What is the Difference Between Criteria and Criterion?

The difference between "criteria" and "criterion" lies in their singular and plural forms, as well as their usage in sentences.

• Criterion: This is the singular form of the word and refers to "a standard of judgment or criticism". It is a rule or benchmark used to evaluate something. For example, "The first criterion is safety."
• Criteria: This is the plural form of the word and refers to "standards on which a judgment can be made". It is typically used when discussing two or more standards for evaluation or comparison. For example, "The schools comply with federal criteria."

In summary:

• "Criterion" is singular and refers to a single standard or rule for evaluation.
• "Criteria" is plural and refers to multiple standards or rules for evaluation.

Comparative Table: Criteria vs Criterion

Here is a table highlighting the difference between "criteria" and "criterion":

Criteria and criterion are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings and uses. The word "criterion" is a singular noun that means "a standard of judgment or criticism". On the other hand, "criteria" is the plural form of "criterion" and refers to multiple standards or rules of judgment.