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Thesis noun [c] ( idea ).
(Definition of thesis from the Cambridge Learner's Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)
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Published on January 11, 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on August 15, 2023 by Eoghan Ryan.
A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay . It usually comes near the end of your introduction .
Your thesis will look a bit different depending on the type of essay you’re writing. But the thesis statement should always clearly state the main idea you want to get across. Everything else in your essay should relate back to this idea.
You can write your thesis statement by following four simple steps:
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What is a thesis statement, placement of the thesis statement, step 1: start with a question, step 2: write your initial answer, step 3: develop your answer, step 4: refine your thesis statement, types of thesis statements, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about thesis statements.
A thesis statement summarizes the central points of your essay. It is a signpost telling the reader what the essay will argue and why.
The best thesis statements are:
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The thesis statement generally appears at the end of your essay introduction or research paper introduction .
The spread of the internet has had a world-changing effect, not least on the world of education. The use of the internet in academic contexts and among young people more generally is hotly debated. For many who did not grow up with this technology, its effects seem alarming and potentially harmful. This concern, while understandable, is misguided. The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its many benefits for education: the internet facilitates easier access to information, exposure to different perspectives, and a flexible learning environment for both students and teachers.
You should come up with an initial thesis, sometimes called a working thesis , early in the writing process . As soon as you’ve decided on your essay topic , you need to work out what you want to say about it—a clear thesis will give your essay direction and structure.
You might already have a question in your assignment, but if not, try to come up with your own. What would you like to find out or decide about your topic?
For example, you might ask:
After some initial research, you can formulate a tentative answer to this question. At this stage it can be simple, and it should guide the research process and writing process .
Now you need to consider why this is your answer and how you will convince your reader to agree with you. As you read more about your topic and begin writing, your answer should get more detailed.
In your essay about the internet and education, the thesis states your position and sketches out the key arguments you’ll use to support it.
The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its many benefits for education because it facilitates easier access to information.
In your essay about braille, the thesis statement summarizes the key historical development that you’ll explain.
The invention of braille in the 19th century transformed the lives of blind people, allowing them to participate more actively in public life.
A strong thesis statement should tell the reader:
The final thesis statement doesn’t just state your position, but summarizes your overall argument or the entire topic you’re going to explain. To strengthen a weak thesis statement, it can help to consider the broader context of your topic.
These examples are more specific and show that you’ll explore your topic in depth.
Your thesis statement should match the goals of your essay, which vary depending on the type of essay you’re writing:
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A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay . Everything else you write should relate to this key idea.
The thesis statement is essential in any academic essay or research paper for two main reasons:
Without a clear thesis statement, an essay can end up rambling and unfocused, leaving your reader unsure of exactly what you want to say.
Follow these four steps to come up with a thesis statement :
The thesis statement should be placed at the end of your essay introduction .
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McCombes, S. (2023, August 15). How to Write a Thesis Statement | 4 Steps & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved September 11, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/academic-essay/thesis-statement/
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What is the plural of thesis.
The Quick Answer
Table of Contents
The standard rules for forming the plurals, why is there confusion over the plural of thesis.
Type | Example of Type | Forming the Plural | Plural |
---|---|---|---|
Most Nouns | add s | ||
Noun Ending s, sh, ch, x or z | add es | ||
Nouns ending [consonant] o | add either s or es (There are no rules for this - you have to know.) | ||
Nouns ending [vowel] o | add s | ||
Nouns ending [consonant] y | change the y to an i and add es | ||
Nouns ending [vowel] y | add s | ||
Nouns ending f or fe | ves and/or s (There are no rules - you have to know.) | ||
Nouns ending is | | change the "is" to "es" | |
Exceptions | some nouns undergo a vowel or letters change | ||
More exceptions | some nouns do not change at all | ||
Foreign rulings | some nouns adopt foreign rulings |
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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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Do you know the plural of thesis? Understanding the correct plural of thesis is important not only for academic writing, but for general communication as well. Whether you’re discussing multiple research papers or simply trying to sound knowledgeable in a conversation, using the correct plural form can help you make a good impression and avoid any confusion or misunderstandings.
Plural of Thesis
When writing a research paper or dissertation, the central argument or main point is known as a thesis. A thesis is a statement or proposition that is put forward as a premise to be maintained or proved. It is a crucial element of academic writing and is often required for a degree or certification.
The plural of thesis is “theses.” In English, most nouns form the plural by adding an “s” at the end. However, “thesis” is one of the few exceptions to this rule. The word “thesis” has a Greek root, and “theses” is how it is pluralized in that original language.
Singular | Plural |
---|---|
Thesis | Theses |
It is important to note that “theses” is the only way to make the noun “thesis” plural. There is no alternative form of the plural for this word.
In academic writing, the plural form “theses” is commonly used when referring to multiple research papers or dissertations. For example, “I have read several theses on this topic, and they all have different viewpoints.”
When writing academic papers or conducting research, it is important to understand when to use the word “thesis” and its plural form, “theses.” Here are some guidelines to help you use these words correctly:
If you are wondering how to use the word “thesis” in a sentence, here are a few examples:
As you can see, “thesis” is used to refer to a statement or argument put forth by a writer or speaker, as well as a research paper written by a student to earn a degree.
Now, let’s take a look at the plural form of “thesis.” According to Grammar Monster, the only correct way to form the plural of “thesis” is “theses.” Here are some examples of how to use “theses” in a sentence:
When forming the plural of regular nouns, there are some standard rules to follow. These rules apply to most English nouns, including “thesis.” Here are the basic guidelines:
It’s important to note that there are some irregular nouns that don’t follow these rules. For example, “child” becomes “children,” “foot” becomes “feet,” and “tooth” becomes “teeth.” However, “thesis” is a regular noun, so it follows the standard rules for forming the plural.
When it comes to forming the plural of nouns in English, there are some general rules that apply to most words. However, there are also many irregular nouns that don’t follow these rules and have unique plural forms. In this section, we’ll go over some common irregular plural nouns and the rules for forming their plurals.
Here are some examples of irregular plural nouns that you may come across:
Singular | Plural |
---|---|
Child | Children |
Foot | Feet |
Goose | Geese |
Man | Men |
Mouse | Mice |
Tooth | Teeth |
Woman | Women |
Nouns that end in “us” often have a plural form that ends in “i”. For example:
Singular | Plural |
---|---|
Cactus | Cacti |
Focus | Foci |
Radius | Radii |
Nouns that end in “is” may have a plural form that ends in “es”. For example:
Singular | Plural |
---|---|
Analysis | Analyses |
Basis | Bases |
Crisis | Crises |
Nouns that end in “on” may have a plural form that ends in “a”. For example:
Singular | Plural |
---|---|
Criterion | Criteria |
Phenomenon | Phenomena |
Vertex | Vertices |
Some nouns have the same form for both the singular and plural. For example:
Singular | Plural |
---|---|
Deer | Deer |
Fish | Fish |
Sheep | Sheep |
Some words may look like plural nouns but are actually singular nouns. For example:
Singular | Plural |
---|---|
News | – |
Mathematics | – |
Physics | – |
When it comes to forming the plural of nouns, collective nouns can be a bit tricky. A collective noun refers to a group of people or things as a single entity. For example, “team” is a collective noun because it refers to a group of individuals working together towards a common goal.
The challenge with collective nouns is deciding whether to treat them as singular or plural. In American English, collective nouns are usually treated as singular, while in British English, they can be treated as either singular or plural depending on the context.
Here are some examples of collective nouns and how they can be treated in different contexts:
Collective Noun | Singular Example | Plural Example |
---|---|---|
audience | The audience is enjoying the show. | The audience are clapping their hands. |
family | My family is going on vacation. | My family are all different ages. |
staff | The staff is working hard. | The staff are taking their lunch breaks. |
As you can see, the choice of whether to use a singular or plural verb depends on whether you are referring to the group as a single entity or as individuals within the group.
When it comes to forming the plural of collective nouns, the same rules apply as for regular nouns. For example, the plural of “team” is “teams”, and the plural of “family” is “families”.
When it comes to forming the plural of nouns, there are standard rules that apply to most words in the English language. However, there are some exceptions, such as the word “thesis.” The plural of “thesis” is “theses,” and this is the only correct way to form the plural of this word.
On the other hand, when it comes to forming possessive nouns, there are a few rules to keep in mind. Here are some key points to remember:
It’s important to note that possessive nouns should not be confused with plural nouns. While they may look similar, they serve different grammatical functions. Possessive nouns show ownership or possession, while plural nouns simply refer to more than one of something.
When it comes to forming the plural of nouns, there are some common mistakes that are made. Here are a few things to keep in mind when forming the plural of the word “thesis” and other nouns:
One common mistake is adding an apostrophe to a noun to make it plural. For example, “the thesis’s” instead of “the theses.” This is incorrect and should be avoided.
Some nouns have irregular plurals that do not follow the standard rules. For example, “child” becomes “children” and “goose” becomes “geese.” It is important to learn these irregular plurals to avoid mistakes.
Some nouns, like “thesis,” can cause confusion over their plural form. “Theses” is the only correct way to make “thesis” plural. Other words that end in “-is” may also have irregular plurals, such as “crisis” becoming “crises.”
It is important to use the correct count nouns when referring to multiple instances of something. For example, “studies” instead of “researches,” and “pieces of evidence” instead of “evidences.” Using the incorrect count noun can make your writing sound awkward or confusing.
What is the correct plural form of ‘thesis’?
The correct plural form of ‘thesis’ is ‘theses.’ It is an irregular plural noun that does not follow the typical -s/-es suffix used for regular plural nouns.
How is ‘thesis’ used in a sentence?
‘Thesis’ refers to a statement or theory that is put forward as a premise to be maintained or proved. An example sentence would be: “Her thesis on the effects of climate change was well-researched and presented.”
What is the origin of the word ‘thesis’?
The word ‘thesis’ comes from the Greek word ‘tithenai,’ which means ‘to place’ or ‘to put.’ In academia, it refers to a statement or theory that is put forward as a premise to be maintained or proved.
What is the difference between ‘thesis’ and ‘theses’?
‘Thesis’ is the singular form of the word, while ‘theses’ is the plural form. ‘Thesis’ refers to a single statement or theory, while ‘theses’ refers to multiple statements or theories.
The plural of thesis is the word 'theses'.
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To pluralize 'thesis', you simply add 'es' to the end of the word. This is because 'thesis' ends in 'is', which is a singular noun ending.
"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Is the plural of thesis 'theses'?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"
Yes, the plural of thesis is 'theses'.
"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What is the irregular plural form of thesis?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"
'Theses' is not an irregular plural form of thesis. It is a regular plural form.
"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What are some examples of irregular plural nouns?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"
Some examples of irregular plural nouns include 'child' (children), 'tooth' (teeth), and 'foot' (feet).
"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How do you correctly pluralize nouns ending in -is?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"
To correctly pluralize nouns ending in -is, you simply change the 'is' to 'es'. For example, the plural of 'thesis' is 'theses', and the plural of 'analysis' is 'analyses'.
IMAGES
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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. ... thesis noun. the· sis ˈthē-səs . British especially for sense 3 ˈthe-sis.
thesis (that…) a statement or an opinion that is discussed in a logical way and presented with evidence in order to prove that it is true. The basic thesis of the book is fairly simple. These latest findings support the thesis that sexuality is determined by nature rather than choice.
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.
THESIS definition: 1. a long piece of writing on a particular subject, especially one that is done for a higher…. Learn more.
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. prosody (Middle English) music (Middle English) rhetoric (late 1500s) logic (late 1500s) education (late 1700s) philosophy (1830s)
THESIS meaning: 1. a long piece of writing on a particular subject, especially one that is done for a higher…. Learn more.
thesis in American English. (ˈθisɪs) noun Word forms: plural -ses (-siz) 1. a proposition stated or put forward for consideration, esp. one to be discussed and proved or to be maintained against objections. He vigorously defended his thesis on the causes of war. 2. a subject for a composition or essay. 3.
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.
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. ... The noun thesis has more than one important sense to it. One definition of thesis is that it is the most important or ...
thesis (plural theses) Senses relating to logic, rhetoric, etc. (rhetoric) A proposition or statement supported by arguments. (by extension) A lengthy essay written to establish the validity of a thesis (sense 1.1), especially one submitted in order to complete the requirements for a non- doctoral degree in the US and a doctoral degree in the ...
THESIS meaning: 1. a long piece of writing that you do as part of an advanced university course: 2. a theory that…. Learn more.
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 / ˈ θiːsəs/ noun. plural theses / ˈθiːˌsiːz/. Britannica Dictionary definition of THESIS. [count] 1. : a long piece of writing on a particular subject that is done to earn a degree at a university. She wrote her thesis on Renaissance Nativity scenes. a master's/doctoral thesis on the effects of global warming. 2.
A complete guide to the word "THESIS": definitions, pronunciations, synonyms, grammar insights, collocations, examples, and translations.
Thesis: In contrast, "thesis" is a noun that has a more specific meaning. It refers to a statement or theory that is put forward and supported by arguments in a written work, such as an essay or a research paper. A thesis is typically the central idea or main argument of a piece of writing. It serves as a guiding principle and provides a ...
Noun. ( countable) A thesis is a long paper that university students at the masters or doctoral level write. I finished my coursework and have been working on my thesis for about a year now. She's writing her thesis on the effects of TV on children. ( countable) A thesis is a main idea or argument that is developed or explained.
noun. We disagreed with the basic thesis of the report. The book's central thesis is that propaganda influences the masses in important ways. New evidence supports his thesis. She wrote her thesis on Renaissance Nativity scenes. This involved carving away the parts of Smith's thought that didn't fit the thesis.
THESIS definition: 1. a long piece of writing that you do as part of an advanced university course: 2. a theory that…. Learn more.
Step 2: Write your initial answer. After some initial research, you can formulate a tentative answer to this question. At this stage it can be simple, and it should guide the research process and writing process. The internet has had more of a positive than a negative effect on education.
"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.
Regular nouns (end in -s/-es). By Gflex on Canva. 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.)
However, "thesis" is a regular noun, so it follows the standard rules for forming the plural. Plural Noun Rules for Irregular Nouns. When it comes to forming the plural of nouns in English, there are some general rules that apply to most words. However, there are also many irregular nouns that don't follow these rules and have unique ...