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Plural of Thesis

The Quick Answer

The Plural of Thesis

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Table of Contents

Are You Good at Plurals?

The standard rules for forming the plurals, why is there confusion over the plural of thesis.

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plural of thesis

This page was written by Craig Shrives .

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English Teacher Site

Whats the Plural of Thesis: Understanding Singular and Plural Forms

  • The plural of “thesis” adheres to the Greek-rooted pattern, changing the singular -is to a plural -es.
  • Accurate use of “thesis” and “theses” reflects scholarly precision in both written and oral communication.
  • Awareness of correct pluralization extends to other similar nouns ending in -sis, emphasizing the importance of understanding language origins.

It is crucial to use the word correctly in both singular and plural contexts to maintain the integrity of written and spoken communication. In the realm of academics, precision in language reflects the rigor of one’s research and argumentation. As such, understanding the transformation from “thesis” to its plural counterpart is more than a trivial detail; it reflects a deeper appreciation for the structure and history of the English language.

What’s the Plural of Thesis?

The proper plural of thesis is “theses.” This transformation is part of a broader pattern in the English language where certain nouns change their ending to reflect a plural state.

Below, a comparison is made to illustrate the standard singular to plural transformation for nouns ending in -is:

Key Points about the pluralization of “thesis”:

  • The plural follows a specific rule of changing the ‘-is’ ending to ‘-es’.
  • This pattern is consistent with other Greek-derived words.
  • The pronunciation changes with the plural form, ending in “-eez.”

To clarify usage, consider these examples:

  • Singular: The student’s thesis was commended for its clarity.
  • Plural: The professor read all the submitted theses before the conference.

Singular Form of Thesis

The singular form of ‘thesis’ is of notable interest due to its origins and distinct pluralization.

Origination and Definition:

  • Etymology : Derived from the ancient Greek word τίθημι (tithēmi), which means “to put” or “to place.”
  • Meaning : It is a statement or theory put forward to be maintained or proved.

Usage in Academia:

  • A significant piece of writing prepared by a student to obtain a university degree or diploma.
  • Often involves original research and substantiates a particular view or argument.

Table 1: Notable Features of ‘Thesis’

Table 2: Contextual Examples

Definition of Thesis

A thesis is a substantial piece of scholarly writing that is typically required to obtain a master’s or doctoral degree. It represents the author’s research and findings in their chosen field of study. A thesis serves as evidence that the student has acquired the knowledge necessary to be considered a scholar in the field. Here, two key aspects of a thesis will be described through tables:

Purpose and Composition of a Thesis:

Characteristics of a Thesis:

  • Focused : It should have a clear, concise premise or central argument.
  • Researched : Employs rigorous methodologies to gather and analyze data.
  • Structured : Contains defined sections that present information logically.
  • Cited : Includes proper citations of sources that support or contrast the thesis.
  • Reviewed : Undergoes scrutiny by academic peers or supervisors.

Other Irregular Plural Nouns Ending in -sis/ses

Below you will find two tables categorized by common and less common irregular plurals that follow this pattern.

Common Irregular Plurals:

This pattern is often observed with words that have Greek origins.

Less Common Irregular Plurals:

It is important to recognize these forms to maintain grammatical accuracy in writing and speech. Below is a list of examples used in sentences:

  • When multiple scientific hypotheses are tested, the results can lead to important discoveries.
  • During the editing process, Jane had to review all the parentheses to ensure clarity in her writing.
  • Geographers study multiple oases in the desert to understand these unique ecosystems.
  • His thesis on renewable energy was well-received, and many theses on the subject reference his work.

Examples of Thesis (Singular) in Sentences

Here are examples that demonstrate its usage in various sentences.

In Academic Context

In everyday discourse.

Informal setting : During the debate, his thesis was that space exploration is no longer just a dream but a necessity.

  • Discussing beliefs : Her thesis is that all public spaces should offer free Wi-Fi.
  • Opinion : They argued the thesis that high taxes discourage spending.

Examples of Theses (Plural) in Sentences

Here are some examples of how “theses” can be used in sentences:

Education Setting : Graduate students often struggle to find unique topics for their theses as most ideas have been extensively explored.

  • Evaluating the structure and arguments of different theses can help one build a stronger dissertation.

Origin of the Word Thesis

The term thesis originates from the ancient Greek word θέσις (thésis), which means “a proposition” . Historically, this term has played a crucial role in both rhetorical and academic contexts. It denotes a statement that a writer intends to support and prove. In academic circles, thesis often refers to a document that presents the author’s research and findings and is submitted in support of candidature for a degree or professional qualification.

Etymological Background

The journey of the word from its Greek roots to the modern English language reflects the changing dynamics of educational and scholarly practices over the centuries.

As a carryover from Greek to Latin, the word made its way into English, maintaining its original Greek plural form:

Usage in Academia

In academia, the word has been used since the late Middle Ages to denote a scholarly work written by students aiming to obtain a university degree. Over time, the use of thesis expanded from merely referring to a proposition to a lengthy document providing evidence of comprehensive research.

Historical Evolution:

  • Middle Ages : Referred to propositions for a degree.
  • Renaissance : Emphasized individual research.
  • Modern Usage : Extensive research documents for higher education degrees.

Areas of Impact:

  • Rhetoric : Considered as a premise to be argued.
  • Academic Research : Reflects comprehensive study in a field.

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Definition of thesis

Did you know.

In high school, college, or graduate school, students often have to write a thesis on a topic in their major field of study. In many fields, a final thesis is the biggest challenge involved in getting a master's degree, and the same is true for students studying for a Ph.D. (a Ph.D. thesis is often called a dissertation ). But a thesis may also be an idea; so in the course of the paper the student may put forth several theses (notice the plural form) and attempt to prove them.

Examples of thesis in a Sentence

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'thesis.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

in sense 3, Middle English, lowering of the voice, from Late Latin & Greek; Late Latin, from Greek, downbeat, more important part of a foot, literally, act of laying down; in other senses, Latin, from Greek, literally, act of laying down, from tithenai to put, lay down — more at do

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3a(1)

Dictionary Entries Near thesis

the sins of the fathers are visited upon the children

thesis novel

Cite this Entry

“Thesis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thesis. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

Kids definition of thesis, more from merriam-webster on thesis.

Nglish: Translation of thesis for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of thesis for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about thesis

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What’s the Plural of Thesis? (Thesises? Theses?)

  • November 13, 2022

thesis plural and singular

What’s the plural of “thesis”?

Thesis , (and its plural theses ) is an example of one of the many common English words that has roots elsewhere. In this case, thesis is a word that has roots all the way back to Ancient Greek. Like other similarly structured words: diagnosis , synthesis , analysis , oasis , crisis , nemesis and the like, thesis is by no means the only frequently used Greek word that’s made it to Modern English.

What’s the singular of thesis?

"Thesis" singular in sentences.

Thesis is a singular noun and refers to one thing (or one thesis ).

What’s a thesis?

Merriam-Webster defines the noun thesis (plural theses ) as follows, “a dissertation embodying results of original research and especially substantiating a specific view especially : one written by a candidate for an academic degree.”

thesis plural and singular

Nouns that end in -sis/ses

Thesis is an irregular plural noun that does not end in the typical -s / -es that regular plural noun forms take. This is so despite that theses plural does in fact end in the conventional -s/-es suffix. Why is it still considered irregular; then, given that it follows the regular plural form? Notice the following regular plural noun forms:

thesis plural and singular

Thesis / theses operates differently. With these Greek words, the -ses does not simply  add onto the end of the singular form of the noun; instead, -ses replaces the singular noun’s suffixes, and effectively changes the entire spelling of the word (and arguably the word itself.)

Examples of “thesis” (singular) in sentences

His master thesis was on modal neural networks.
She wrote her thesis on Renaissance Nativity scenes.
We disagreed with the basic thesis of the report.
I’ve made a first draft of my thesis .
The student’s experiments helped her formulate a thesis to share with her professor and classmates.

Examples of “theses” (plural) in sentences

It must not be assumed that Luther’s ninety-five theses produced any considerable direct results.
The collection of theses are ready for publication.
Twenty years after Savonarola’s death Martin Luther made public his theses against indulgences.
Theses are generally examined by two or more specialists.
Theses is the plural form of the singular noun thesis.

Origin of the word “thesis”

Thesis / theses are of Greek origin.

Read about other irregular nouns

  • What’s the plural of bison?
  • What’s the plural of moose?
  • What’s the plural of sheep?
  • What’s the plural of ox?
  • What’s the plural of cactus?
  • What’s the plural of crisis?
  • What’s the plural of hypothesis?

Read about other topics in grammar

  • What’re personal pronouns?
  • What’s the difference between they’re, their, and there?
  • Whose vs who’s?
  • Merriam-Webster, thesis/theses.

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  • 1.1 Etymology
  • 1.2 Pronunciation
  • 1.3.1 Derived terms
  • 1.3.2 Related terms
  • 1.3.3 Translations
  • 1.4 References
  • 1.5 Further reading
  • 1.6 Anagrams
  • 2.1 Etymology
  • 2.2 Pronunciation
  • 3.1 Etymology
  • 3.2 Pronunciation
  • 3.3.1 Declension
  • 3.3.2 Descendants
  • 3.4 References

English [ edit ]

Etymology [ edit ].

From Late Middle English thesis ( “ lowering of the voice ” ) [1] and also borrowed directly from its etymon Latin thesis ( “ proposition, thesis; lowering of the voice ” ) , from Ancient Greek θέσῐς ( thésis , “ arrangement, placement, setting; conclusion, position, thesis; lowering of the voice ” ) , from τῐ́θημῐ ( títhēmi , “ to place, put, set; to put down in writing; to consider as, regard ” ) [2] [3] (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *dʰeh₁- ( “ to do; to place, put ” ) ) + -σῐς ( -sis , suffix forming abstract nouns or nouns of action, process, or result ) . The English word is a doublet of deed .

Sense 1.1 (“proposition or statement supported by arguments”) is adopted from antithesis . [2] Sense 1.4 (“initial stage of reasoning”) was first used by the German philosopher Johann Gottlieb Fichte (1762–1814), and later applied to the dialectical method of his countryman, the philosopher Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel (1770–1831).

The plural form theses is borrowed from Latin thesēs , from Ancient Greek θέσεις ( théseis ) .

Pronunciation [ edit ]

  • ( Received Pronunciation ) IPA ( key ) : /ˈθiːsɪs/ , ( archaic ) /ˈθɛsɪs/
  • ( General American ) IPA ( key ) : /ˈθisɪs/
  • Rhymes: -iːsɪs
  • Hyphenation: the‧sis
  • ( Received Pronunciation ) IPA ( key ) : /ˈθiːsiːz/
  • ( General American ) IPA ( key ) : /ˈθisiz/
  • Rhymes: -iːsiːz
  • Hyphenation: the‧ses

Noun [ edit ]

thesis ( plural theses )

  • ( rhetoric ) A proposition or statement supported by arguments .
  • 1766 , [ Oliver Goldsmith ], “The Conclusion”, in The Vicar of Wakefield:   [ … ] , volume II, Salisbury, Wiltshire: [ … ] B. Collins, for F [ rancis ] Newbery ,   [ … ] , →OCLC ; reprinted London: Elliot Stock , 1885 , →OCLC , pages 218–219 : I told them of the grave, becoming, and ſublime deportment they ſhould aſſume upon this myſtical occaſion, and read them two homilies and a theſis of my own compoſing, in order to prepare them.
  • ( mathematics , computer science ) A conjecture , especially one too vague to be formally stated or verified but useful as a working convention.
  • ( logic ) An affirmation , or distinction from a supposition or hypothesis .
  • ( philosophy ) In the dialectical method of Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel : the initial stage of reasoning where a formal statement of a point is developed ; this is followed by antithesis and synthesis .
  • ( music , prosody , originally ) The action of lowering the hand or bringing down the foot when indicating a rhythm ; hence, an accented part of a measure of music or verse indicated by this action; an ictus , a stress . Antonym: arsis
  • ( music , prosody , with a reversal of meaning ) A depression of the voice when pronouncing a syllables of a word ; hence, the unstressed part of the metrical foot of a verse upon which such a depression falls , or an unaccented musical note .

Derived terms [ edit ]

  • all but thesis
  • bachelor's thesis
  • Church-Turing thesis
  • conflict thesis
  • doctoral thesis
  • graduate thesis
  • Habakkuk thesis
  • master's thesis
  • Merton thesis
  • private language thesis
  • thesis defense
  • thesis film
  • thesis statement

Related terms [ edit ]

Translations [ edit ], references [ edit ].

  • ^ “ thē̆sis, n. ”, in MED Online , Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan , 2007 .
  • ^ “ thesis, n. ”, in Lexico , Dictionary.com ; Oxford University Press , 2019–2022 .

Further reading [ edit ]

  • “ thesis ”, in The Century Dictionary   [ … ] , New York, N.Y.: The Century Co. , 1911 , →OCLC .
  • “ thesis ”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary , Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam , 1913 , →OCLC .

Anagrams [ edit ]

  • Heists , Sethis , heists , shiest , shites , sithes , thises

Dutch [ edit ]

From Latin thesis , from Ancient Greek θέσις ( thésis , “ a proposition, a statement, a thing laid down, thesis in rhetoric, thesis in prosody ” ) .

thesis   f ( plural theses or thesissen , diminutive thesisje   n )

  • Dated form of these . Synonyms: dissertatie , proefschrift , scriptie

Latin [ edit ]

From Ancient Greek θέσις ( thésis , “ a proposition, a statement, a thing laid down, thesis in rhetoric, thesis in prosody ” ) .

  • ( Classical ) IPA ( key ) : /ˈtʰe.sis/ , [ˈt̪ʰɛs̠ɪs̠]
  • ( modern Italianate Ecclesiastical ) IPA ( key ) : /ˈte.sis/ , [ˈt̪ɛːs̬is]

thesis   f ( genitive thesis ) ; third declension

Declension [ edit ]

Descendants [ edit ].

  • → Dutch: thesis
  • → Armenian: թեզ ( tʻez )
  • → Dutch: these
  • → Persian: تز ( tez )
  • → Romanian: teză
  • → Turkish: tez
  • Galician: tese
  • Italian: tesi
  • English: thesis
  • Portuguese: tese
  • Spanish: tesis
  • “ thesis ”, in Charlton T. Lewis and Charles Short ( 1879 ) A Latin Dictionary , Oxford: Clarendon Press
  • thesis in Gaffiot, Félix ( 1934 ) Dictionnaire illustré latin-français , Hachette.

thesis plural and singular

  • English terms derived from Proto-Indo-European
  • English terms derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *dʰeh₁-
  • English terms inherited from Middle English
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  • English terms derived from Latin
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  • English doublets
  • English 2-syllable words
  • English terms with IPA pronunciation
  • English terms with audio links
  • Rhymes:English/iːsɪs
  • Rhymes:English/iːsɪs/2 syllables
  • Rhymes:English/iːsiːz
  • English lemmas
  • English nouns
  • English countable nouns
  • English nouns with irregular plurals
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Definition of thesis noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

  • Students must submit a thesis on an agreed subject within four years.
  • He presented this thesis for his PhD.
  • a thesis for a master's degree
  • He's doing a doctoral thesis on the early works of Shostakovich.
  • Many departments require their students to do a thesis defense.
  • She completed an MSc by thesis.
  • her thesis adviser at MIT
  • in a/​the thesis
  • thesis about

Definitions on the go

Look up any word in the dictionary offline, anytime, anywhere with the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary app.

thesis plural and singular

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Copyright © Monash University (2017). All rights reserved. Except as provided in the Copyright Act 1968, this work may not be reproduced in any form without the written permission of English Connect web administrator. Material created by Dr Anna Podorova, Ms Julia Ghazarian and Dr Amber McLeod.

Why is it important to understand singular and plural word forms?

Variation in formation of regular plural noun forms

In English, there are many nouns which do not follow the regular pattern of forming singular or plural. Some words such as university subjects or activities may look plural but are used as a singular nouns. For example:

The news about university rankings was in all Australian newspapers. Maths (=mathematics) is a challenging subject.

Exceptions in formation of plural noun forms: plural-looking nouns

Exceptions in formation of plural noun forms: Latin and other foreign origins

thesis plural and singular

Examples: Based on this specific criterion , researchers differentiate between native and non-native speakers of English. Success criteria for such programs vary across the sector.

Exceptions in formation of singular and plural noun forms: always plural

thesis plural and singular

Exceptions in formation of singular and plural noun forms: uncountable nouns

Avoiding common mistakes with plural and singular forms: subject-verb agreement

Avoiding mistakes with plural and singular forms: subject-verb agreement (continued)

Copyright © Monash University (2017).

Example from a student assignment – read through this paragraph looking for mistakes with plural and singular forms

For hundreds of years people have attempted to invent a perfect language. Recently, there have been a discussion on the nature and significances of such attempts. Inventors of such languages pursue different purposes: some want to produce an inherently logical language systems, others seek to develop neutral languages, free of ideology and culture, to be used in world communication (Lo Bianco, 2004). Out of hundreds of invented languages just a few are well-known. The most prominent of them all is, perhaps, Esperanto.

Reference: Lo Bianco, J. (2004). Resources for cultural language learning . Melbourne: CAE Press, Language Australia.

For explanation, click on the underlined text

For hundreds of years people have attempted to invent a perfect language. Recently, there have been a discussion on the nature and significances of such attempts. Inventors of such languages pursue different purposes: some want to produce an inherently logical language systems , others seek to develop neutral languages, free of ideology and culture, to be used in world communication (Lo Bianco, 2004). Out of hundreds of invented languages just a few are well-known. The most prominent of them all is, perhaps, Esperanto.

Suggested revision

For hundreds of years people have attempted to invent a perfect language. Recently, there has been a discussion on the nature and significance of such attempts. Inventors of such languages pursue different purposes: some want to produce an inherently logical language system , others seek to develop neutral languages, free of ideology and culture, to be used in world communication (Lo Bianco, 2004). Out of hundreds of invented languages just a few are well-known. The most prominent of them all is, perhaps, Esperanto.

Apply what you have learnt in this module and click on the correct option(s) below

thesis plural and singular

Useful links on plural and singular forms

Module 5: Subject/Verb agreement, ASCENT, Monash University Count and uncount nouns, Purdue Online Writing Lab Making subjects and verbs agree, Purdue Online Writing Lab Nouns, singular and plural, from English Grammar Today, Cambridge University Press Uncountable nouns, English Club

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thesis plural and singular

Resources – grammar books

Azar, B. S. & Hagen, S.A. (2009). Understanding and using English grammar (4th ed.). USA: Pearson Longman. Borjars, K. & Burridge, K. Introducing English grammar (2nd ed.). London: Hodder Education. Foley, M. & Hall, D. (2012). MyGrammarLab (Advanced) . England: Pearson. Hewings, M. (2012). Advanced grammar in use: a reference and practice book for advanced students of English (2nd ed.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Murphy, R. (2011). English Grammar in Use (Intermediate) (3 ed.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Purdue Online Writing Lab Purdue OWL® College of Liberal Arts

Making Subjects and Verbs Agree

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This handout gives you several guidelines to help your subjects and verbs agree.

1. When the subject of a sentence is composed of two or more nouns or pronouns connected by and , use a plural verb.

2. When two or more singular nouns or pronouns are connected by or or nor , use a singular verb.

3. When a compound subject contains both a singular and a plural noun or pronoun joined by or or nor , the verb should agree with the part of the subject that is nearer the verb.

4. Doesn't is a contraction of does not and should be used only with a singular subject. Don't is a contraction of do not and should be used only with a plural subject. The exception to this rule appears in the case of the first person and second person pronouns I and you . With these pronouns, the contraction don't should be used.

5. Do not be misled by a phrase that comes between the subject and the verb. The verb agrees with the subject, not with a noun or pronoun in the phrase.

6. The words each, each one, either, neither, everyone, everybody, anybody, anyone, nobody, somebody, someone, and no one are singular and require a singular verb.

7. Nouns such as civics, mathematics, dollars, measles, and news require singular verbs.

Note: The word dollars is a special case. When talking about an amount of money, it requires a singular verb, but when referring to the dollars themselves, a plural verb is required.

8. Nouns such as scissors, tweezers, trousers, and shears require plural verbs. (There are two parts to these things.)

9. In sentences beginning with "there is" or "there are," the subject follows the verb. Since "there" is not the subject, the verb agrees with what follows.

10. Collective nouns are words that imply more than one person but that are considered singular and take a singular verb, such as group, team, committee, class, and family.

This sentence is referring to the individual efforts of each crew member. The Gregg Reference Manual provides excellent explanations of subject-verb agreement (section 10: 1001).

11. Expressions such as with, together with, including, accompanied by, in addition to, or as well do not change the number of the subject. If the subject is singular, the verb is too.

plural for theses

plural for theses

"Theses" is the only way to make the noun "thesis" plural. Confusion arises because some mistakenly believe that all nouns ending in "s" should form a plural that adds "es" to the end of the word. When a noun ends with "is," you need to replace the "is" with an "es" to form the plural. This is because its plural form derives from Greek.

Thesis becomes theses in plural form for two reasons: 1) The word thesis has a Greek root, and theses is how it is pluralized in that original language. 2) There are many English words ending with -is that take on -es endings when pluralized: e.g., crisis becomes crises. The pluralization isn't all that unique.

THESES definition: 1. plural of thesis 2. plural of thesis . Learn more.

THESES meaning: 1. plural of thesis 2. plural of thesis . Learn more.

The meaning of THESIS is a dissertation embodying results of original research and especially substantiating a specific view; especially : one written by a candidate for an academic degree. ... But a thesis may also be an idea; so in the course of the paper the student may put forth several theses (notice the plural form) and attempt to prove ...

The plural of "thesis" adheres to the Greek-rooted pattern, changing the singular -is to a plural -es. Accurate use of "thesis" and "theses" reflects scholarly precision in both written and oral communication. Awareness of correct pluralization extends to other similar nouns ending in -sis, emphasizing the importance of understanding language origins.

The collection of theses are ready for publication. Twenty years after Savonarola's death Martin Luther made public his theses against indulgences. Theses are generally examined by two or more specialists. Theses is the plural form of the singular noun thesis. ‍ Origin of the word "thesis" ‍ Thesis/theses are of Greek origin.

(plural theses /ˈθiːsiːz/ ... thesis (that…) a statement or an opinion that is discussed in a logical way and presented with evidence in order to prove that it is true. The basic thesis of the book is fairly simple. These latest findings support the thesis that sexuality is determined by nature rather than choice.

The plural of thesis is "theses.". In English, most nouns form the plural by adding an "s" at the end. However, "thesis" is one of the few exceptions to this rule. The word "thesis" has a Greek root, and "theses" is how it is pluralized in that original language. Singular.

Thesis definition: a proposition stated or put forward for consideration, especially one to be discussed and proved or to be maintained against objections. See examples of THESIS used in a sentence.

Noun [ edit] thesis (plural theses) ( rhetoric) A proposition or statement supported by arguments. (by extension) A lengthy essay written to establish the validity of a thesis (sense 1.1), especially one submitted in order to complete the requirements for a non- doctoral degree in the US and a doctoral degree in the UK; a dissertation .

thesis in American English. (ˈθisɪs) noun Word forms: plural -ses (-siz) 1. a proposition stated or put forward for consideration, esp. one to be discussed and proved or to be maintained against objections. He vigorously defended his thesis on the causes of war. 2. a subject for a composition or essay. 3.

THESIS meaning: 1. a long piece of writing on a particular subject, especially one that is done for a higher…. Learn more.

Spread the loveTeaching students about the plural of thesis can sometimes be challenging, given that the word 'thesis' itself appears to be a singular noun. However, it is important for students to understand how to form the plural of thesis, as they will often need to write about multiple theses or refer to the ideas contained within several pieces of academic writing. In this article, we ...

British especially for sense 3 ˈthe-sis. plural theses ˈthē-ˌsēz. Synonyms of thesis. 1. : a dissertation embodying results of original research and especially substantiating a specific view. especially : one written by a candidate for an academic degree. 2.... The plural of "thesis" is "theses." PhD theses are usually over two hundred pages.

THESIS definition: 1. a long piece of writing on a particular subject, especially one that is done for a higher…. Learn more.

2 a statement or an opinion that is discussed in a logical way and presented with evidence in order to prove that it is true She concluded that there was no archaeological data to support the thesis that the town had been surrounded by a wall. Topic Collocations Scientific Research theory. formulate/advance a theory/hypothesis

Noun. ( theses ) A statement supported by arguments. A written essay, especially one submitted for a university degree. * Goldsmith. I told them of the grave, becoming, and sublime deportment they should assume upon this mystical occasion, and read them two homilies and a thesis of my own composing, to prepare them. (logic) An affirmation, or ...

There are eight meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun thesis. See 'Meaning & use' for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence. thesis has developed meanings and uses in subjects including. prosody (Middle English) music (Middle English) rhetoric (late 1500s) logic (late 1500s) education (late 1700s) philosophy (1830s)

The plural form of thesis is theses . Find more words! Leuthner was fiercely attacked for his theses at the time by social democratic leader Karl Kautsky. This synthesis is based on public domain data, including published papers, theses and dissertations. The book is a compilation of doctoral candidates' dissertations and theses.

The plural of thesis is theses. The answer is: 👍. Helpful ( 0) 💡. Interesting ( 0) 😄. Funny ( 0) 🤔.

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Cambridge Dictionary

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Nouns: singular and plural

Nouns used only in the singular.

Some nouns are used only in the singular, even though they end in -s . These include: the names of academic subjects such as classics, economics, mathematics/maths, physics ; the physical activities gymnastics and aerobics ; the diseases measles and mumps; and the word news :

Maths was never my best subject at school.
Aerobics is great fun – you should try it!

Nouns used only in the plural

Some nouns only have a plural form. They cannot be used with numbers. They include the names of certain tools, instruments and articles of clothing which have two parts.

Tools and instruments

I’ve got new sunglasses . Do you like them?
He always wears shorts , even in the winter.

We can use pair of to refer to one example of these nouns:

I bought a new pair of binoculars last week.
That old pair of trousers will be useful for doing jobs in the garden.

We use pairs of to refer to more than one example of this type of noun:

They’re advertising two pairs of glasses for the price of one.
I bought three pairs of shorts for the summer.

Other nouns which are always plural in form

Please ensure that you take all your belongings with you as you leave the aircraft.
They live on the outskirts of Frankfurt, almost in the countryside.
My clothes are wet. I’ll have to go upstairs and change.
She spent all her savings on a trip to South America.

Collective nouns (group words)

Some nouns refer to groups of people (e.g. audience, committee, government, team ). These are sometimes called collective nouns. Some collective nouns can take a singular or plural verb, depending on whether they are considered as a single unit or as a collection of individuals:

In general, a plural verb is more common with these nouns in informal situations.

Piece words and group words

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thesis plural and singular

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PhD Theses Grammar – Nouns & Words Both, Either, Neither, Nor & Only

Posted by Rene Tetzner | Oct 30, 2021 | PhD Success | 0 |

PhD Theses Grammar – Nouns & Words Both, Either, Neither, Nor & Only

5.4.3 Nouns and Agreement

The use of most English nouns is relatively straightforward, but spelling and word choice can sometimes be an issue if English is not your native language. It is usually quite easy to deal with such problems through careful and critical proofreading, especially with the assistance of the spell-checking function of your word-processing program, which in most cases will highlight obvious errors (though it should not be trusted to discover them all). If a word is underlined or otherwise highlighted by the program, check the spelling and correct it if necessary; if spelling is not the problem, it is likely that you have chosen the wrong or an inappropriate word (perhaps you used ‘content’ for ‘context,’ for example, ‘implementation’ for ‘intervention’ and so on), in which case you will need to use a dictionary or perhaps a thesaurus to find the correct or a more appropriate word. Watch for nouns that are too vague to express your exact meaning to all readers: ‘in this context,’ ‘in our area’ and ‘in local universities’ are classic examples of instances in which you and your thesis committee will know what you are talking about, but other readers (especially those from other contexts and areas) cannot unless the context or area you are working in or the location of those universities is specified wherever necessary for absolute clarity (specific language is also best for dates: see Section 6.4.4). Conversely, your language should not be so specific to one country or region that its meaning will not be fully understood by international readers: currency and educational systems are good examples of topics for which you should provide not only specific information relevant to the original locality, but also careful enough explanations of the specifics to make them clear to readers who are not familiar with that locality and its culture.

Agreement should always be maintained between nouns and the verbs used with them, which in most cases is easily established: singular nouns should be used with the singular forms of verbs (‘the doctoral candidate investigates,’ ‘the brush untangles’ and ‘the child plays’) and plural nouns with the plural forms of verbs (‘the doctoral candidates investigate,’ ‘the brushes untangle’ and ‘the children play’). If you want your language to suggest the possibility of both singular and plural situations simultaneously, for most nouns you can enclose the ‘s’ or ‘es’ of the plural form in parentheses – ‘the methodology chapter(s)’ – in which case the verb form should be governed by the singular noun because the plural is technically parenthetical: for example, ‘the methodology chapter(s) describes the research methods used in the thesis.’ Another (and often preferable) solution is to word the text in such a way that the verb works for both the singular and plural forms of the noun: ‘the methodology chapter(s) should describe the research methods used in the thesis.’ With plural nouns formed through the addition of endings other that ‘s’ or ‘es,’ the same strategy can be used – ‘the child(ren) will be going to a party this afternoon’ – but with nouns that change their stems to form the plural (such as ‘man’ that becomes ‘men’ and ‘woman’ that becomes ‘women’), effective constructions can be complicated and confusing for readers, and are generally best avoided.

thesis plural and singular

There are certain nouns in the English language that present special challenges when it comes to agreement. Plural nouns that seem like singular nouns (‘data,’ ‘media,’ ‘criteria’ etc.), for instance, should take a plural verb (‘the criteria required were,’ not ‘the criteria required was’), although ‘data’ can, alternatively, be used as a singular noun (‘the data were’ or ‘the data was’). This is to say that ‘data’ can be treated as a collective or group noun instead of as a normal plural noun, in which case the important point is to ensure that the noun is treated as a singular whenever it is used in a document. With collective nouns in general, it is essential that each noun is consistently treated as either a singular or a plural, ideally throughout a thesis and certainly within a single sentence, but this can be rather tricky because such nouns tend to be used as both singular and plural in casual conversation, so there is a tendency to be inconsistent: for example, in ‘The society was founded in 1995; since then, they have grown rapidly,’ ‘they have’ in the second part of the sentence should actually be ‘it has’ to agree with the singular ‘society’ and its verb ‘was’ in the first part. Also complicated is the fact that the decision to use a singular or plural verb with a collective noun can depend on whether the noun refers to the group as a unit (singular) or to its members as individuals (plural), and also on whether British or American English is used: in American English, when the group is considered as a unit, a singular verb is usually used (our hockey team is playing very poorly this year), but in British English, collective nouns tend to use plural verbs (our hockey team are playing very poorly this year). The collective nouns ‘couple’ and ‘pair’ are usually used as plurals when they refer to people – ‘The couple ride their bicycles to work’ – but collective nouns of quantity such as ‘number,’ ‘percentage’ and ‘proportion’ tend to take a singular verb when a definite article precedes the noun and a plural verb when an indefinite article precedes the noun (‘The proportion of customers with home phones is decreasing,’ but ‘A large proportion of customers are giving up their home phones in favour of mobile phones’).

thesis plural and singular

5.4.4 Both, Either, Neither, Nor and Only

Certain other words, phrases and constructions can cause particular problems when constructing sentences, especially for authors whose native language is not English. ‘Both’ takes a plural verb (e.g., ‘both a pool and a water slide were added to the playground’), whereas ‘either’ and ‘neither’ take a singular verb (either a pool or a water slide is being added to the playground), and so does a ‘neither . . . nor’ construction (neither a pool nor a waterslide was added to the playground). Please note that ‘or’ should not be used instead of ‘nor’ in a ‘neither . . . nor’ construction.’ ‘Neither,’ ‘either’ and ‘both’ should be correctly positioned in a sentence to achieve balance and avoid repetition, so the phrasing should be ‘that affect neither him nor her,’ not ‘that neither affect him nor her,’ and ‘that affect both him and her,’ not ‘that both affect him and her.’ ‘Only’ can be placed where it sounds best in a sentence unless there is a possibility of ambiguity or confusion, in which case it should be carefully positioned to clarify the meaning: for example, ‘vegetable gardens only watered on Sundays’ could mean ‘only vegetable gardens are watered on Sundays’ or ‘vegetable gardens are watered on Sundays only’ or ‘vegetable gardens are watered, but not weeded, on Sundays’ (examples adapted from Butcher et al., 2006, p.164). It is therefore wise to consider all the placement and semantic options as you are writing such sentences and choose the one that most effectively expresses your intentions. ‘Only’ can also be problematic when used not to mean ‘exclusively,’ but to refer to a small number or percentage: ‘just 39%’ or ‘as small as 39%’ is more accurate than and preferable to ‘only 39%.’

thesis plural and singular

5.4.5 Beginning Sentences Correctly and Avoiding Dangling Participles

The wording at the beginning of sentences should be both precise and complete in formal scholarly prose, and certain elements should not be used in that position. Numerals, for instance, should be avoided, so any number at the beginning of a sentence should be written out in words unless writing it out would be cumbersome (e.g., ‘237,482’ would be very unwieldy if written as words), in which case the sentence should be reworded to avoid using the number at its beginning (for information on formatting numbers, see Section 6.4 below). Certain abbreviations should also be avoided at the beginning of sentences, although acronyms and initialisms are usually acceptable (see Section 6.3.8 below). As a general rule, sentences should not begin with conjunctions such as ‘and,’ ‘or,’ ‘but’ and ‘so,’ although the occasional lapse in this regard, even in formal writing, is tolerated in most cases as long as the sentence does not begin a paragraph, the meaning is clear and the rhythm of the prose is effective. A sentence and especially a paragraph should not normally start with a pronoun such as ‘this,’ ‘that’ or ‘they’ even if the antecedent is clear from what has gone before, but particularly if the antecedent is at all ambiguous. Instead, the subject should be clearly stated as a noun or noun phrase to avoid confusion, but the pronoun ‘I’ (as well as ‘we’ in texts with more than one author) is acceptable at the beginning of a sentence or paragraph because there can be no doubt, if the pronoun is used only when it should be, about the meaning. Keep in mind that when a descriptive phrase is used at the beginning of a sentence, it applies to everything that follows until the subject changes or is restated: in the sentence ‘In 1879 he painted his first watercolour and began to work with oils in 1886,’ for instance, the date 1879 applies incorrectly to ‘began’ as well as correctly to ‘painted,’ so rewording is necessary: either ‘He painted his first watercolour in 1879 and began to work with oils in 1886’ or ‘In 1879 he painted his first watercolour, and in 1886 he began to work with oils’ would work.

Dangling participles are often problematic at the beginning of sentences, though they can turn up anywhere in a sentence. A dangling participle occurs when a participle or participial phrase is followed by a word other than the subject it modifies, as it is in ‘Plunging to enormous depths, we marvelled at the canyon’ and ‘Having found the right food at last, the diabetic dog was fed.’ It is clear to a thinking reader familiar with English that the ‘canyon’ plunges ‘to enormous depths’ and the person feeding the dog is the one who ‘found the right food,’ but the sentences do not actually say these things: they say that ‘we’ plunge ‘to enormous depths’ and ‘the diabetic dog’ was the one who ‘found the right food’ because those are the subjects that appear immediately after the participial phrases. Such sentences should be reworded so that their syntax reflects the realities reported: ‘We marvelled at the canyon that plunged to enormous depths’ and ‘Having found the right food at last, he fed the diabetic dog.’ Other kinds of dependent clauses that frequently appear at the beginning of sentences can present problems as well, particularly when they are mistakenly used as independent clauses or full sentences. Although a dependent clause contains a subject and a verb (as the opening clause of this sentence does), it does not express a complete thought; instead, it often begins with a dependent marker word (such as ‘after,’ ‘when,’ ‘if,’ ‘because’ and ‘although’) that leaves the reader waiting for the rest of the thought: ‘After he had drafted his thesis’ and ‘Because she is afraid of fireworks’ are good examples. For this reason, a dependent clause cannot be a complete sentence, but should be either followed by a comma and an independent clause that does complete the thought, or preceded by an independent clause and (if necessary) a comma: ‘After he had drafted his thesis, he had it checked by a professional proofreader’ or ‘We left our dog at home because she is afraid of fireworks.’

Why PhD Success?

To Graduate Successfully

This article is part of a book called "PhD Success" which focuses on the writing process of a phd thesis, with its aim being to provide sound practices and principles for reporting and formatting in text the methods, results and discussion of even the most innovative and unique research in ways that are clear, correct, professional and persuasive.

thesis plural and singular

The assumption of the book is that the doctoral candidate reading it is both eager to write and more than capable of doing so, but nonetheless requires information and guidance on exactly what he or she should be writing and how best to approach the task. The basic components of a doctoral thesis are outlined and described, as are the elements of complete and accurate scholarly references, and detailed descriptions of writing practices are clarified through the use of numerous examples.

thesis plural and singular

The basic components of a doctoral thesis are outlined and described, as are the elements of complete and accurate scholarly references, and detailed descriptions of writing practices are clarified through the use of numerous examples. PhD Success provides guidance for students familiar with English and the procedures of English universities, but it also acknowledges that many theses in the English language are now written by candidates whose first language is not English, so it carefully explains the scholarly styles, conventions and standards expected of a successful doctoral thesis in the English language.

thesis plural and singular

Individual chapters of this book address reflective and critical writing early in the thesis process; working successfully with thesis supervisors and benefiting from commentary and criticism; drafting and revising effective thesis chapters and developing an academic or scientific argument; writing and formatting a thesis in clear and correct scholarly English; citing, quoting and documenting sources thoroughly and accurately; and preparing for and excelling in thesis meetings and examinations. 

thesis plural and singular

Completing a doctoral thesis successfully requires long and penetrating thought, intellectual rigour and creativity, original research and sound methods (whether established or innovative), precision in recording detail and a wide-ranging thoroughness, as much perseverance and mental toughness as insight and brilliance, and, no matter how many helpful writing guides are consulted, a great deal of hard work over a significant period of time. Writing a thesis can be an enjoyable as well as a challenging experience, however, and even if it is not always so, the personal and professional rewards of achieving such an enormous goal are considerable, as all doctoral candidates no doubt realise, and will last a great deal longer than any problems that may be encountered during the process.

thesis plural and singular

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thesis plural and singular

Rene Tetzner

Rene Tetzner's blog posts dedicated to academic writing. Although the focus is on How To Write a Doctoral Thesis, many other important aspects of research-based writing, editing and publishing are addressed in helpful detail.

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Thesis Plural, What is the Plural of Thesis?

Meaning: a statement that is put forward as premise

Table of Contents

Singular and Plural of Thesis

Thesis as a singular noun in example sentences:.

  • She spent months researching and writing her thesis .
  • The student defended her thesis in front of a panel of professors.
  • The thesis presented a novel approach to the problem.
  • The professor guided the student in developing a strong thesis
  • The researcher’s thesis contributed to the field’s understanding of the topic.
  • The graduate student received funding to conduct experiments for her thesis .
  • The thesis required extensive data analysis and interpretation.
  • The academic journal published an article based on the researcher’s thesis .
  • The conference featured presentations on diverse thesis
  • The defense committee praised the clarity and depth of the student’s thesis .

Thesis as a Plural Noun in Example Sentences:

  • The university library stores an extensive collection of doctoral theses .
  • The scholars debated different approaches proposed in their respective theses .
  • The conference showcased the groundbreaking research presented in the participants’ theses .
  • The professors provided valuable feedback on the students’ draft theses .
  • The candidates diligently prepared their final theses for submission.
  • The graduate students shared their findings during a panel discussion on their theses .
  • The scholars engaged in lively discussions about the implications of their theses .
  • The research symposium featured presentations on a wide range of topics from various theses .
  • The library offers online access to digitized versions of historic theses .
  • The academic journal published an issue dedicated to exceptional doctoral theses .

Singular Possessive of Thesis

The singular possessive form of “Thesis” is “Thesis’s”.

Examples of Singular Possessive Form of Thesis:

  • We analyzed Thesis’s research methodology.
  • Thesis’s findings provided valuable insights.
  • The committee reviewed Thesis’s abstract and conclusion.
  • We discussed the implications of Thesis’s hypothesis.
  • Thesis’s literature review presented a comprehensive analysis.
  • The professor praised Thesis’s organization and structure.
  • We examined Thesis’s data collection process.
  • Thesis’s bibliography included relevant sources.
  • The defense highlighted the significance of Thesis’s contribution.
  • The advisor provided feedback on Thesis’s methodology.

Plural Possessive of Thesis

The plural possessive form of “Thesis” is “Theses'”.

Examples of Plural Possessive Form of Thesis:

  • We analyzed multiple theses’ research methodologies.
  • Theses’ findings provided valuable insights.
  • The committee reviewed theses’ abstracts and conclusions.
  • We discussed the implications of theses’ hypotheses.
  • Theses’ literature reviews presented comprehensive analyses.
  • The professors praised theses’ organization and structure.
  • We examined theses’ data collection processes.
  • Theses’ bibliographies included relevant sources.
  • The defenses highlighted the significance of theses’ contributions.
  • The advisors provided feedback on theses’ methodologies.

Explore Related Nouns:

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Is theses plural

Theses is both plural and singular singular both plural and singular plural singular both plural and singular plural plural singular .

The plural singular singular singular plural plural plural plural singular of theses is thesis .

How to say theses: How to pronounce theses

How to say thesis: How to pronounce thesis

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Not sure why theses is both singular both plural singular both plural plural singular ?   Contact Us !   We'll explain.

1.  What makes words plural? 2.  What makes a word singular? 3.  How to make acronyms plural.

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  1. The Plural of Thesis

    thesis plural and singular

  2. What is the plural of thesis?

    thesis plural and singular

  3. Singular and Plural Noun Rules in English

    thesis plural and singular

  4. plural of Thesis

    thesis plural and singular

  5. What's the Plural of Thesis? (Thesises? Theses?)

    thesis plural and singular

  6. Singular and Plural Nouns

    thesis plural and singular

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COMMENTS

  1. What Is the Plural of Thesis

    Thesis becomes theses in plural form for two reasons: 1) The word thesis has a Greek root, and theses is how it is pluralized in that original language. 2) There are many English words ending with -is that take on -es endings when pluralized: e.g., crisis becomes crises. The pluralization isn't all that unique.

  2. The Plural of Thesis

    "Theses" is the only way to make the noun "thesis" plural. Confusion arises because some mistakenly believe that all nouns ending in "s" should form a plural that adds "es" to the end of the word. When a noun ends with "is," you need to replace the "is" with an "es" to form the plural. This is because its plural form derives from Greek.

  3. Whats the Plural of Thesis: Understanding Singular and Plural Forms

    The plural of "thesis" adheres to the Greek-rooted pattern, changing the singular -is to a plural -es. Accurate use of "thesis" and "theses" reflects scholarly precision in both written and oral communication. Awareness of correct pluralization extends to other similar nouns ending in -sis, emphasizing the importance of understanding language origins.

  4. Thesis Definition & Meaning

    The meaning of THESIS is a dissertation embodying results of original research and especially substantiating a specific view; especially : one written by a candidate for an academic degree. ... But a thesis may also be an idea; so in the course of the paper the student may put forth several theses (notice the plural form) and attempt to prove ...

  5. Plural of Thesis: A Quick Guide for English Learners

    The plural of thesis is "theses.". In English, most nouns form the plural by adding an "s" at the end. However, "thesis" is one of the few exceptions to this rule. The word "thesis" has a Greek root, and "theses" is how it is pluralized in that original language. Singular.

  6. What's the Plural of Thesis? (Thesises? Theses?)

    Thesis, which means "proposition", and derives from Greek, is a singular noun. The plural of thesis is theses. Started Grammarflex (ing) in 2022—been a word nerd and writing enthusiast ever since. (BA, MA in phil).

  7. THESES

    THESES definition: 1. plural of thesis 2. plural of thesis . Learn more.

  8. thesis

    Noun [ edit] thesis (plural theses) ( rhetoric) A proposition or statement supported by arguments. (by extension) A lengthy essay written to establish the validity of a thesis (sense 1.1), especially one submitted in order to complete the requirements for a non- doctoral degree in the US and a doctoral degree in the UK; a dissertation .

  9. thesis noun

    (plural theses /ˈθiːsiːz/ ... thesis (that…) a statement or an opinion that is discussed in a logical way and presented with evidence in order to prove that it is true. The basic thesis of the book is fairly simple. These latest findings support the thesis that sexuality is determined by nature rather than choice.

  10. ALF Guide

    The use of correct singular and plural word forms means that the grammatical structure of sentences will be correct. The use of singular and plural forms is linked to: Knowing the rules of forming singular and plural. The use of countable and uncountable nouns. Correct matching of the singular or plural subject with the singular or plural verb ...

  11. thesis plural or singular

    The word 'thesis' is singular. To make it plural, you change the '-is' at the end to '-es'.... Singular of theses. Nearby Words. therp · thesaurosis · thesaurus · thescelosaurid.... thesis is often called a dissertation). But a thesis may also be an idea; so in the course of the paper the student may put forth several theses (notice the...

  12. Subject/Verb Agreement

    1. When the subject of a sentence is composed of two or more nouns or pronouns connected by and, use a plural verb. She and her friends are at the fair. 2. When two or more singular nouns or pronouns are connected by or or nor, use a singular verb. The book or the pen is in the drawer. 3.

  13. What is the correct shortened form for "Goals of the Theses"

    Thesis is singular, theses is plural. Thesis' is singular genitive, theses' is plural genitive. As a general rule for genitives of words ending in s, you use s', the Saxon genitive. So, assuming you want to talk about the multiple goals in multiple theses, then you would use "theses' goals".

  14. plural for theses

    Spread the loveTeaching students about the plural of thesis can sometimes be challenging, given that the word 'thesis' itself appears to be a singular noun. However, it is importa

  15. Nouns: singular and plural

    Nouns: singular and plural - English Grammar Today - a reference to written and spoken English grammar and usage - Cambridge Dictionary

  16. Is thesis plural?

    Thesis is singular both plural and singular singular singular plural both plural and singular plural plural both plural and singular. The singular plural plural singular plural plural singular plural singular of thesis is theses. How to say thesis: How to pronounce thesis. How to say theses: How to pronounce theses. Cite This Source. Not sure ...

  17. PhD Theses Grammar

    With collective nouns in general, it is essential that each noun is consistently treated as either a singular or a plural, ideally throughout a thesis and certainly within a single sentence, but this can be rather tricky because such nouns tend to be used as both singular and plural in casual conversation, so there is a tendency to be ...

  18. grammatical number

    I need to choose a name for my masters thesis (computer science degree). My current name proposal is following: Computer Vision Application in a Driver Assistance System. What I am not sure of is whether parts of name should be in singular or plural. I consider also following: Computer Vision Application in Driver Assistance Systems

  19. Plural of thesis

    Contact tutor. 3 years ago. The plural of thesis is theses. The answer is: 👍. Helpful ( 0) 💡. Interesting ( 0) 😄.

  20. Thesis Plural, What is the Plural of Thesis?

    Thesis as a Singular Noun in Example Sentences: She spent months researching and writing her thesis.; The student defended her thesis in front of a panel of professors.; The thesis presented a novel approach to the problem.; The professor guided the student in developing a strong thesis; The researcher's thesis contributed to the field's understanding of the topic.

  21. First person plural or singular pronouns for thesis presentation

    14. I am going to do an oral presentation for my thesis. Normally, when presenting a paper, as the paper is a collaboration work, I always use the pronoun "we". The thesis is written based on the papers. However, when presenting (for example, when talking about the contributions of the thesis), I feel using "we" a bit odd.

  22. thesis plural and singular

    But a thesis may also be an idea; so in the course of the paper the student may put forth several theses (notice the plural form) and attempt to prove them. Example Sentences These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'thesis.'

  23. Is theses plural?

    Theses is both plural and singular both plural and singular plural both plural and singular plural plural singular singular singular. The singular plural plural plural singular plural singular singular plural of theses is thesis. How to say theses: How to pronounce theses. How to say thesis: How to pronounce thesis. Cite This Source. Not sure ...

  24. The Importance of Using Singular 'They' in Real Estate Legal Documents

    Yet many people continue to argue that a singular antecedent cannot take a plural pronoun. This logic is flawed, however. Take the word you for example. You began its linguistic life as a plural ...