Minor gripe

[emerybored]

Sportscasters need to learn how to use the word "criteria" in both its singular and plural forms. As far as I know, there is no such word as "criterias."

ETA: Why does my grammar seem to deteriorate the worst when I'm griping about others? I need to proofread my entries so I don't use "it's" when I mean the possessive. *headdesk*

Comments

[ordinarywhirled]

Is criterium a word, though?

[emerybored]

Not according to dictionary.com. I know criterion is the singular and criterions or criteria are the plural forms. But can't think of anything else... they also just sound wrong, ya know?

[ordinarywhirled]

I believe "criterium" comes from people assuming that criteria is Latin, hence giving it the old "-ium" ending. But it's not; it's Greek. Different language, different singulars and plurals.

Criterion is the proper singular.