Criterion and criteria have the same basic meaning, but they are different in number. Criterion is singular, meaning one standard, requirement, or rule used to judge something.
Criteria is plural, meaning two or more standards or requirements.
For example, “Experience is an important criterion” refers to one standard, while “Experience and education are important criteria” refers to two standards.
These words are common in academic writing, business, research, job applications, evaluations, and everyday discussions about decisions.
They can be confusing because criteria does not form its plural by simply adding “s.”
It is an established plural form inherited from the word’s Greek and Latin history.
The good news is that the distinction is easy to remember: one criterion, several criteria.
Knowing this rule will also help you avoid common errors such as “a criteria” and “criteria is.”
Quick Answer
Criterion is the singular form and means one standard used to judge or evaluate something. Criteria is the plural form and means two or more standards. Use “one criterion” but “several criteria.” For example, “Price is one criterion,” while “Price and quality are two criteria.”
Why Do People Confuse “Criteria” and “Criterion”?
People often confuse these words because criteria looks unusual as a plural.
Many English nouns form their plural by adding -s:
- rule → rules
- standard → standards
- requirement → requirements
But criterion follows a different pattern:
- criterion → criteria
This pattern comes from the word’s Greek origin and its historical development through Latin.
Another common problem is that people sometimes treat criteria as a singular word because it ends in -a.
For example:
This criteria is important. ❌
The standard form is:
This criterion is important. ✓
When there is more than one standard, use:
These criteria are important. ✓
First Word: Criterion
Criterion is a singular noun meaning one standard, condition, or principle used to evaluate, judge, or make a decision.
What does “criterion” mean?
A criterion is something you use to decide whether something meets a particular standard.
For example:
Cost is an important criterion when choosing a new car.
Here, cost is one standard being considered.
You can also say:
- a criterion
- one criterion
- this criterion
- each criterion
- the main criterion
Examples of “criterion”
Experience is an important criterion for the job.
Safety was the main criterion in our decision.
Each criterion must be evaluated separately.
Because criterion is singular, it normally takes a singular verb:
The main criterion is affordability.
Second Word: Criteria
Criteria is the standard plural form of criterion. It refers to two or more standards, conditions, or requirements used to evaluate something.
For example:
The company has several criteria for selecting employees.
Here, there are multiple standards.
Common expressions include:
- several criteria
- many criteria
- these criteria
- different criteria
- the criteria
- selection criteria
- evaluation criteria
Because criteria is plural, it normally takes a plural verb:
The criteria are clearly explained.
Not:
The criteria is clearly explained. ❌
Criteria vs Criterion: Comparison Table
| Word | Number | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| criterion | Singular | One standard or requirement | Cost is an important criterion. |
| criteria | Plural | Two or more standards or requirements | Cost and quality are important criteria. |
| a criterion | Singular | One specific standard | Experience is a key criterion. |
| several criteria | Plural | Multiple standards | Applicants must meet several criteria. |
When Should You Use “Criterion” or “Criteria”?
Use “criterion” for one standard
Use criterion when you are talking about exactly one standard, condition, or requirement.
The main criterion is reliability.
Only one standard is being identified: reliability.
Other examples:
- Age is one criterion for participation.
- Price was our deciding criterion.
- This criterion is difficult to measure.
Use “criteria” for multiple standards
Use criteria when you are referring to two or more standards.
Price, quality, and durability are important criteria.
There are three standards in this example.
Other examples:
- The applicants must meet several criteria.
- The selection criteria are clearly stated.
- We used different criteria to evaluate the products.
A quick grammar test
Ask yourself whether you mean one or more than one.
If you mean one:
one criterion
If you mean more than one:
two criteria
several criteria
many criteria
This simple test works in most everyday situations.
14 Examples of Criterion and Criteria
Examples with “criterion”
- Price is an important criterion when buying a laptop.
- Experience is one criterion for this position.
- Safety was the main criterion for choosing the product.
- Academic performance is an important criterion for admission.
- Reliability is our most important criterion.
- Each criterion must be considered carefully.
- One criterion for approval is financial stability.
Examples with “criteria”
- The university has several criteria for admission.
- Price and quality are important criteria for customers.
- The candidates must meet all the criteria.
- We used three criteria to compare the proposals.
- The company has strict criteria for hiring employees.
- The products were evaluated according to different criteria.
- The researchers established clear criteria for selecting participants.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Saying “a criteria”
Incorrect:
A criteria for selection is experience.
Correct:
A criterion for selection is experience.
Because a refers to one thing, you need the singular criterion.
Mistake 2: Saying “criteria is”
Incorrect:
The criteria is difficult to meet.
Correct:
The criteria are difficult to meet.
Criteria is plural, so use are.
Mistake 3: Saying “criterion are”
Incorrect:
The main criterion are cost and quality.
If you mean multiple standards, use:
The main criteria are cost and quality.
Mistake 4: Using “criterion” for multiple standards
Incorrect:
The selection criterion include age, experience, and education.
Correct:
The selection criteria include age, experience, and education.
Mistake 5: Assuming “criteria” always means one thing
Although criteria can refer to a group of standards considered together, grammatically it is still a plural noun in standard formal usage.
So:
The criteria are clear. ✓
not:
The criteria is clear. ❌
Memory Trick
The easiest rule is:
One criterion, many criteria.
Think of the endings:
- criterion → one
- criteria → more than one
You can also memorize this example:
One criterion is important.
Several criteria are important.
If you remember “one criterion, several criteria,” you will avoid most mistakes.
American vs. British English
The distinction between criterion and criteria is essentially the same in American and British English.
Both varieties use:
criterion for one standard
and:
criteria for multiple standards
For example:
American English:
The main criterion is cost.
British English:
The main criterion is cost.
Likewise:
The criteria are clearly defined.
is standard in both varieties.
There is no major American-British difference that changes the basic singular and plural rule.
Similar Words
Standard
A standard is a level, rule, or measure used to judge something.
Quality is an important standard.
Requirement
A requirement is something that must be satisfied.
A degree is a requirement for this position.
A requirement can be one of several criteria.
Condition
A condition is something that must be true or fulfilled.
One condition of the agreement is confidentiality.
Factor
A factor is something that influences a result or decision.
Price was an important factor in our decision.
A factor can be a consideration, while a criterion is specifically a standard used for evaluation or judgment.
Measure
A measure can be a method or standard for assessing something.
Customer satisfaction is one measure of success.
Final Verdict
The difference between criterion and criteria is simple: criterion is singular, while criteria is plural.
Use criterion when you mean one standard, requirement, or condition. Use criteria when you mean two or more standards.
The most useful rule to remember is:
One criterion, several criteria.
So, say “the criterion is” when discussing one standard and “the criteria are” when discussing multiple standards.
FAQs
1. What is the difference between criterion and criteria?
Criterion is singular and means one standard used to judge or evaluate something. Criteria is plural and means two or more standards.
2. Is “criteria” singular or plural?
Criteria is normally plural in standard English.
The criteria are important.
The singular form is criterion.
3. Is it “criteria is” or “criteria are”?
The standard form is “criteria are.”
The criteria are clearly defined.
Because criteria refers to multiple standards, it takes the plural verb are.
4. Can I say “a criteria”?
No. The correct singular expression is “a criterion.”
A criterion for selection is previous experience.
For multiple standards, say:
Several criteria must be met.
5. What is the plural of criterion?
The standard plural of criterion is criteria.
One criterion
Two criteria
Several criteria
6. Is “criterions” the plural of criterion?
Criterions is found occasionally, but criteria is the standard and widely preferred plural form, especially in formal, academic, and professional writing.
7. What is an example using criterion and criteria together?
Price is one criterion, while price, quality, and durability are three criteria.
This clearly demonstrates the difference between singular and plural.
8. What is the difference between criteria and standards?
Criteria are specific standards or conditions used to evaluate something. Standards is a broader word that can refer to expected levels of quality, behavior, or performance.
Remember This
Criterion = one.
Criteria = two or more.
One criterion is important.
Several criteria are important.
A criterion ✓
Several criteria ✓
Criterion is ✓
Criteria are ✓
A criteria ✗
Criteria is ✗
Conclusion
The words criterion and criteria are closely related, but the key difference is number. Criterion is the singular form for one standard, condition, or requirement used to make a judgment. Criteria is the plural form for two or more standards. These words are especially common in academic, professional, scientific, and business contexts.
The simplest way to remember the difference is “one criterion, several criteria.” If you are talking about a single standard, use criterion. If you are discussing multiple standards, use criteria. Remembering this small rule will help you avoid common errors such as “a criteria” and “criteria is” and make your English more precise.
