Question

What is the singular version of criteria, and why is it irregular?

A.


Criterion is the singular version, and it is irregular because it is a Greek word in which the –on is changed to –a in its plural form.


B.


Criteris is the singular version, and it is irregular because it is a Greek word in which the –is is changed to –a in its plural form.


C.


Criterium is the singular version, and it is irregular because it is a Greek word in which the –um is changed to –a in its plural form.


D.


Criterion is the singular version, and it is irregular because it is a Latin word in which the –on is changed to –a in its plural form.

Answer 1

A. Criterion is the singular version, and it is irregular because it is a Greek word in which the –on is changed to –a in its plural form.

Step-by-step explanation:

"Criteria" is the irregular plural form for the word "criterion", which means a principle, benchmark or standard by which something is judged. "Criterion" is a Greek word, which is why it has this irregular plural. Another Greek word that has the same -on ending and uses the same -a plural is "phenomenon"/"phenomena". With that in mind, we can safely choose letter A as the correct option.