Criteria vs. Criterion: What’s the Difference?

Sharing is caring!

Have you ever wondered whether to use criteria or criterion? Many English learners (and even native speakers) often get confused between these two words. In this article, we’ll explain the difference between criteria vs. criterion, show you when to use each, and give plenty of examples to make things crystal clear. By the end, you’ll never mix them up again.

Criteria vs. Criterion: The Basics

What Does “Criterion” Mean?

Criterion refers to a single standard or rule used to judge or decide something.

Key Features

• Always singular.

• Used when referring to one condition or requirement.

• Often appears in academic, business, or formal writing.

Examples

1. The main criterion for choosing a winner is creativity.

2. Price was the deciding criterion in her decision to buy the car.

3. Attendance is a key criterion for passing the class.

👉 In short: Use criterion when talking about one standard.

What Does “Criteria” Mean?

Criteria is the plural form of criterion. It refers to two or more standards used for judgment or evaluation.

Key Features

• Always plural.

• Used when referring to multiple requirements.

• Common in education, business, and job descriptions.

Examples

1. The teacher listed three criteria for grading the essay: clarity, grammar, and originality.

2. The company has strict criteria for hiring new employees.

3. Weight and durability are the main criteria when choosing a suitcase.

👉 In short: Use criteria when talking about more than one standard.

Common Mistakes English Learners Make

1. ❌ “The criteria is simple.”
   ✅ “The criterion is simple.”

2. ❌ “Honesty is the most important criteria.”
   ✅ “Honesty is the most important criterion.”

3. ❌ “There are many criterion for success.”
   ✅ “There are many criteria for success.”

Real-Life Examples

In Education

• Criterion: The final exam is the only criterion for passing the course.

• Criteria: The criteria for admission include grades, test scores, and interviews.

In Business

• Criterion: Profitability is the key criterion for investment.

• Criteria: The company uses several criteria to select suppliers, including cost, quality, and reliability.

In Everyday Life

• Criterion: The only criterion for friendship is trust.

• Criteria: When buying a phone, my criteria are battery life, price, and camera quality.

Practice Sentences

Try to decide whether criterion or criteria fits:

1. The main ______ for promotion is performance.

2. The hiring manager outlined five ______ for the job.

3. Good communication is an important ______ in a relationship.

4. Several ______ must be met before you can graduate.

✅ Answers: 1) criterion, 2) criteria, 3) criterion, 4) criteria.

Related Words to Know

• Standard: A level of quality. (The standard for safety is very high.)

• Requirement: Something necessary. (One requirement for the job is experience.)

• Guideline: A general rule. (The guidelines for the exam are posted online.)

• Condition: Something that must be true. (The only condition is that you arrive on time.)

These words can often replace criterion or criteria in casual English, but knowing the original forms will make your English more accurate.

You might also like:

• Intrapersonal vs. Interpersonal
• Creatine vs. Creatinine
• Gaelic vs. Celtic
• Ketose vs. Aldose
• Reindeer vs. Deer
• Synonym vs. Antonym