C.is always singular I mean, sort of. In scientific and academic writing, plural verbs and pronouns are preferred. Write it. Once the plural forms of datum and medium, data and media have transformed into mass nouns: singular terms, like furniture or work or luck, that … ‘Data’: The Latin Plural of ‘Datum” The word “data” comes to English from Latin, in which “datum” is the singular and “data” is the plural. Making a case for a singular ‘they’. C.Don’t abbreviate a state name after a city. A reader asks: What's AP Style for data, singular or plural? Therefore, when referring to the collective results, be sure to use the plural form: The data challenge the notion that more directive questions are necessary when interviewing children who have mild intellectual disabilities. As shown in the Publication Manual (p. 96), the word datum is singular, and the word data is plural. Learn more at thegrammargeek.com or email me at dave@thegrammargeek.com. ¶ It is the indispensable reference for writers, editors, proofreaders, indexers, copywriters, designers, and publishers, informing the editorial canon with sound, definitive advice. As it says in The Chicago Manual of Style, “a singular verb emphasizes the group; a plural verb emphasizes the individual members.”. “Data” is now acceptable by many usage authorities as both a plural and a singular noun, though others, including the Associated Press Style Book, accept “data” as a singular only as a collective noun. Count nouns can be singular or plural, and when you use them as the subject of a sentence, the verb must correctly reflect that number, as in The last apple IS on the bottom shelf or The eggs ARE fresh. In scientific use, data typically functions as the plural of datum. Examples of both terms being used correctly are listed below: Leave a comment or email me at dave@thegrammargeek.com. The Seventh Edition of the Publication Manual Is Available for Preorder! (Individual items.) Plural nouns take plural verbs, so data should be followed by a plural verb. To help clear up any confusion regarding the proper use of these terms, I list examples of datum and data being used correctly below: Although we have compiled the results, these data are the focus of another report and are not described here. B.AL. Data is often treated as a plural noun in writing related to science, mathematics, finance, and computing. This convention is well established and widely followed in both edited and unedited writing. there is no plural form of it. The answer is, sure. Cite it. However, it is still acceptable to treat "data" as plural. -- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AP_Stylebook Keep in mind that most of the time the plural form data should be used. We hope these examples help to clear up any confusion regarding the proper use of data. Keep in mind, though, that some people consider the singular data incorrect. However, if you still have questions, feel free to leave a comment. When to Include Page Numbers in a Reference List Entry, The Relation of Tables and Figures With Text. However, you might see data treated as a singular noun, and you might have wondered whether that’s correct. In every other one of the 53 mentions, the United States is a singular entity — a novel idea in 1787. ( Log Out /  PLURAL IN FORM: Some words that are plural in form become collective nouns and take singular verbs when the group or quantity is regarded as a unit. I'm a copyeditor and proofreader available for hire. Use databank and database, but data processing (n. and adj.) However, you might see data treated as a singular noun, and you might have wondered whether that’s correct. A.Ala. 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