Many English learners feel unsure when they see the word criteria. The confusion usually comes from one simple question: should we say “the criteria is” or “the criteria are”?
You may hear both forms in everyday speech, and that can make the choice even harder. A sentence such as “The criteria is very clear” may sound natural to some speakers, while “The criteria are very clear” may sound more formal to others. So, which one is correct?
The key is to understand the history and number of the word. Criteria is traditionally the plural form of criterion. Therefore, in careful standard English, we normally use a plural verb with criteria. For example, “The criteria are strict” is grammatically correct when criteria means several standards or requirements Criteria Is or Criteria Are.
However, English changes over time. In modern informal English, some speakers use criteria as if it were singular, especially when they think of it as one general set of requirements. This explains why you may sometimes encounter “criteria is” in real-world writing.Criteria Is or Criteria Are.
Understanding this small grammar point can make your English more accurate in academic writing, business communication, applications, reports, exams, and professional conversations.
By the end, you will know exactly when to use criteria is or criteria are, how criterion and criteria are different, and how to avoid the most common mistakes.Criteria Is or Criteria Are.
What Does “Criteria” Mean?
The word criteria means the standards, rules, conditions, or points that are used to judge something or make a decision.Criteria Is or Criteria Are.
For example, imagine a company is hiring a new employee. The company may have several requirements:
- The applicant must have a degree.
- The applicant must have two years of experience.
- The applicant must speak English well.
These requirements are called criteria.
The singular form is criterion. One standard is a criterion, while two or more standards are criteria.Criteria Is or Criteria Are.
The basic grammar rule
Because criteria is traditionally plural, it normally takes a plural verb.
So we say:
The criteria are clear.
Not:
The criteria is clear.
Here are some examples:
- The criteria are easy to understand.Criteria Is or Criteria Are.
- The selection criteria are very strict.
- These criteria are important for the final decision.
- The admission criteria are listed on the university website.
- Our criteria are based on quality and experience.
- The judging criteria are different this year.
- All the criteria are explained in the application form.
- The criteria for acceptance are quite simple.
Notice that the verb are agrees with the plural noun criteria.
Why does “criteria” look singular?
This is where many learners become confused.
Words such as criteria, media, and data come from Latin and Greek. Their plural forms do not always look like the regular English plurals we learn first.Criteria Is or Criteria Are.
For example:
- one criterion → two criteria
- one phenomenon → several phenomena
- one analysis → several analyses
- one basis → several bases
A learner may see criteria and think it is one thing because it describes one group of requirements. But grammatically, the word itself is traditionally plural.
This distinction is important when deciding between criteria is or criteria are.Criteria Is or Criteria Are.
Criteria can refer to a group
Another reason people become confused is that criteria often refers to a complete set of requirements.Criteria Is or Criteria Are.
For example:
The criteria are difficult to meet.
Here, the criteria may be presented together as one list. Even so, criteria is plural because it represents several standards.
Think of it like this:
One requirement = one criterion
Several requirements = several criteria
That simple idea solves most problems involving criteria is or criteria are.
What Does “Criterion” Mean?
Criterion is the singular form of criteria.
It means one standard, rule, condition, or requirement used to judge something.Criteria Is or Criteria Are.
If you have only one standard, use criterion.
For example:
Cost is an important criterion.
This means cost is one standard used to make a decision.
If you have several standards, use criteria:
Cost and quality are important criteria.Criteria Is or Criteria Are.
Now there are two standards: cost and quality.
Grammar rule for criterion
Because criterion is singular, it normally takes a singular verb.
For example:
- This criterion is important.
- The main criterion is quality.
- Cost is one important criterion.
- This criterion is difficult to meet.
- The first criterion is related to experience.
- One criterion is enough for this basic test.
- The most important criterion is safety.Criteria Is or Criteria Are.
- A clear criterion is needed for judging the entries.
In each sentence, criterion is singular, so we use is.
Criterion versus criteria
Compare these two sentences:
The main criterion is experience.
There is one main standard.
The main criteria are experience and education.
There are several standards.
This is the central grammar difference between criterion and criteria.Criteria Is or Criteria Are.
It also explains the correct choice in the question criteria is or criteria are.
A common learner mistake
Some learners use criterions as the plural of criterion.
For standard English, this is not the normal plural form. The accepted traditional plural is criteria.
So:
❌ The criterions are important.
✅ The criteria are important.
Likewise, do not change criterion into criteria when you are talking about only one standard.
❌ One criteria is necessary.
✅ One criterion is necessary.
The phrase one criteria is incorrect because one requires a singular noun.
Difference Between Criteria and Criterion
The difference is mainly about number.
| Word | Number | Meaning | Correct verb | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| criterion | Singular | One standard | is | The criterion is simple. |
| criteria | Plural | Two or more standards | are | The criteria are simple. |
Usage difference
Use criterion when you mean one standard or requirement.
Age is one criterion for entry.
Use criteria when you mean multiple standards or requirements.Criteria Is or Criteria Are.
Age and experience are two criteria for entry.
This is why the answer to criteria is or criteria are is usually criteria are.
Grammar logic
English verbs should normally agree with the subject in number.Criteria Is or Criteria Are.
A singular subject generally takes a singular verb:
The criterion is important.
A plural subject generally takes a plural verb:
The criteria are important.
The important point is that the meaning of the whole phrase does not change the grammatical number of the noun.Criteria Is or Criteria Are.
For example:
The criteria are difficult to satisfy.
Even though “the criteria” may refer to one complete list, the noun criteria remains plural in traditional standard English.Criteria Is or Criteria Are.
Sentence structure difference
The patterns are simple:
Singular:
The + criterion + is + adjective.
Example:
The criterion is fair.
Plural:
The + criteria + are + adjective.
Example:
The criteria are fair.
Another useful pattern is:
One criterion is…
and:
Several criteria are…
Examples:
One criterion is required.
Several criteria are required.
Meaning comparison
Suppose a school selects students based on grades, attendance, and behavior.Criteria Is or Criteria Are.
You could say:
Academic performance is one criterion.
Here, academic performance is one standard.
But:
Academic performance, attendance, and behavior are three criteria.
Here, there are three standards.Criteria Is or Criteria Are.
So, when deciding between criteria is or criteria are, first ask yourself: Am I talking about one criterion or several criteria?
Grammar Rules You Must Remember
1. Use “is” with “criterion”
When you are talking about one standard, use criterion + is.
The main criterion is academic performance.
One important criterion is honesty.
The final criterion is related to cost.
Do not use criteria simply because the word sounds more formal. Choose the noun according to the number of standards you mean.
2. Use “are” with “criteria”
When you are talking about two or more standards, use criteria + are.
The criteria are clearly explained.
The selection criteria are strict.
Our criteria are based on quality.
This is the main rule behind criteria is or criteria are.
If criteria is the subject of your sentence, are is the standard choice in careful English.
3. “One criterion” is correct
The phrase one criterion is singular.
One criterion is required for admission.
Not:
❌ One criteria is required.
The number word one gives you a strong clue that you need the singular noun criterion.
4. “Several criteria” is correct
Use criteria with words such as:
- several
- many
- different
- various
- multiple
- these
- those
Examples:
Several criteria are used to select the winner.
These criteria are important.
Various criteria are considered during the interview.
This is a useful way to recognize when criteria are is required.
5. Do not let a nearby singular noun confuse you
Sometimes a phrase contains a singular noun after criteria.
For example:
The criteria for the job are clear.
The word job is singular, but it does not control the verb. The subject is criteria, which is plural.
Therefore:
The criteria for the job are clear.
not:
❌ The criteria for the job is clear.
The same pattern appears in:
The criteria for admission are strict.
The criteria for success are different for each person.
6. “A criterion” takes “is”
The article a can help you identify the singular form.
A criterion is necessary.
You cannot normally say:
❌ A criteria is necessary.
Remember:
a criterion → is
the criteria → are
This small pattern is worth memorizing.
7. “Criteria” can sometimes be treated as singular in informal usage
You may encounter sentences such as:
The criteria is not clear.
This usage exists, especially in informal speech and modern everyday writing. Some speakers treat criteria as a singular collective idea, meaning “the overall set of requirements.”
However, if you are writing an exam answer, academic paper, formal report, professional document, or English-learning material, the safer and more traditionally correct choice is:
The criteria are not clear.
That form avoids criticism and follows the traditional number of the noun.
Common Mistakes Students Make
Why these mistakes happen
The biggest problem is that criteria looks like an ordinary singular English word.
Learners may also hear native or fluent speakers use criteria is, especially in informal situations. As a result, they may think both forms are equally correct in every situation.
They are not equally safe in formal standard English.
The best approach is to remember the traditional grammar:
criterion = singular
criteria = plural
Therefore:
criterion is
criteria are
Mistake 1: Using “criteria is”
❌ The criteria is very important.
✅ The criteria are very important.
Why? Because criteria is traditionally plural.
Mistake 2: Using “criterion are”
❌ The criterion are difficult to meet.
✅ The criterion is difficult to meet.
Here, there is only one standard, so criterion is singular.
Mistake 3: Saying “one criteria”
❌ One criteria is missing.
✅ One criterion is missing.
The word one refers to a single standard.
Mistake 4: Using “criterions”
❌ The criterions are listed below.
✅ The criteria are listed below.
The traditional plural of criterion is criteria.
Mistake 5: Confusing the object of “for” with the subject
Look at this sentence:
The criteria for the position are demanding.
Some learners see position and think the verb should be is because position is singular.
But position is not the subject. Criteria is the subject.
So the correct form is:
The criteria for the position are demanding.
Easy correction tip
When you are unsure, temporarily remove the extra phrase.
Take:
The criteria for the position are demanding.
Remove “for the position”:
The criteria are demanding.
Now the correct verb is obvious.
This trick works with many grammar questions.
Easy Trick to Remember the Difference
Here is the easiest memory trick:
One “criterion” has an “-on”; many “criteria” have an “-a.”
Think:
One → criterion → is
Many → criteria → are
You can also remember a simple classroom picture.
Imagine a teacher has one rule written on the board:
One criterion is honesty.
Now imagine the teacher writes five rules:
The criteria are honesty, attendance, effort, teamwork, and punctuality.
The number changes, so the noun and verb change too.
Another useful trick is to connect criteria with the word are:
Criteria = several standards = are
So when you see the question criteria is or criteria are, your first answer should be:
Criteria are.
Then check the sentence to make sure criteria is actually the subject.
Real-life logic
Think about a job interview.
A company may say:
“We have three criteria: experience, education, and communication skills.”
Since there are three standards, we say:
The criteria are important.
If the company chooses only experience as one standard, we say:
Experience is an important criterion.
That is the whole idea.
Daily Life Examples
Examples from real conversations
Here are natural examples that you may hear or use at school, work, or in everyday situations.
1. At a job interview
The criteria for this position are quite strict.
The company has several requirements.
2. At a university
The admission criteria are listed on the university website.
There are several admission requirements.
3. Talking about a competition
The judging criteria are creativity, quality, and originality.
There are multiple standards.
4. Buying a phone
Price and battery life are my main criteria.
The speaker has two important standards.
5. Choosing a house
Location is my main criterion.
Only one standard is being highlighted.
6. Choosing a restaurant
Taste, price, and service are our main criteria.
Three different standards are being used.
7. At school
The teacher said that neatness is one criterion for grading.
Neatness is one standard.
8. During a hiring discussion
Do you know what the selection criteria are?
The question asks about several requirements.
9. Talking about an application
The criteria are not difficult to meet.
There are several conditions.
10. Discussing a decision
Safety is the most important criterion.
Safety is one standard, even though it is the most important one.
These examples show why context matters. The correct choice is not based on how the word sounds. It depends on whether you mean one standard or several standards.
Practice Section
Choose the correct option
Try to answer each sentence before looking at the answers.
1. The criteria (is / are) clearly explained.
2. The main criterion (is / are) quality.
3. Several criteria (is / are) used to select the winner.
4. One criterion (is / are) enough for this simple test.
5. The criteria for admission (is / are) strict.
Answers
1. are
The criteria are clearly explained.
2. is
The main criterion is quality.
3. are
Several criteria are used to select the winner.
4. is
One criterion is enough for this simple test.
5. are
The criteria for admission are strict.
A quick way to check your answers is to replace criterion with “one standard” and criteria with “several standards.”
If “one standard” works, use criterion is.
If “several standards” works, use criteria are.
FAQs
What is the difference between criteria and criterion?
Criterion is singular and means one standard or requirement. Criteria is traditionally plural and means two or more standards or requirements. For example, “The criterion is quality,” but “The criteria are quality and price.”
Should I say “criteria is” or “criteria are”?
In formal and standard English, use criteria are because criteria is traditionally plural. For example, “The criteria are difficult to meet.” Although “criteria is” appears in informal usage, criteria are is the safer choice for academic and professional writing.
Is “criteria” singular or plural?
Traditionally, criteria is plural. Its singular form is criterion. Therefore, we say “one criterion” but “two criteria.” This is similar to other words with classical plural forms, although modern English sometimes treats some of these words differently in casual usage.
Can we use “criteria” in a question?
Yes. You can easily use criteria in questions. For example: “What are the criteria for admission?” and “What criteria are you using to choose the winner?” Notice that are is used because criteria is plural.
Is “criterion” formal or informal?
Criterion is a normal English word, but it is especially common in academic, professional, technical, and formal contexts. You may hear simpler expressions such as “standard” or “requirement” in casual conversation. Still, criterion is completely correct and useful.
Is “the criteria is” always wrong?
Not necessarily in every variety or level of modern English. Some speakers use criteria as a singular collective noun, especially when they mean one overall set of requirements. However, the criteria are remains the safest traditional form, particularly in formal, academic, and professional writing.
Conclusion
The choice between criteria is or criteria are becomes much easier once you remember one basic rule: criterion is singular, while criteria is traditionally plural.
Use criterion when you mean one standard:
The main criterion is experience.
Use criteria when you mean several standards:
The criteria are experience, education, and skill.
The word criteria can sometimes be treated as singular in informal modern English, which is one reason you may see or hear “criteria is.” However, if you are writing for school, university, work, or a formal audience, “criteria are” is the safest and clearest choice.
Do not worry if this distinction feels unusual at first. Words such as criterion and criteria simply need a little practice. Once you connect one → criterion → is and many → criteria → are, the pattern becomes much easier.
When you read English, notice how these words are used in real sentences. A few examples from everyday reading can make the rule feel natural very quickly.
Hi, I’m Isabella Foster, an English language writer passionate about making grammar, vocabulary, and communication skills easy to understand. At EnglishVistor, I create clear, practical, and engaging learning resources to help learners improve their English with confidence.
