Dear FD - Data is plural...

[manicguitarist]

..."data are" not "data is"

/pedant

 

[Cynaqq]

Singular for data is datum.

Data is indeed the plural of datum but you actually can say 'Data is'.

It works the same way for other words too, namely ones that can be used both as plural and singular at the same time.

 

[Nagual]

While there are many that use data as a plural, there are just as many if not more people who use it as a singular mass noun. Since the rule of language is based on usage, I'd say you pendantary is over ruled by common usage.

 

[Kicks]

The OED says:

In Latin, data is the plural of datum and, historically and in specialized scientific fields , it is also treated as a plural in English, taking a plural verb, as in the data were collected and classified . In modern non-scientific use, however , despite the complaints of traditionalists, it is often not treated as a plural. Instead, it is treated as a mass noun, similar to a word like information, which cannot normally have a plural and which takes a singular verb. Sentences such as data was (as well as data were ) collected over a number of years are now widely accepted in standard English.

EDIT: Emphasis mine.

There's nothing wrong with what Frontier have done.

 

[Guido]

I don't see any problem with "Data is correct...", however reading "Data are correct..." sounds wrong. Data is a thing; your data is available for download, not your data are available.

ninjad, many many times.

 

[Khelder]

Actually, I'm going to side with FD on this one. I think the link between the general English usage of 'data' and the original latin word is significantly broken. Saying 'Data are correct' just sounds awkward to me.

Grammarist
TOP 10 GRAMMAR MYTHS: DATA IS PLURAL SO MUST TAKE A PLURAL VERB

 

[Deleted member 38366]

As the term Data references to "data" in general with disregard to the actual quantity of elements included - I also think the grammar is correct on this one.

Alternatively, it could be worded "Information provided is correct as of..." for all I care

 

[hunvagy]

Afaik it has to be handled the same as luggage, baggage, where you also use the singular is when referencing it.

 

[Drink!]

Can you have more then one data?...Like 2 data? Lore?

Like others have said, one may be grammatically correct, but whatever is used is what is correct.

"Data is" sounds correct to me.

 

[Toumal]

I've been warned for "image spamming" before, and I assure you it's not my intention to break the rules and spam, but I do think this image is relevant to the topic...

 

[Khelder]

Can you have more then one data?...Like 2 data? Lore?

'Data' is a Latin plural. 'Datum' is the singular. Technically. Pfft.

 

[Ian Phillips]

Don't worry guys, Horizons will be released for the Beta Soon

 

[Kicks]

Don't worry guys, Horizons will be released for the Beta Soon

Don't get me started on the Oxford comma! (For what it's worth, I am FOR the use of it, and anyone who disagrees with me is a dirty heathen )

 

[Mike Juliett Kilo]

Yeah... "data are correct" is correct, and really the only way that makes sense to me. However, language changes, and in 3300 could well have evolved so that we don't speak correctly anymore

 

[Khelder]

Don't get me started on the oxford comma! (For what it's worth, I am FOR the use of it, and anyone who disagrees with me is a dirty heathen )

I don't want to get all picky or anything, but that should be Oxford comma.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

I are outraged by blatant disregard for gramma.

 

[Kicks]

I don't want to get all picky or anything, but that should be Oxford comma.

How many times did you proof-read your reply just to make sure there wasn't something obvious for me to complain about?

 

[Khelder]

How many times did you proof-read your reply just to make sure there wasn't something obvious for me to complain about?

I'm not telling.

 

[newman1702]

I'm particularly fond of alots - lovely animals. I also quite like how a lot of people don't seem to know the difference between "their" and "there". In some ways, the internet is to grammar what bug spray is to Spiderman...

 

[Gray Lensman]

Anyone who programs computers will tell you that grammar and syntax are absolute until formally updated and human languages should be exactly the same. The rule of language based on usage is true but also infuriating, counter-productive and 100% driven by the uneducated. The uneducated gaining control of human society because of the increasing communication potential of the internet is why civilisation is rapidly declining. The lunatics are taking over the asylum.
As you have probably surmised, I agree with the OP.