What’s the Plural of Synthesis?

When it comes to pluralizing words in English, most nouns simply follow the rule of adding an “s” or “es” at the end. However, words that derive from Greek or Latin often have irregular plurals that can be confusing. One such word is “synthesis.” In this article, we will explore the plural form of “synthesis,” provide examples of its usage, explain the rules behind its pluralization, and answer common questions regarding this word.

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What Does “Synthesis” Mean?

Before we dive into the plural form, let’s first define “synthesis.”

The word “synthesis” is a noun that refers to the combination of different ideas, elements, or substances to form a unified whole. In different fields, the meaning of “synthesis” may vary slightly, but the core concept remains the same: it involves bringing together separate components to create something new.

Common Uses of “Synthesis”:

• In Science: In chemistry and biology, “synthesis” refers to the creation of a compound by combining simpler substances. For example, protein synthesis refers to the process by which cells build proteins from amino acids.
• In Writing and Philosophy: “Synthesis” can also refer to the process of combining different ideas or arguments to form a cohesive viewpoint or theory. In philosophy, synthesis often follows the stages of thesis and antithesis, leading to a new, reconciled understanding.
• In Art or Music: In creative fields, “synthesis” may refer to blending different styles, techniques, or elements to create a new form of artistic expression.

Examples of “Synthesis” in Singular Form:

• The scientist conducted a new synthesis of organic compounds in the lab.
  (Here, “synthesis” refers to the combination of chemical substances to create a new compound.)
• Her essay provided a thoughtful synthesis of the various theories on human behavior.
  (In this sentence, “synthesis” refers to the integration of multiple theories into a single cohesive argument.)
• The artist’s work is a synthesis of modern and classical painting techniques.
  (Here, “synthesis” refers to the combination of different artistic styles.)

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What’s the Plural of “Synthesis”?

The plural of “synthesis” is “syntheses.” This follows a pattern common to many Greek-derived words in English, where the “-is” ending changes to “-es” in the plural form.

Why “Syntheses” Instead of “Synthesises”?

The word “synthesis” comes from the Greek word “synthesis,” meaning “a putting together” or “combination.” In Greek, the plural of words ending in “-is” is typically formed by changing the “-is” to “-es.” English has retained this rule for many words of Greek origin, such as:

• Crisis → Crises
• Analysis → Analyses
• Thesis → Theses

Thus, “synthesis” follows the same pattern. The plural form “syntheses” is pronounced /ˈsɪn.θə.siːz/ (with a long “e” sound in the second syllable).

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Examples of “Syntheses” in Sentences

Now that we know the correct plural form of “synthesis,” let’s look at some examples of “syntheses” in sentences to see how it is used in real contexts.

Everyday Usage:

• The paper examined the different syntheses of proteins across various species.
  (Here, “syntheses” refers to multiple processes of protein synthesis in different species.)
• In the field of psychology, there are many syntheses of cognitive and behavioral theories.
  (In this sentence, “syntheses” refers to the integration of different psychological theories.)
• The research project compared several syntheses of renewable energy sources to find the most efficient one.
  (Here, “syntheses” refers to different methods of combining renewable energy technologies.)

In Academic and Scientific Contexts:

• The chemist presented her findings on the different syntheses of polymers used in biodegradable packaging.
  (In this example, “syntheses” refers to various methods for creating polymers.)
• The study listed all the known syntheses of the drug, each offering a different approach to its production.
  (Here, “syntheses” refers to various methods of synthesizing a drug.)
• The philosopher is known for his many syntheses of historical and contemporary thought.
  (In this sentence, “syntheses” refers to different philosophical integrations of old and new ideas.)

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Singular vs. Plural: “Synthesis” vs. “Syntheses”

As with most nouns, “synthesis” has both a singular and plural form. “Synthesis” refers to one process or instance of combining ideas or substances, while “syntheses” refers to more than one. Let’s clarify this distinction with a few examples:

Singular (“Synthesis”) in Sentences:

• The scientist’s synthesis of the two compounds resulted in a new material with unique properties.
  (Here, “synthesis” refers to a single process of combining two compounds.)
• The essay offers a synthesis of several theories on human motivation.
  (In this sentence, “synthesis” refers to the integration of multiple theories into one argument.)
• The musician’s new album is an impressive synthesis of classical and electronic music.
  (Here, “synthesis” refers to the combination of two musical styles.)

Plural (“Syntheses”) in Sentences:

• The research paper explored various syntheses of the compound, each with different results.
  (Here, “syntheses” refers to multiple methods of combining substances.)
• The philosopher’s works include many syntheses of ancient and modern philosophical ideas.
  (In this sentence, “syntheses” refers to various combinations of philosophical ideas.)
• The biologist studied the different syntheses of proteins in various types of cells.
  (Here, “syntheses” refers to multiple processes of protein synthesis.)

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Why Do Some People Confuse the Plural of “Synthesis”?

The confusion around the plural of “synthesis” likely arises from the fact that most English nouns form their plurals by simply adding “-s” or “-es.” However, because “synthesis” is derived from Greek, it follows an irregular pluralization pattern, which can catch people off guard. Some may mistakenly think that “synthesises” is the correct plural form, but this is incorrect. The correct plural is “syntheses.”

Common Mistakes

Mistake 1: Using “Synthesises”
Some people incorrectly add “-es” to “synthesis” to form “synthesises.” This is not correct. The proper plural form is “syntheses.”

Incorrect:

• The chemist experimented with several synthesises of the new drug.

Correct:

• The chemist experimented with several syntheses of the new drug.

Mistake 2: Confusing “Synthesis” and “Syntheses”
Another common mistake is using “synthesis” when referring to multiple processes or ideas, or using “syntheses” when referring to just one.

Incorrect:

• The philosopher’s work is known for its many synthesis of historical ideas.
  (When referring to more than one synthesis, use “syntheses.”)

Correct:

• The philosopher’s work is known for its many syntheses of historical ideas.

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How to Use “Syntheses” Correctly in Sentences

Whether you’re discussing scientific research, philosophical ideas, or creative processes, knowing how to use “syntheses” correctly is important. Let’s look at some specific contexts where the plural form is used.

In Scientific Research:

• The research team compared various syntheses of the molecule to determine the most efficient method.
  (Here, “syntheses” refers to multiple methods of synthesizing the molecule.)
• The study documented the different syntheses of the compound across several laboratories.
  (In this sentence, “syntheses” refers to various instances of chemical synthesis.)
• The paper outlined the known syntheses of carbon nanotubes used in nanotechnology.
  (Here, “syntheses” refers to multiple synthesis processes involved in creating carbon nanotubes.)

In Philosophy and Writing:

• The philosopher is famous for his many syntheses of Eastern and Western thought.
  (In this context, “syntheses” refers to the integration of different philosophical traditions.)
• Her book provides several syntheses of existing theories on human consciousness.
  (Here, “syntheses” refers to different ways of combining theories.)
• The essay presented thoughtful syntheses of the available research on climate change.
  (In this sentence, “syntheses” refers to multiple integrations of research.)

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Common Questions and Misconceptions About “Syntheses”

Let’s address some common questions and misconceptions about the plural form of “synthesis.”

Question 1:

Is “synthesises” ever correct?

Answer:
No, “synthesises” is not correct. The proper plural form is “syntheses.”

Example:

• The study compared various syntheses of the drug to find the most effective one.

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Question 2:

Why isn’t the plural of “synthesis” just “synthesises”?

Answer:
Since “synthesis” is borrowed from Greek, it follows the Greek pluralization rule, where “-is” becomes “-es.” Therefore, the correct plural is “syntheses.”

Example:

• The scientist described several different syntheses of organic molecules.

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Question 3:

Which plural form should I use in formal writing: “syntheses” or “synthesises”?

Answer:
Always use “syntheses” in formal writing. “Synthesises” is incorrect and should be avoided.

Example (Correct for formal writing):

• The research paper examined multiple syntheses of the compound.

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Question 4:

Which sentence is correct?

a) The research paper listed several synthesises of the compound.
b) The research paper listed several syntheses of the compound.

Answer:
*b) The research paper listed several syntheses of the compound.

Explanation: The correct plural form of “synthesis” is “syntheses.”

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Practice Questions: Synthesis or Syntheses?

Let’s test your understanding of when to use “synthesis” and when to use “syntheses” with some practice questions.

Question 1:

Which word is correct in the following sentence?

• The professor discussed the different _ of the theory in class.

a) synthesis
b) syntheses

Answer:
b) syntheses

Explanation: Since the sentence refers to more than one synthesis, the correct plural form is “syntheses.”

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Question 2:

Fill in the blank with the correct word:

• The scientist conducted a new _ of the compound using a novel approach.

Answer:
Synthesis

Explanation: The sentence refers to a single instance of synthesis, so “synthesis” is the correct form.

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Question 3:

True or False:
“Synthesises” is an acceptable plural form of “synthesis.”

Answer:
False

Explanation: The correct plural form is “syntheses.” “Synthesises” is incorrect.

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Question 4:

Which sentence is correct?

a) The chemist performed multiple synthesises of the compound.
b) The chemist performed multiple syntheses of the compound.

Answer:
*b) The chemist performed multiple syntheses of the compound.

Explanation: The correct plural form of “synthesis” is “syntheses.”

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Conclusion

In summary, the plural form of “synthesis” is “syntheses.” This follows the Greek rule of pluralization, where “-is” becomes “-es” in the plural. Knowing and using the correct plural form is important in both scientific and academic contexts.

Key Takeaways:

• “Synthesis” is singular, referring to one process of combining elements or ideas.
• “Syntheses” is the correct plural form and should always be used when referring to more than one synthesis.
• Avoid using “synthesises,” as it is incorrect.

By mastering the proper plural form of “synthesis,” you can confidently use “syntheses” in a variety of contexts, whether you’re discussing scientific research, philosophical ideas, or creative processes.