Analyst Vs Analist, Which One Is Correct To Use In Writing?

An analyst is someone who offers analysis or data insight on a topic. “Analyst” and “analist” are homophones, and yet there is a proper way of using them. To analyze is to parse; to separate into parts to look at a closer level the elements of a particular subject or object. In this article, we will explore which one is the correct use in writing.

Although many still think that the word “analist” is the correct term; it’s present in chats, dialogues among known people, casual scenarios, etc.The correct term to use when writing, is “analyst,” with a “y”.

This is established by dictionaries like the Collins English Dictionary, Miriam Webster Dictionary, and etymology platform, the Online Etymology Dictionary.

Analyst Vs Analist

The reason why people could confuse and unconsciously prefer “analist” with an “i” is that some words in their original format are written with a “y,” and their derivatives, comparative, plural, and present singular form, substitute the “y” for an “i”. Such cases are the ones below:

Study – Studies; Studious

Happy – Happiness

Fly – Flies

Funny – Funnier; Funniest

Duty – Duties

Hobby – Hobbies

Puppy – Puppies

Battery – Batteries

Fry – Fried

Party – Parties

Origin

To better understand our selected term, we can break down its root terms— in this case, the word “analysis.”

The origin of the term dates back to Medieval times. Derives from Latin used at the time analyticus, from Greek analytikos, meaning breaking up, loosening, releasing. Its composition results from ana, which means “throughout,” and the action analyein, “to unfasten,” and the root leu- which means “to divide.” (Etymology Online D.)

The whole purpose of analyzing something is, through critical thinking, to separate the appearance, traits, and composition of the selected subject (or object) to observe the phenomenon closely.

“Analyst” derives its etymology from the French analyste, “someone who analyzes” . Also, from Medieval Latin, analysis, and Greek analyter, which meant a deliverer. (Etymology Online D.)

An analyst is someone who looks at the performance of a process, subject, or object and collects data about it. Based on their observations, they will deliver advice to official institutions, like government entities, professionals, businesses, and individuals, on new effective ways to better their methods.

Based on this description, one can say that an analyst is a noun; it is a profession. Someone dedicated their time to master a topic deep enough, studied operation methods, and developed alternatives for a particular process.

People would perhaps use the word “analist” as a way to refer to the actual proper term analyst, unknowingly committing semantic errors.

Proper Usage and Examples

Following up are several examples of what are the best occasions and places to locate the noun analyst.

1. Yesterday we hired an analyst to show us what were the main problems in the company’s workflow.
2. It is a respite to count on the reports of Jacob, our forecast analyst.
3. Art analyst seems to be a daring, complex, and unique profession.
4. For our webinar planning, we should include the observations of a grammar analyst. 
5. Jessie and Paul discovered the need for a marketing analyst to help them increase their hotdog sales.
6. Next week our professor will invite a data analyst to class to explain the benefits of writing formal reports.
7. Archimedes was a famous greek astronomer, inventor, mathematician, and numerical analyst.
8. The new town bakery should consider a media analyst to improve its visibility online.
9. Last Wednesday, the school awarded Jack Davis for being an excellent academic analyst.
10. It’s true! Psychologists can also be handwriting analysts.
11. Coca-Cola is known for having qualified operation analysts.
12. Although popularly, one could think that analysts are only limited to mathematical operations, like in past times was considered, the examples above highlight the fact that an analyst can be an expert and offer insight in any area. The reason for this belief is that since analysts use statistics and other numerical evaluations to write their reports, the qualitative aspect seems to be put aside, and this is far from true.
13. An analyst’s job is to consider all phases, layers, variations of a phenomenon in order to give precise, adequate observations.

Types of Analysts

There are approximately sixteen known types of analysts. But as technology keeps expanding, the need for more segmented procedures in specific areas has increased too.

To date, the most common types of analysts are:

• Market analyst
• Network analyst
• Financial analyst
• Equity research analyst
• Tax analyst
• Research analyst
• Vendor analyst
• Intelligence analyst
• Technical analyst
• Computer systems analyst
• Geospatial analyst
• Independent analyst
• Sell-side analyst
• Buy-side analyst

But, as stated before, there are as many analyst specializations as there are things and processes to be studied.

Job Possibilities

Someone who’s looking to go on an analyst’s career path must have a solid education. These roles generally need a bachelor’s degree in economics, math, business administration, computer science, or related disciplines. To enhance the prior knowledge, courses in information technology, communications, and finance also work.

A graduate who wants to become an analyst can consider these job opportunities:

• Planning/Budget analyst
• Operations Assistant
• Marketing Officer
• Web site analyst
• Virtual assistant
• Quality Assurance analyst
• Customer Service Rep
• Accounting analyst
• Training Associate

A soon-to-be analyst receives all of the training benefits of engaging in internships and entry-level job experiences: the more one practices, the more one masters.

Skills

An analyst should possess a variety of skills to perform the task in the best way possible.

• Technical skills: being able to manage tools, digital and non-digital devices, and numerical protocols.
• Deep/Critical thinking: the ability to recognize patterns, identify problems in methodologies, and find their solutions.
• Communication skills: everyday market research confirms the need to have adequate communication and translate data into easy-to-read reports.
• Research skills: the ability to look past what is evident; digging deep.
• Initiative: having the personal motivation to start and complete processes.
• Prioritizing skills: the ability to omit distractions, especially during working times.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the correct term to choose when writing is “analyst,” with a “y” instead of an “i”. People could confuse and write the word with the letter “i,” but to date, English dictionaries established it is a wrong usage of the word, and the accepted term is with the letter “y”.

To be an analyst is to dedicate a significant amount of time observing a process, a subject, or an object, and later being able to identify patterns, problems, and solutions to them.

Before hiring an analyst, the business or the individual must check and find the purpose for hiring in the first place. Maybe it could be finding a solution to a problem that requires an extra pair of eyes, maybe to increase the good practices that are already present in the company, or maybe is to have an updated report of the object of study. It could be either of the three, but the person must settle first why hiring is a good investment.

Even if there are more analyst career paths related to mathematics, there are as many analyst specializations as things and processes to be studied. The proper way to use the term is as a noun since it is a career specialization and a job position. It is best to correct these types of errors when writing in order to express a proper semantic idea and communicate formally.

It is advised to take several psychological tests and polish technical skills before considering applying for an analyst position; because part of this type of job is extended exposure to digital screens and simultaneous numerical processes.