How to refer to specified 'criteria', as singular or plural?

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“Criteria” versus “criterion”

Criteria is a word which defines collective recommendations for any entity.

I was drafting an email to my client where I wanted to say "are these criteria same which are defined in the previous email?" and it clicked.

Will it be:

Are these criteria same which IS defined?

or

Are these criteria same which ARE defined?

because to my understanding, I am referring to the word 'criteria' which sounds singular?

Also, how can I miss 'Criterion'? What would be correct usage?

PS: I have sent email which says "are these criteria same which ARE defined in the previous email".

I like to keep my grammar refined whilst communicating with someone. Please advice.

Where to start... Try: "Are these the same criteria that were defined in the previous email." or "Are these criteria the same as those defined in the previous email." — Jim, Aug 16 '12 at 06:30
It's always plural. The singular is "criterion". But there is more amiss in your sentence. Refer to Jim's two excellent suggestions above. — , Aug 16 '12 at 06:35
Thanks @Jim I figured the workaround for this but, my question is about using the word 'are' or 'is'.. suppose, I am speaking in a flow where I cannot go back and correct? — Keval Domadia, Aug 16 '12 at 06:36
If you can't go back and correct you are stuck with what you wrote. Did you notice that both my suggestions used 'Are'? — Jim, Aug 16 '12 at 06:39
It is hard to tell what you are actually trying to ask when you write "Also, how can I miss 'Criterion'? What would be correct usage?" When you correct the errors in the rest of the post, please be sure to make those questions more clear. — Cameron, Aug 16 '12 at 06:42
Besides question #12357 that has two answers that point out criteria is plural and criterion is singular (so criteria requires a plural verb form), see Is “criterions” a valid plural for “criterion”? and Number that should be used here which have answers noting the same thing: use “criteria … are” or “criterion … is”. — James Waldby - jwpat7, Aug 16 '12 at 06:48

score 13 · Accepted Answer · edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:38

13

Criteria is plural. Criterion is its singular. As answers to this question note, it is apparently becoming acceptable to use the word criteria as both the singular as well as the plural form. But, it is unlikely that anybody here is going to recommend that you do so.

You would ask,

Are these criteria the same as those defined in the previous e-mail?

If you are asking about a singular criterion,

Is this criterion the same as the one defined in the previous e-mail?

FYI, "a word which defines collective recommendations for any entity" is not the definition of criterion.

edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:38

Community

1

answered Aug 16 '12 at 06:35

coleopterist

31,031

1

The use of criteria as a singular is usually when the word is being used loosely, especially in connection with an unknown number of other criteria. Criteria can also be refered to in singular form when talking about the multiple criteria as a pool. – Chris Aug 16 '12 at 06:56
And the answer to the criteria question may be "Some are, and some are not." – bib Aug 16 '12 at 13:07

How to refer to specified 'criteria', as singular or plural?

1 Answers1