields like statistics, science, and business.

    • “The researchers performed data analysis to determine the correlation between smoking and lung cancer.”

  • SWOT Analysis: A popular business tool that stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. It's a type of analysis used for strategic planning.

    • “We conducted a SWOT analysis to assess our competitive advantage.”

  • Qualitative Analysis: This deals with non-numerical data – things like interviews, observations, and text. It's about understanding why things are happening.

    • "The researcher used qualitative analysis to interpret the participants' responses to the questionnaire."

4. Tips for Using “Analysis” Correctly

  • Be Specific: “Analysis” is a broad term. Try to be specific about what you’re analyzing. Instead of just saying “I did an analysis,” say “I analyzed the sales figures.”

  • Show How You Analyzed: Don't just state that you did an analysis; briefly describe the process. For example: "I analyzed the data using statistical software..." or "I analyzed the text by looking for recurring themes..."

  • Connect to the Outcome: Explain what you found as a result of your analysis. “The analysis revealed that…” or “As a result of the analysis, we decided to…”

Resources for More Information:

To help me tailor this explanation even further to your needs, could you tell me:

  • What context are you thinking about using "analysis" in? (e.g., academic writing, business reports, personal reflection, etc.)
  • Is there a specific type of analysis you’re interested in learning more about? (e.g., data analysis, literary analysis, SWOT analysis?)

Synonyms for the word analysis

Idioms of the word analysis

in the final/last analysis
used to say what is most important after everything has been discussed, or considered
  • In the final analysis, it's a matter of personal choice.

Practice with vocabulary analysis

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The research team conducted a detailed _______ to determine the cause of the problem.
  2. She presented her findings after a thorough _______ of the data.
  3. The committee emphasized the importance of _______ planning to avoid delays.
  4. His _______ of the situation was highly praised by the board members.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. What is the process of examining data to draw conclusions?
    a. Interpretation
    b. Analysis
    c. Synthesis
    d. Observation

  2. Which term is often used in scientific research to describe the breakdown of complex information?
    a. Evaluation
    b. Analysis
    c. Summary
    d. Hypothesis

  3. The team needed to _______ the market trends before launching the product.
    a. observe
    b. analyze
    c. describe
    d. predict

  4. Which word refers to the act of making judgments about the value of something?
    a. Analysis
    b. Assessment
    c. Interpretation
    d. Comparison

  5. What is the primary focus of a financial _______?
    a. report
    b. analysis
    c. forecast
    d. review

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: The study involved examining the results to identify patterns.
    Rewritten: The study involved an analysis of the results to identify patterns.

  2. Original: The team evaluated the project's success.
    Rewritten: The team conducted an analysis of the project's success.

  3. Original: Detailed examination of the data revealed new insights.
    Rewritten: A thorough review of the data revealed new insights.

Answer

Exercise 1:

  1. analysis
  2. analysis
  3. effective
  4. interpretation

Exercise 2:

  1. b. Analysis
  2. b. Analysis
  3. b. analyze
  4. b. Assessment
  5. b. analysis

Exercise 3:

  1. The study involved an analysis of the results to identify patterns.
  2. The team conducted an analysis of the project's success.
  3. A thorough review of the data revealed new insights.

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