🎓 Study English中文版
What does “analyse” mean?
analyse sth
/ˈænəlaɪz/
＝ to study something closely to understand it
“Analyse” is the British spelling and “analyze” is American. Hong Kong schools and the HKEAA usually use British spelling. The verb takes its object directly: analyse the data, with no “about”.
In plain English
To analyse something is to take it apart, look at each piece carefully, and find how the pieces connect and why.
Just saying what happened is describing, not analysing. You need to explain why, how and what it means. That is why teachers often write “more analysis needed”.
Learn the word family: analyse (verb), analysis (noun, plural analyses), analytical (adjective), analyst (a person who analyses).
5 meanings of analyse
- analyse somethingto study something in detail to understand itAcademic writing
We analysed the questionnaire data in Excel.
- analyse a text or a poemto look closely at how a text or poem works and what it meansAcademic writing
Students must analyse how the poet uses imagery.
- analysis, plural analysesthe careful study of something (noun)Research
Our analysis shows that price was the main concern.
- analyticalusing careful, logical thinkingCommon
The course trains students to be more analytical.
- an analysta person whose job is to analyse thingsCommon
She works as a data analyst at a bank.
Sentence patterns
| Pattern | Example |
|---|---|
| analyse the causes / effects of sth | This essay analyses the causes of Hong Kong’s low birth rate. |
| analyse how / why… | In the report, we analyse why some students skip breakfast. |
| carry out / conduct an analysis of sth | We carried out an analysis of 200 news headlines. |
| a detailed / careful / critical analysis | The marker wanted a more critical analysis of the sources. |
| on closer analysis | On closer analysis, the two graphs tell different stories. |
Real-life examples
💻 Data analysis in a statistics course
Jason: I have the survey results. What do we do next?
Chloe: Let’s analyse them by year of study first, then compare the groups.
📚 Reading a DSE English Paper 2 question
Teacher: Remember: the question says “analyse”, not “describe”. Explain why each factor matters.
🎓 An email to a professor
Dear Professor Lee, for my term paper I plan to analyse how three local newspapers reported the housing policy. Could I discuss my outline with you on Thursday?
Common mistakes
✗ This essay will analyse about the problem of air pollution.
✓ This essay will analyse the problem of air pollution.
“Analyse” takes its object directly, so no “about”. Only the noun uses “of”: an analysis of something.
✗ We did many analysis on the data.
✓ We carried out several analyses of the data.
The plural of “analysis” is “analyses” (said an-AL-uh-seez). It usually goes with “of”.
✗ I analysised the poem.
✓ I analysed the poem.
The verb is “analyse” and the past tense is “analysed”. “Analysis” is a noun and cannot take verb endings.
✗ He has a very analyse mind.
✓ He has a very analytical mind.
Before a noun, use the adjective “analytical”.
Before and after ✨
The introduction to a group report, rewritten with Dictionify’s Polish: removed words are crossed out and new words are highlighted.
In this report, we will analysis about why the students in our school do not like to read book. We do a survey and analyse it. Our analyse find that phone is the main reason.
In this report, we will analysis about analyse why the students in at our school do not like to read book. so few books. We do conducted a survey of 120 students, and analyse it. Our analyse find our analysis suggests that phone smartphone use is the main reason.
- will analysis about → analyse: use the verb with no “about”. Simple present “we analyse” is fine in an introduction.
- Our analyse find → our analysis suggests: the noun is “analysis”, and a singular subject takes “suggests”. “Suggests” is also more careful than “find”.
- We do a survey and analyse it → We conducted a survey of 120 students: use the past for finished steps and give the sample size to make it concrete.
Similar and opposite phrases
| Phrase | Meaning | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| examine | to look at something carefully | Also careful looking, but less about taking things apart and explaining causes. |
| evaluate | to judge how good or valuable something is | Goes beyond analysis: you must reach a judgement. Common in DSE questions. |
| interpret | to explain what something means | Focuses on meaning, e.g. interpreting data or a line of a poem. |
| break down | to split something into smaller parts | More casual, e.g. break down the costs. Less common in formal essays. |
Opposite: describe (to say what something is like or what happened, without explaining); summarise (to give the main points briefly)
Quick quiz
Pick an answer to check it straight away.
Which sentence is correct?
Answer: C. “Analyse” takes a direct object with no “about”, and “This essay” is singular, so add “s”.
The plural of “analysis” is…
Answer: A. It comes from Greek: -is becomes -es. Analysis → analyses, just like crisis → crises.
The question says “Analyse the causes of youth unemployment.” Which approach fits best?
Answer: B. Analysing means explaining causes and connections, not just listing facts or describing.
FAQ
“Analyse” or “analyze”: which one for the DSE?
“Analyse” is British and “analyze” is American; both are correct. The HKEAA and most Hong Kong schools use British spelling. The key is to be consistent in one piece of writing.
What is the difference between “analyse” and “evaluate” in a question?
“Analyse” asks you to break the issue down and explain causes, techniques or links. “Evaluate” also asks you to judge strengths and weaknesses and reach a conclusion, as in “To what extent…” questions.
Can I start an essay with “This essay analyses…”?
Yes, it is a common academic opening: “This essay analyses the impact of tourism on local residents.” You can also write “This essay will analyse…”. Just do not add “about”.
Do I need “an” before “analysis”?
It depends. For one specific piece of work, say “an analysis of the data”. For analysis as an activity in general, leave it out: “Further analysis is needed.”
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