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Research or Researches: Which is Correct? Simple English Explanations
By Caitriona Maria
October 20, 2021
Research or researches ? Which one is correct?!
There seems to be a lot of misinformation about this on the web, as most people (including native English speakers) get this one wrong!
We can use “research” as a noun or verb . Researches can be the third person singular of the verb “research.” Researches can also be used as a plural noun for “research,” but it is rarely used.
Meaning of Research (Verb and Noun)
By definition, “ research” (verb form) means to investigate or search carefully. It is typically related to studious inquiries or examinations.
Here are some examples with the verb “research”:
- “He researched the history of the building.”
- “She is researching how many people speak a particular language.”
- “I need to research this.”
- “We have been researching a new method.”
- “They are researching different options for the company.”
- “I researched every single product before I made my purchase.”
- You should research the pros and cons before you make a decision .
- “He is researching his family tree.”
- She has been researching her options for college.
When used as a noun, the word “research” typically refers to the activity of investigating or examining a subject in-depth with the aim of discovering new facts or information.
It can also refer to the resulting product of this activity.
Here are some examples with the noun “research”:
- “The scientists conducted research on the properties of a new material.”
- “She published her first paper on the results of her research.”
- If you want to write a paper on the dangers of smoking, you will need to do some research on the topic.
- “The research was published in a leading journal.”
- “They are funding market research.”
- “This is a new area of research for me.”
- “I need to do some research on this subject.”
- “Can you please send me your latest research?”
Research or researches?
- Research (singular noun)
- Researches (plural noun)
In a nutshell, we use research as a singular noun and researches as a plural noun, but it is very rare to say the term researches.
It is preferred to say “pieces of research,” “research studies” or “research projects” when talking about more than one.
Researches can also be used as a verb for the third person singular in the simple present tense. For example, “he researches on the internet for his school project.”
Research (simple present tense):
- I research,
- you research,
- he researches,
- she researches,
- it researches,
- we research,
- they research.
Research as a Noun
Research can be a countable and uncountable noun.
As a noun, “research” is usually used as uncountable. For example, we could say, “the research is able to determine the demand for health drinks.”
The plural countable noun researches is rarely used. It is used to distinguish between one or more sets of research.
For example, we could say “research conducted at Trinity College and University College Dublin” (we don’t know if this is a joint research project or a separate research project in both colleges).
Or we could say “researches conducted at Trinity College and University College Dublin” (separate research projects carried out at the colleges).
Is it correct to say researches ?
As you can see from our examples, it is correct to say researches.
You must be warned, however, that while we can use researches as a plural countable noun, most English speakers have never heard this and may think this is incorrect.
Native English speakers prefer to say “some research,” “research studies,” or “research projects” rather than researches nowadays.
Researches as a term is seen as archaic and old-fashioned. Therefore, it is rarely, if ever used.
Can we say a research ?
While “research” can be used as a countable and uncountable noun, it is never correct to say “a research.” However, we can say “a research student,” “much research,” or “some research.”
To make research or to do research?
We never say “make research.” Instead, you can say, “do research,” “conduct research,” “perform research,” or “carry out research.”
When do we say researches?
When using “research” as the verb, we often say researches.
It is much more common to use researches in the third person simple present (he/she/it).
For example, we could say, “he researches for his project in the library.”
Researches can also be used as a noun, as mentioned earlier.
Alternative Ways to Say Researches (noun)
- His researches prove that the disease is a genetic disorder.
- His research proves that the disease is a genetic disorder.
- His research studies prove that the disease is a genetic disorder.
- His research projects prove that the disease is a genetic disorder.
- His pieces of research prove that the disease is a genetic disorder.
- His findings prove that the disease is a genetic disorder.
- His research results prove that the disease is a genetic disorder.
How do you pronounce research ?
“Research” (verb form) is pronounced as ri-SERCH in American English but may vary across different accents.
“Research” (noun form) is pronounced as REE-serch in American English but may vary across different accents.
Therefore, you may choose to pronounce both the verb and the noun in the same way (REE-serch or ri-SERCH) without causing any confusion.
You may also be interested in: 15 Best Online English Courses Free & Paid (2022)
In Conclusion
Those are the rules for the word research and researches. While researches is a correct word, it is seldom used as a plural noun.
“Research” is mostly used as an uncountable noun or verb.
If you are unsure whether to use research or researches , it is best to use “research” as the noun. This will avoid any confusion and misunderstanding.
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Caitriona Maria is an education writer and founder of TPR Teaching, crafting inspiring pieces that promote the importance of developing new skills. For 7 years, she has been committed to providing students with the best learning opportunities possible, both domestically and abroad. Dedicated to unlocking students' potential, Caitriona has taught English in several countries and continues to explore new cultures through her travels.
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Thanks for the extensive researches done by you, as we use this term research in our researches extensively!
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Definition of research verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
| present simple I / you / we / they research | /rɪˈsɜːtʃ/ /rɪˈsɜːrtʃ/ |
| he / she / it researches | /rɪˈsɜːtʃɪz/ /rɪˈsɜːrtʃɪz/ |
| past simple researched | /rɪˈsɜːtʃt/ /rɪˈsɜːrtʃt/ |
| past participle researched | /rɪˈsɜːtʃt/ /rɪˈsɜːrtʃt/ |
| -ing form researching | /rɪˈsɜːtʃɪŋ/ /rɪˈsɜːrtʃɪŋ/ |
- research (something) to research a topic/subject
- She's in New York researching her new book (= finding facts and information to put in it) .
- They began researching potential buyers for their product.
- The book has been meticulously/exhaustively/thoroughly researched .
- They spent days researching in the school library.
- research how, what, etc… We have to research how the product will actually be used.
- The site offers basic tips on how to research a topic.
- Students must research their chosen topic and write a dissertation.
- She spent several months researching the subject.
- She researches the history of experimental film.
- He researched the history of colonial Brazil to produce the exhibition.
- He is currently researching a biography of the writer Laurence Sterne.
- While researching this article, I discovered some fascinating facts.
- If you know what treatments are available then you can research your options.
- We spent months researching the feasibility of the idea.
- This meticulously researched volume was worth the wait.
- Everything in the film has been exhaustively researched, from the uniforms and guns down to the underwear the soldiers wear.
- The article was extensively researched, with the authors talking to hundreds of teenagers.
- This searing documentary about the atrocities of war is painstakingly researched but hard to watch.
- The book has been poorly researched.
- The experience of being a personal carer has been well researched.
- She spent some time researching what gaps there were in the childcare market.
- I researched how deaf people relate to music.
- Scientists are still researching whether or not booster shots will be needed after the initial inoculation.
- I spent two years carefully researching into his background.
- I have been researching on the internet.
- We can help you research more effectively online.
- He was researching for his thesis on Indian railways.
- exhaustively
- extensively
Take your English to the next level
The Oxford Learner’s Thesaurus explains the difference between groups of similar words. Try it for free as part of the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary app
- noun a search for knowledge “their pottery deserves more research than it has received” synonyms: enquiry , inquiry see more see less types: show 11 types... hide 11 types... nature study the study of animals and plants in the natural world (usually at an elementary level) experiment , experimentation the testing of an idea empirical research an empirical search for knowledge investigation , probe an inquiry into unfamiliar or questionable activities canvass , opinion poll , poll , public opinion poll , survey an inquiry into public opinion conducted by interviewing a random sample of people heraldry the study and classification of armorial bearings and the tracing of genealogies pilot experiment a preliminary experiment whose outcome can lead to a more extensive experiment test , trial , trial run , tryout trying something to find out about it fishing expedition an investigation undertaken in the hope (but not the stated purpose) of discovering information exit poll a poll of voters as they leave the voting place; usually taken by news media in order to predict the outcome of an election straw poll , straw vote an unofficial vote taken to determine opinion on some issue type of: problem solving the thought processes involved in solving a problem
- noun systematic investigation to establish facts see more see less types: show 15 types... hide 15 types... operations research research designed to determine most efficient way to do something field work an investigation carried out in the field rather than in a laboratory or headquarters market research , marketing research research that gathers and analyzes information about the moving of good or services from producer to consumer microscopy research with the use of microscopes probe an investigation conducted using a flexible surgical instrument to explore an injury or a body cavity research project , scientific research research into questions posed by scientific theories and hypotheses big science scientific research that requires massive capital investment but is expected to yield very significant results biological research scientific research conducted by biologists experiment , experimentation the act of conducting a controlled test or investigation market analysis marketing research that yields information about the marketplace product research marketing research that yields information about desired characteristics of the product or service consumer research marketing research that yields information about the motives and needs of different classes of consumers electron microscopy microscopy with the use of electron microscopes dark field illumination , dark ground illumination a form of microscopic examination of living material by scattered light; specimens appear luminous against a dark background fluorescence microscopy light microscopy in which the specimen is irradiated at wavelengths that excite fluorochromes type of: investigating , investigation the work of inquiring into something thoroughly and systematically
- verb inquire into “the students had to research the history of the Second World War for their history project” synonyms: delve , explore , search see more see less types: show 5 types... hide 5 types... prospect explore for useful or valuable things or substances, such as minerals google search the internet (for information) using the Google search engine mapquest search for a location and directions by means of the MapQuest program re-explore explore anew beat about , cast about , cast around search anxiously type of: investigate , look into investigate scientifically
- verb attempt to find out in a systematic and scientific manner “The student researched the history of that word” see more see less types: consult , look up , refer seek information from type of: investigate , look into investigate scientifically
Vocabulary lists containing research
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- research (noun)
- research (verb)
- research and development (noun)
- research park (noun)
- market research (noun)
- cancer/AIDS/drug research
- medical/scientific/scholarly research
- She conducts research into/on the causes of Alzheimer's disease.
- Recent research shows/indicates that the disease is caused in part by bad nutrition.
- The study is an important piece of research .
- research data/findings
- a research group/organization/scientist
- a research assistant
- a research program/project
- a research lab/laboratory/library/center
- a research paper/report
- ( formal + old-fashioned ) We read about Sigmund Freud's researches into the human psyche.
- He did a lot of research before buying his car.
— researcher
- Medical researchers say that the drug is useless.
- She is researching [= investigating ] the relationship between stress and heart disease.
- He spent the summer researching his dissertation.
- Before going out to eat, she researched area restaurants.
- The reporter made hundreds of telephone calls while researching the story.
| to find a way of making (two different ideas, facts, etc.) exist or be true at the same time |
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Meaning of research in English
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- He has dedicated his life to scientific research.
- He emphasized that all the people taking part in the research were volunteers .
- The state of Michigan has endowed three institutes to do research for industry .
- I'd like to see the research that these recommendations are founded on.
- It took months of painstaking research to write the book .
- absorptive capacity
- dream something up
- ergonomically
- modularization
- nanotechnology
- testing ground
- the mother of something idiom
- think outside the box idiom
- think something up
- study What do you plan on studying in college?
- major US She majored in philosophy at Harvard.
- cram She's cramming for her history exam.
- revise UK I'm revising for tomorrow's test.
- review US We're going to review for the test tomorrow night.
- research Scientists are researching possible new treatments for cancer.
- The amount of time and money being spent on researching this disease is pitiful .
- We are researching the reproduction of elephants .
- She researched a wide variety of jobs before deciding on law .
- He researches heart disease .
- The internet has reduced the amount of time it takes to research these subjects .
- adjudication
- analytically
- have the measure of someone/something idiom
- interpretable
- interpretive
- reinspection
- reinterpret
- reinterpretation
- reinvestigate
- reinvestigation
You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Related word
Research | intermediate english, research | business english, examples of research, collocations with research.
These are words often used in combination with research .
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Translations of research
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Word of the Day
skip out on something
to avoid doing something that you should do; to leave someone when they need your help
It’s not really my thing (How to say you don’t like something)
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research noun 1
- Hide all quotations
What does the noun research mean?
There are seven meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun research , three of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.
How common is the noun research ?
| 1750 | 3.7 |
| 1760 | 5.7 |
| 1770 | 7.8 |
| 1780 | 11 |
| 1790 | 15 |
| 1800 | 17 |
| 1810 | 17 |
| 1820 | 18 |
| 1830 | 21 |
| 1840 | 21 |
| 1850 | 24 |
| 1860 | 20 |
| 1870 | 23 |
| 1880 | 21 |
| 1890 | 23 |
| 1900 | 22 |
| 1910 | 25 |
| 1920 | 36 |
| 1930 | 52 |
| 1940 | 68 |
| 1950 | 97 |
| 1960 | 120 |
| 1970 | 170 |
| 1980 | 200 |
| 1990 | 200 |
| 2000 | 210 |
| 2010 | 210 |
How is the noun research pronounced?
British english, u.s. english, where does the noun research come from.
Earliest known use
The earliest known use of the noun research is in the late 1500s.
OED's earliest evidence for research is from 1577, in ‘F. de L'Isle’'s Legendarie .
research is apparently formed within English, by derivation; modelled on a French lexical item.
Etymons: re- prefix , search n.
Nearby entries
- rescuing, adj. 1574–
- resculpt, v. 1926–
- resculpting, n. 1940–
- rescussee, n. 1652–1823
- rescusser, n. 1632–1704
- rese, n. Old English–1600
- rese, v.¹ Old English–1450
- rese, v.² Old English–1582
- reseal, v. 1624–
- resealable, adj. 1926–
- research, n.¹ 1577–
- re-search, n.² 1605–
- research, v.¹ 1588–
- re-search, v.² 1708–
- researchable, adj. 1927–
- research and development, n. 1892–
- researched, adj. 1636–
- researcher, n. 1615–
- researchful, adj. a1834–
- research hospital, n. 1900–
- researching, n. 1611–
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Meaning & use
Pronunciation, compounds & derived words, entry history for research, n.¹.
research, n.¹ was revised in March 2010.
research, n.¹ was last modified in July 2023.
oed.com is a living text, updated every three months. Modifications may include:
- further revisions to definitions, pronunciation, etymology, headwords, variant spellings, quotations, and dates;
- new senses, phrases, and quotations.
Revisions and additions of this kind were last incorporated into research, n.¹ in July 2023.
Earlier versions of this entry were published in:
OED First Edition (1906)
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OED Second Edition (1989)
- View research, n.¹ in OED Second Edition
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Citation details
Factsheet for research, n.¹, browse entry.
- 1.1 Etymology
- 1.2 Pronunciation
- 1.3.1 Synonyms
- 1.3.2 Hyponyms
- 1.3.3 Derived terms
- 1.3.4 Related terms
- 1.3.5 Translations
- 1.4.1 Translations
- 1.5 References
- 1.6 Anagrams
- 2.1 Etymology
- 2.2 Pronunciation
- 2.3.1 Usage notes
- 2.3.2 Synonyms
- 3.1 Etymology
- 3.2.1 Declension
- 3.2.2 Related terms
- 3.3 See also
- 3.4 References
Early Modern French rechercher ( “ to examine closely ” ) , from Old French recerchier ( “ to seek, to look for ” ) , by surface analysis , re- + search .
Pronunciation
- ( Received Pronunciation ) IPA ( key ) : ( traditional ) /ɹɪˈsɜːt͡ʃ/ , ( newer ) /ˈɹiː.sɜːt͡ʃ/
| Audio ( ): | ( ) |
- Rhymes: -ɜː(ɹ)tʃ
research ( countable and uncountable , plural researches )
- 2012 January, Philip E. Mirowski, “Harms to Health from the Pursuit of Profits”, in American Scientist [1] , volume 100 , number 1, archived from the original on 4 April 2012 , page 87 : In an era when political leaders promise deliverance from decline through America’s purported preeminence in scientific research , the news that science is in deep trouble in the United States has been as unwelcome as a diagnosis of leukemia following the loss of health insurance.
- 1849–1861 , Thomas Babington Macaulay , chapter 1, in The History of England from the Accession of James the Second , volumes (please specify |volume=I to V) , London: Longman, Brown, Green, and Longmans , →OCLC : The dearest interests of parties have frequently been staked on the results of the researches of antiquaries.
- 1747 , The Scots magazine , volume 9, page 567 : The first step I took in this so necessary a research , was to examine the motives, the justice, the necessity and expediency of the revolution [ … ]
- 1883 December, “Zoology. A. General, including Embryology and Histology of the Vertebrata. Development of Muscle-fibres and their Union with Nerves”, in Journal of the Royal Microscopical Society , volume 3, number 6, page 821 : Although very numerous researches have been made on the differentiation of striped muscles, and on the termination of their motor nerve-fibres, yet the multifarious observations have often been too incomplete to lead to any but conflicting and unsatisfactory theories.
- investigation
- exploration
- examination
- action research
- advocacy research
- basic research
- bioresearch
- empirical research
- historical research
- marketing research
- market research
- operational research
- operations research
- oppo research
- opposition research
- primary research
- qualitative research
- quantitative research
- scientific research
- secondary research
- space research
- structural research
- time-use research
- unobtrusive research
Derived terms
- antiresearch
- bioresearcher
- consumer research
- coresearcher
- customer research
- dual-use research of concern
- eco-research
- gain-of-function research
- nonresearch
- nonresearched
- nonresearcher
- nonresearching
- overresearched
- proresearch
- researchability
- researchable
- research assistant
- research chemical
- researchful
- researchist
- research professor
- research ship
- underresearched
- unresearchability
- unresearchable
- unresearched
Related terms
- research octane number
- research paper
Translations
| (baḥṯ), (taḥqīq) (hetazotutʻyun), (usumnasirutʻyun) (dasljédavannje) (gobeśona), (onuśondhan) (izslédvane) (su.tesa.na.) (yánjiū) , , (ḳvleva), (gamoḳvleva) (érevna) (meẖqár) (anusandhān) (けんきゅう, kenkyū) (zertteu) (viimĕəngsaa), (ʼanveih) (yeon'gu) (izildöö), (tekşerüü) (kān khon khuā) (istražuvanje) (gavēṣaṇaṁ) , (sauśodhan) (sudalgaa), (šinžilgee) (sudulg-a) or (tahqīq), (tahqiq), (pažuheš) , (isslédovanije) (tahqiq), (pažuhiš) (pariśōdhana) (wí-jai), (kón-kwáa) , , , (doslídžennja) (tahqīq) |
| (hetazotutʻyun), (usumnasirutʻyun) (yánjiū), ／ (diàochá) , , , , (ちょうさ, chōsa) (josa) (isslédovanije) |
| (baḥṯ) ) ) |
research ( third-person singular simple present researches , present participle researching , simple past and past participle researched )
- ( transitive ) To search or examine with continued care; to seek diligently.
- ( intransitive ) To make an extensive investigation into.
- ( transitive ) To search again.
| (baḥaṯa) (hetazotel) (gowexona kora) (dasljédavacʹ) (izslédvam) (yánjiū) , , , , (けんきゅうする, kenkyū suru) (zertteu) (sraaw criəw) (yeon'guhada) (istražuva), (istraži) (sudlax) (pežuhidan) , or (isslédovatʹ) , , , (pažuhidan) (pariśōdhiñcu) (wí-jai), (kón-kwáa) , , , (doslídžuvaty), (doslidýty) , , |
| (hetazotel) (razslédvam) ／ (diàochá) , , , , , , , , (erevnó) (ちょうさする, chōsa suru) (josahada) , , or (rasslédovatʹ), or (isslédovatʹ) , , (pariśōdhiñcu) , , |
| ) |
- “research”, in The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language , 4th edition, Boston, Mass.: Houghton Mifflin , 2000 , →ISBN .
- “ research ”, in Dictionary.com Unabridged , Dictionary.com, LLC , 1995–present.
- " research " in WordNet 2.0 , Princeton University, 2003.
- reachers , searcher
From English research , from early Modern French rechercher ( “ to examine closely ” ) , from Old French recerchier ( “ to seek, to look for ” ) . Forms a doublet with Dutch recherche , which is a direct borrowing from French.
| Audio: | ( ) |
research f ( uncountable , diminutive researchje n )
Usage notes
The plural is very rare or non-existent.
- onderzoek , speurwerk , vorsing , navorsing
Unadapted borrowing from English research . First attested in the 1960s. [ 1 ]
research c ( uncountable )
- searching in archives for background information related to someone or something specific (often for newspapers, radio, or TV).
| Declension of | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uncountable | ||||
| Indefinite | Definite | |||
| Nominative | — | — | ||
| Genitive | — | — | ||
- researcha ( “ perform archival research ” )
- researcher ( “ archival researcher ” )
- efterforska ( “ investigate; research ” )
- forska ( “ research ” )
- ^ research in Svensk ordbok ( SO )
- research in Svenska Akademiens ordlista ( SAOL )
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[ ri- surch , ree -surch ]
recent research in medicine.
Synonyms: study , scrutiny
- a particular instance or piece of research.
verb (used without object)
- to make researches; investigate carefully.
verb (used with object)
to research a matter thoroughly.
Synonyms: scrutinize , examine , inquire , study
/ ˈriːsɜːtʃ; rɪˈsɜːtʃ /
- systematic investigation to establish facts or principles or to collect information on a subject
- to carry out investigations into (a subject, problem, etc)
Derived Forms
- reˈsearcher , noun
- reˈsearchable , adjective
Other Words From
- re·searcha·ble adjective
- re·searcher re·searchist noun
- prore·search adjective
- under·re·search verb (used with object)
Word History and Origins
Origin of research 1
Synonym Study
Example sentences.
Have you tried to access the research that your tax dollars finance, almost all of which is kept behind a paywall?
Have a look at this telling research from Pew on blasphemy and apostasy laws around the world.
And Epstein continues to steer money toward universities to advance scientific research.
The research literature, too, asks these questions, and not without reason.
We also have a growing body of biological research showing that fathers, like mothers, are hard-wired to care for children.
We find by research that smoking was the most general mode of using tobacco in England when first introduced.
This class is composed frequently of persons of considerable learning, research and intelligence.
Speaking from recollection, it appears to be a work of some research; but I cannot say how far it is to be relied on.
Thomas Pope Blount died; an eminent English writer and a man of great learning and research.
That was long before invention became a research department full of engineers.
Related Words
- exploration
- investigation
Synonyms of research
- as in investigation
- as in to explore
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Thesaurus Definition of research
(Entry 1 of 2)
Synonyms & Similar Words
- investigation
- exploration
- examination
- inquisition
- disquisition
- questionnaire
- interrogation
- reinvestigation
- soul - searching
- cross - examination
- questionary
- self - examination
- self - reflection
- self - exploration
- going - over
- self - scrutiny
- self - questioning
Thesaurus Definition of research (Entry 2 of 2)
- investigate
- look (into)
- inquire (into)
- delve (into)
- check up on
- skim (through)
- thumb (through)
- reinvestigate
Examples of research in a Sentence
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'research.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Thesaurus Entries Near research
Cite this entry.
“Research.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/research. Accessed 31 Aug. 2024.
More from Merriam-Webster on research
Nglish: Translation of research for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of research for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about research
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Pronunciation
- ( UK ) IPA ( key ) : /rɪˈsɜːtʃ/ or /ˈriː.sɜːtʃ/
- ( US ) IPA ( key ) : /ˈri.sɚtʃ/ or /riˈsɝtʃ/
| Audio (US) | ( ) |
| | |
- ( uncountable ) Research is the process or result of trying to find an answer by reading, interviewing, watching, or doing experiments . The last 10 years has provided a huge amount of research into a cure for cancer. We've been conducting research into the reason for the changes in these fish.
| Plain form | Third-person singular | Past tense | Past participle | Present participle |
- ( transitive & intransitive ) If you research a question, you try to find an answer, usually by reading a lot about it, or by doing experiments . I have to research the history of King Henry II for my English class.
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A place for learning English. 英語の学びのスペースです。 Un lugar para aprender Inglés. مكان لتعلم اللغة الإنجليزية. Un lieu pour apprendre l'Anglais. Ein Ort zum Englisch lernen.
Why is research a noun and not a verb? Isn’t it an action?
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Is it more common for the noun "research" to be stressed on the first or second syllable among educated native speakers of American English?
Which of the two common pronunciations of the noun research is more common among educated native American English speakers?
- /rɪ ˈsɝt͡ʃ / with the stress on the second syllable
- / ˈriː sɚt͡ʃ/ with the stress on the first syllable
- american-english
- pronunciation
- 1 In my experience (WA and PA), rē is more common. In some circles, usually tied to education, ri is the common noun form. – Unrelated Commented Oct 28, 2016 at 13:28
- 1 Interestingly this pattern goes against standard verb noun syllable stress patterns english-at-home.com/pronunciation/noun-and-verb-syllable-stress – Unrelated Commented Oct 28, 2016 at 13:31
- @Unrelated: no, it doesn't; not really. The word started out as /rɪˈsərtʃ/ for both the noun and the verb, and in some regions the noun has switched and started conforming to the standard verb-noun syllable stress pattern. – Peter Shor Commented Oct 28, 2016 at 14:33
- 2 Highly dependent on your locale. In some areas of the US it would be "ree-search". In others it would be "ri-search". – Kace36 Commented Jul 19, 2017 at 21:57
- 1 And if you want to get into all the various accents of the US technically it can be pronounced many different ways ;) In the northeast (like Boston or New York) whether you stress "ree" or "ri" the "search" syllable becomes "such" as in "ree-such". In the south it would be "ree-sURch". – Kace36 Commented Jul 19, 2017 at 22:00
3 Answers 3
There are a large number of two-syllable English words (see a list at Wikipedia ) where the verb is accented on the second syllable and the noun is accented on the first syllable.
The dictionaries say that the accent on research can be either on the first or second syllable, but I suspect a large number of people (like me) treat it as one of this class of words, with the noun accesnted on the first syllable and the verb on the second. The word research is included in the list I link to above.
I went to college, worked as a computer programmer and in database design. I've lived in Louisiana, Mississippi and Arkansas. I've always heard the word 'research' pronounced with the stress on the first syllable. Hope this helps.
This is a great topic because it highlights the difference between formal/standard and informal American English. It also speaks to how people are educated regarding grammar and the pronunciation of words over time. Although "research" has two different pronunciations (REE-search, noun) and (ri-Search, verb), many Americans were not taught this rule. Thus, it has been normalized and has become acceptable (or tolerated) in most circles to pronounce both the noun and verb as (REE-Search).
As an educated person and a former English teacher, I am embarrassed to admit that I was pronouncing the noun and verb as "REE-search" for most of my career. I have only recently started to be more cognizant of stressing the correct syllable when using research as noun or verb.
- 1 Your answer could be improved with additional supporting information. Please edit to add further details, such as citations or documentation, so that others can confirm that your answer is correct. You can find more information on how to write good answers in the help center . – Community Bot Commented Sep 24, 2023 at 9:54
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COMMENTS
RESEARCH definition: 1. a detailed study of a subject, especially in order to discover (new) information or reach a…. Learn more.
The meaning of RESEARCH is studious inquiry or examination; especially : investigation or experimentation aimed at the discovery and interpretation of facts, revision of accepted theories or laws in the light of new facts, or practical application of such new or revised theories or laws. How to use research in a sentence.
Collocations Scientific research Scientific research Theory. formulate/ advance a theory/ hypothesis; build/ construct/ create/ develop a simple/ theoretical/ mathematical model; develop/ establish/ provide/ use a theoretical/ conceptual framework; advance/ argue/ develop the thesis that…; explore an idea/ a concept/ a hypothesis; make a prediction/ an inference
In a nutshell, we use research as a singular noun and researches as a plural noun, but it is very rare to say the term researches. It is preferred to say "pieces of research," "research studies" or "research projects" when talking about more than one. Researches can also be used as a verb for the third person singular in the simple ...
Definition of research verb in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more. ... research verb; research and development noun; research council noun; delighted. adjective . From the Topic. Feelings. B2. Oxford Learner's Dictionaries Word of the Day.
2 meanings: 1. systematic investigation to establish facts or principles or to collect information on a subject 2. to carry out.... Click for more definitions.
RESEARCH definition: 1. detailed study of a subject in order to discover new information: 2. to study a subject in…. Learn more.
Research definition: diligent and systematic inquiry or investigation into a subject in order to discover or revise facts, theories, applications, etc.. See examples of RESEARCH used in a sentence.
The earliest known use of the verb research is in the late 1500s.. OED's earliest evidence for research is from 1588, in the writing of John Harvey, astrologer.. It is also recorded as a noun from the late 1500s.
Research definition: Careful study of a given subject, field, or problem, undertaken to discover facts or principles. ... Origin Noun Verb. Filter. noun researches Careful, systematic, patient study and investigation in some field of knowledge, undertaken to discover or establish facts or principles. Webster's New World ...
research: 1 n a search for knowledge "their pottery deserves more research than it has received" Synonyms: enquiry , inquiry Types: show 11 types... hide 11 types... nature study the study of animals and plants in the natural world (usually at an elementary level) experiment , experimentation the testing of an idea empirical research an ...
RESEARCH meaning: 1 : careful study that is done to find and report new knowledge about something often used before another noun; 2 : the activity of getting information about a subject. The Britannica Dictionary mobile search. ... research (noun) research (verb) research and development (noun)
RESEARCH meaning: 1. a detailed study of a subject, especially in order to discover (new) information or reach a…. Learn more.
THESAURUS research noun [ uncountable] careful detailed work that is done in order to find out more about a subject, especially as a part of a scientific or academic project Billions of dollars have been spent on research into the causes and treatment of cancer. The University has for a long time been a leading centre for research in this field ...
The earliest known use of the noun research is in the late 1500s. OED's earliest evidence for research is from 1577, in 'F. de L'Isle''s Legendarie. research is apparently formed within English, by derivation; modelled on a French lexical item. Etymons: re- prefix, search n. See etymology.
research (third-person singular simple present researches, present participle researching, simple past and past participle researched) ( transitive) To search or examine with continued care; to seek diligently. ( intransitive) To make an extensive investigation into. ( transitive) To search again.
noun. Definition of research. Synonyms for research. Recent research shows that the disease is caused in part by bad nutrition. She conducts research into the causes of Alzheimer's disease. Siegel, who was not part of the research, wrote about the study in Forbes. —. Doyle Rice, USA TODAY , 11 June 2018.
Research definition: . See examples of RESEARCH used in a sentence.
Synonyms for RESEARCH: investigation, inquiry, study, exploration, examination, probing, probe, inspection, inquisition, delving
Noun. [ change] Singular. research. Plural. researches. ( uncountable) Research is the process or result of trying to find an answer by reading, interviewing, watching, or doing experiments . The last 10 years has provided a huge amount of research into a cure for cancer. We've been conducting research into the reason for the changes in these fish.
research can be both a noun and a verb. It can also be either transitive or intransitive. "I am conducting research (noun) on malaria." "I am sharing my research (noun) with my colleagues at work." "I need to do some more research (noun) before giving you an answer.". versus: "We research (verb) malaria in this laboratory." "My colleagues at work research (verb) the documents
There are a large number of two-syllable English words (see a list at Wikipedia) where the verb is accented on the second syllable and the noun is accented on the first syllable.. The dictionaries say that the accent on research can be either on the first or second syllable, but I suspect a large number of people (like me) treat it as one of this class of words, with the noun accesnted on the ...