Grammarflex
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.
Thesis is a singular noun and refers to one thing (or one 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 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 / 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.)
crises | |
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.
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.
Thesis / theses are of Greek origin.
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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.
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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:
Singular | Plural |
---|---|
thesis | theses |
crisis | crises |
oasis | oases |
Key Points about the pluralization of “thesis”:
To clarify usage, consider these examples:
The singular form of ‘thesis’ is of notable interest due to its origins and distinct pluralization.
Origination and Definition:
Usage in Academia:
Table 1: Notable Features of ‘Thesis’
Features | Description |
---|---|
Pronunciation | /ˈθiːsɪs/ |
Syllable Structure | Two |
Grammatical Number | Singular |
Table 2: Contextual Examples
Context | Example Sentence |
---|---|
In a Proposal | “Her proposal was accepted by the advisory committee.” |
During Defense | “He defended his rigorously to earn his master’s degree.” |
In Academic Writing | “The central of the book is well-supported with evidence.” |
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:
To present original research | Introduction |
To showcase the author’s understanding and proficiency | Literature Review |
To contribute to the academic community | Methodology |
To fulfill a requirement for a graduate degree | Results/Discussion |
Conclusion |
Characteristics of a Thesis:
Below you will find two tables categorized by common and less common irregular plurals that follow this pattern.
Common Irregular Plurals:
Singular | Plural |
---|---|
analysis | analyses |
hypothesis | hypotheses |
parenthesis | parentheses |
thesis | theses |
This pattern is often observed with words that have Greek origins.
Less Common Irregular Plurals:
Singular | Plural |
---|---|
basis | bases |
crisis | crises |
oasis | oases |
It is important to recognize these forms to maintain grammatical accuracy in writing and speech. Below is a list of examples used in sentences:
Here are examples that demonstrate its usage in various sentences.
Subject Area | Sentence |
---|---|
Literature | His thesis explores the symbolism in Victorian poetry. |
Science | The thesis provides a groundbreaking approach to climate change mitigation. |
Informal setting : During the debate, his thesis was that space exploration is no longer just a dream but a necessity.
Here are some examples of how “theses” can be used in sentences:
The library’s collection includes theses from graduates over the decades. | Indicates possession of multiple papers by the library. |
She compared multiple theses to ensure her research was comprehensive. | Shows the act of reviewing several papers. |
The committee requested summaries of the proposed theses before approval. | Used as the subject of the committee’s requests. |
Theses covering revolutionary medical findings were presented at the conference. | Theses acting as the main topic at a professional event. |
Education Setting : Graduate students often struggle to find unique topics for their theses as most ideas have been extensively explored.
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.
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.
Greek Origin | Modern English Equivalent |
---|---|
θέσις (thésis) | Thesis |
As a carryover from Greek to Latin, the word made its way into English, maintaining its original Greek plural form:
Singular | Plural |
---|---|
Thesis | Theses |
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:
Areas of Impact:
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There are seven 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
OED is undergoing a continuous programme of revision to modernize and improve definitions. This entry has not yet been fully revised.
1750 | 1.6 |
1760 | 1.8 |
1770 | 2.6 |
1780 | 1.9 |
1790 | 1.7 |
1800 | 1.9 |
1810 | 1.4 |
1820 | 1.3 |
1830 | 1.3 |
1840 | 1.8 |
1850 | 2.0 |
1860 | 1.8 |
1870 | 2.6 |
1880 | 2.9 |
1890 | 3.7 |
1900 | 4.2 |
1910 | 5.7 |
1920 | 8.2 |
1930 | 13 |
1940 | 15 |
1950 | 19 |
1960 | 24 |
1970 | 27 |
1980 | 27 |
1990 | 25 |
2000 | 23 |
2010 | 23 |
British english, u.s. english, where does the noun thesis come from.
Earliest known use
Middle English
The earliest known use of the noun thesis is in the Middle English period (1150—1500).
OED's earliest evidence for thesis is from before 1398, in a translation by John Trevisa, translator.
thesis is a borrowing from Greek.
Etymons: Greek θέσις .
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Pronunciation, compounds & derived words, entry history for thesis, n..
thesis, n. was first published in 1912; not yet revised.
thesis, n. was last modified in December 2023.
Revision of the OED is a long-term project. Entries in oed.com which have not been revised may include:
Revisions and additions of this kind were last incorporated into thesis, n. in December 2023.
Earlier versions of this entry were published in:
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Factsheet for thesis, n., browse entry.
- an unproved statement put forward as a premise in an argument , , - a statement that is assumed to be true and from which a conclusion can be drawn; "on the assumption that he has been injured we can infer that he will not to play" | ||
- a treatise advancing a new point of view resulting from research; usually a requirement for an advanced academic degree - a formal exposition |
Definition of thesis noun from the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary
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Thesis noun [c] ( idea ).
(Definition of thesis from the Cambridge Learner's Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)
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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. How to use thesis in a sentence. Did you know?
THESES definition: 1. plural of thesis 2. plural of thesis . Learn more.
THESIS definition: 1. a long piece of writing on a particular subject, especially one that is done for a higher…. Learn more.
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.
"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.
THESES meaning: 1. plural of thesis 2. plural of thesis . Learn more.
What Is the Plural of Thesis?
thesis noun - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage ...
thesis - Wiktionary, the free dictionary ... thesis
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 ...
Whats the Plural of Thesis: Understanding Singular and Plural ...
Full Definition of THESIS. 1. a (1): the unstressed part of a poetic foot especially in accentual verse (2): the longer part of a poetic foot especially in quantitative verse b: the accented part of a musical measure : downbeat — compare arsis. 2. a: a position or proposition that a person (as a candidate for scholastic honors) advances and ...
thesis, n. meanings, etymology and more
THESIS meaning: 1. a long piece of writing on a particular subject, especially one that is done for a higher…. Learn more.
thesis. From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English Related topics: College the‧sis /ˈθiːsɪs/ AWL noun (plural theses /-siːz/) [countable] 1 a long piece of writing about a particular subject that you do as part of an advanced university degree such as an MA or a PhD Cynthia's still working on her thesis. graduate/master's ...
7 meanings: 1. a dissertation resulting from original research, esp when submitted by a candidate for a degree or diploma 2. a.... Click for more definitions.
the·sis (thē′sĭs) n. pl. the·ses (-sēz) 1. A proposition that is maintained by argument. 2. A dissertation advancing an original point of view as a result of research, especially as a requirement for an academic degree. 3. A hypothetical proposition, especially one put forth without proof. 4. The first stage of the Hegelian dialectic process. 5 ...
Definition of thesis noun in Oxford Advanced American Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.
THESIS definition in American English
A thesis is the most important or foundational idea of an argument. If the thesis of your paper is that chocolate ice cream is better than vanilla, you'll need to back that up with plenty of sundae-based research. ... Spanish-English dictionary, translator, and learning. Diccionario inglés-español, traductor y sitio de aprendizaje. Fast and ...
Thesis definition: A proposition that is maintained by argument. A proposition maintained or defended in argument, formerly one publicly disputed by a candidate for a degree in a medieval university.
THESIS definition: 1. a long piece of writing that you do as part of an advanced university course: 2. a theory that…. Learn more.
Thesis Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary