Grammar, etc.

[jimmyjazz 45877]

Of course, data ARE is correct, but I think the alternative is becoming engrained in the language.

[dcbc 14464]

18 hours ago, Jerry Callo said:

Data is . . .  or

Data are . . .

Go!

 

Is.

 

Edit: the answer apparently is both.  But under the JimmyJazz inner voice method of grammar, I'm opting for treating it as a singular noun.

 

From Webster's: Data leads a life of its own quite independent of datum, of which it was originally the plural. It occurs in two constructions: as a plural noun (like earnings), taking a plural verb and plural modifiers (such as these, many, a few) but not cardinal numbers, and serving as a referent for plural pronouns (such as they, them); and as an abstract mass noun (like information), taking a singular verb and singular modifiers (such as this, much, little), and being referred to by a singular pronoun (it). Both constructions are standard. The plural construction is more common in print, evidently because the house style of several publishers mandates it.

Edited November 14 by dcbc

[Jerry Callo 8694]