“Criterion” and “criteria” refer to standards used to judge or evaluate something, and the key difference between them is number. “Criterion” is singular it means one single standard or rule for example, “Price was the main criterion for his decision.” “Criteria” is the plural form, used when referring to two or more standards for example, “The judges used several criteria to score the contestants.” A common mistake is using “criteria” as if it were singular (like saying “one criteria”), but the correct singular is always “criterion.” A quick way to remember: “criterion” ends in -on (one standard), while “criteria” ends in -a (many standards). The word comes from the Greek kritērion, meaning a means of judging.
Confusing Words: Criteria (noun) and Criterion (noun)
Meaning:
Criteria (a principle or standard by which something may be judged or decided.)
Criterion (a principle or standard by which something may be judged or decided – plural.)
Criteria vs Criterion Clarification: The two words carry the same meaning. The term, Criteria is simply the plural for criterion.
Criteria vs Criterion – What is the Difference, Definition & Meaning?
From the above two words, criterion is perhaps not a commonly used word. However, the word ‘criteria’ is a commonly used word. As a writer or a speaker, you use criteria more often than criterion. Let me first define the word ‘criteria’ then, I will reveal a truth behind criteria vs. criterion.
Criteria
‘Criteria’ is used as a noun or a word within a sentence. It is used to refer to a basis or a principle through which one can evaluate or test something. It is synonymous with standard, measure, or a scale.
1. You should meet the following criteria otherwise; you will not be selected for the sports competition.
Criterion
Criterion has the same definition as of criteria. The fact is that criterion is the singular form of criteria.
1. We surely need a valid criterion for this course.
It means that the word ‘criteria’ is a plural noun.
Criteria = Plural Noun
Criterion = Singular Noun
Most of the people do not use criterion as a singular noun; instead, they use ‘criteria’ in the plural as well as in singular contexts.
1. As a renowned organization, you should clear up this specific criteria. (Incorrect)
2. As a renowned organization, you should clear up this specific criterion. (correct)
3. As a renowned organization, you should clear up these criteria. (Correct)
4. As renowned organization, you should clear up these criterion. (Incorrect)
Check Out: Difference Between Convince and Persuade.
Other Examples
1. Our criteria for deciding what’s good and what’s bad is very fickle, especially in this country. (Roberta Flack)
2. A major criterion for judging the anxiety level of any society is the loss of its capacity to be playful. (Edwin H. Friedman)
What Did You Learn?
Criteria as a singular as well as a plural noun. In case you want your writing to be error-free then, make sure that ‘criteria’ is a plural noun form of the word ‘criterion’.
If you want to refer to a single basis or a principle through which one can evaluate or test something then, you should choose the word ‘criterion’.
If you want to refer to more than one criterion then, you can easily choose ‘criteria’ as a plural noun.