When should you say “criteria is” and when should you say “criteria are”? In standard English, criteria is traditionally the plural form of criterion, so “criteria are” is correct when you are referring to multiple standards or requirements. For example: “The criteria are clearly defined.” The singular form is criterion, as in “The criterion is clearly defined.”
However, English usage can sometimes be confusing because criteria is increasingly treated as a singular noun in informal contexts. For careful writing, especially in academic, professional, and formal English, it is best to use criteria are for plural meaning and criterion is for singular meaning.
Quick Answer
“Criteria are” is the standard choice when criteria means multiple standards, conditions, or requirements. “Criterion is” is used for one standard. For example, “The criteria are strict” is correct, while “The criterion is strict” refers to one specific standard.
Why Do People Confuse “Criteria Is” and “Criteria Are”?
The confusion comes from the word’s origin and its unusual plural form.
Criterion is singular:
- One criterion
- This criterion is important.
Criteria is plural:
- Several criteria
- These criteria are important.
Many English nouns form plurals by adding -s, such as book → books or rule → rules. Because criteria does not follow this familiar pattern, some speakers assume it is singular.
Compare:
One criterion is required.
Several criteria are required.
The verb should agree with the grammatical number of the noun.
First Word: Criterion
Criterion is a singular noun meaning one standard, rule, condition, or requirement used to make a judgment or decision.
Examples
- Cost is an important criterion.
- The main criterion is reliability.
- Age may be one criterion for admission.
- This criterion is difficult to measure.
Use criterion is when talking about one standard.
Second Word: Criteria
Criteria is traditionally the plural form of criterion. It refers to two or more standards, conditions, or requirements used for evaluation.
Examples
- The criteria are clearly explained.
- Our selection criteria are strict.
- These criteria are important for the application.
- The evaluation criteria are listed below.
Use criteria are when talking about multiple standards.
Criteria Is vs Criteria Are: Comparison Table
| Expression | Standard usage | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criterion is | Correct | One standard | The main criterion is quality. |
| Criteria are | Correct | Multiple standards | The criteria are clearly stated. |
| Criteria is | Nonstandard in careful formal English when criteria is plural | Treats plural criteria as singular | The criteria is unclear. |
| Criteria is | Sometimes heard in informal English | Criteria is being treated as a singular collective noun | The criteria is changing. |
For formal and academic writing, criteria are is the safer choice when criteria means several standards.
When Should You Use Each?
Use “criterion is” for one standard
Use criterion is when you can replace the noun with one criterion or one standard.
The most important criterion is accuracy.
There is only one main standard here.
Use “criteria are” for multiple standards
Use criteria are when you mean several standards.
The selection criteria are demanding.
There are multiple requirements or standards.
A Simple Test
Ask yourself:
Am I talking about one standard or several standards?
- One → criterion is
- More than one → criteria are
10+ Examples of “Criteria Are” and “Criterion Is”
- The criteria are easy to understand.
- The selection criteria are clearly stated.
- The admission criteria are different for each program.
- These criteria are used to evaluate candidates.
- The eligibility criteria are listed on the website.
- The main criterion is academic performance.
- Price is an important criterion when choosing a product.
- The most important criterion is safety.
- Each criterion is evaluated separately.
- The evaluation criteria are based on several factors.
- The hiring criteria are strict.
- Experience is one important criterion for the position.
Notice the difference:
The criterion is important.
The criteria are important.
The first sentence refers to one standard. The second refers to multiple standards.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Using “criteria is” for a plural meaning
❌ The criteria is clear.
✅ The criteria are clear.
Because criteria is plural in standard usage, it takes are.
Mistake 2: Using “criterion are”
❌ The main criterion are experience and education.
✅ The main criterion is experience.
If you have more than one standard, restructure the sentence:
✅ The main criteria are experience and education.
Mistake 3: Saying “criterions”
❌ The criterions are strict.
✅ The criteria are strict.
The standard plural of criterion is criteria, not criterions.
Mistake 4: Confusing criteria with requirements
Although criteria and requirements can be related, they are not always interchangeable.
Criteria are standards used to evaluate or judge something.
Requirements are things that must be satisfied or provided.
For example:
The selection criteria include experience and communication skills.
The application requirements include a passport and two photographs.
Memory Trick
Remember:
Criterion = One → Is
Criteria = More than one → Are
Think of the -on ending in criterion as pointing to one, while criteria represents a group of standards.
A quick formula is:
1 criterion → is
2+ criteria → are
American vs British English
The traditional distinction between criterion and criteria is used in both American and British English.
In formal writing in either variety, you will commonly see:
- The criterion is…
- The criteria are…
Informal usage can sometimes treat criteria as singular, especially when speakers think of it as one overall set of standards. However, this can sound less precise in formal contexts.
For academic writing, business documents, reports, and professional communication, maintaining the singular/plural distinction is a clear choice.
Similar Words
Several words are related to criterion and criteria:
- Standard — a level or rule used for comparison.
- Requirement — something that must be fulfilled.
- Condition — something that must exist or happen.
- Measure — a way of judging or assessing something.
- Guideline — advice or a general rule for action.
- Benchmark — a reference point used for comparison.
- Rule — a specific principle that must be followed.
- Specification — a detailed requirement or description.
For example:
Accuracy is an important criterion.
Accuracy is an important standard.
The words can be similar in meaning, but their grammatical behavior is different.
Final Verdict
If you are wondering whether to write “criteria is” or “criteria are,” use “criteria are” when criteria refers to multiple standards, conditions, or requirements.
Use “criterion is” for one standard.
The easiest rule is:
One criterion is. Multiple criteria are.
Although singular use of criteria occurs in informal English, the traditional distinction remains especially useful in formal, academic, and professional writing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “criteria are” grammatically correct?
Yes. “Criteria are” is grammatically correct when criteria refers to multiple standards, conditions, or requirements.
Is “criteria is” ever correct?
In informal usage, criteria is sometimes treated as a singular noun meaning a general set of standards. However, in careful formal English, use criteria are when referring to multiple criteria.
What is the singular of criteria?
The traditional singular form of criteria is criterion.
One criterion
Several criteria
Should I say “the criteria is” or “the criteria are”?
For standard formal English, say “the criteria are” when you mean several standards.
The criteria are clearly explained.
Is “criterion is” correct?
Yes. Criterion is singular, so it normally takes a singular verb.
The main criterion is quality.
What is the plural of criterion?
The traditional plural is criteria.
Criterion → Criteria
Can I say “criteria” for one requirement?
In careful English, it is better to use criterion for one standard and criteria for two or more standards.
What is the difference between criteria and criterion?
Criterion means one standard used for evaluation. Criteria traditionally means two or more such standards.
Remember This
Criterion = singular → is
Criteria = plural → are
Examples:
The criterion is important.
The criteria are important.
If you remember only one rule, remember: one criterion is, several criteria are.
Conclusion
The difference between criteria is and criteria are becomes simple once you recognize that criterion is traditionally singular and criteria is its plural form. Therefore, criterion is refers to one standard, while criteria are refers to multiple standards.
For clear formal English, especially in academic, business, and professional writing, maintain this distinction. When you mean several standards, write “the criteria are.” When you mean one standard, write “the criterion is.”
David Henry is a language enthusiast and content writer specializing in synonyms, vocabulary, and word meanings. He creates clear, engaging resources that help readers improve their writing, communication, and English skills.
