Data as collective singular

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Colin Rose - 23 Jan 2004 17:01 GMT

In correct English (UK) usage, is 'data' treated as a collective
singular, as per:

Here is the data: blah

as distinct from the US usage:

Here are the data: blah

Cheers and thanks

Colin

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David - 23 Jan 2004 17:18 GMT

> In correct English (UK) usage, is 'data' treated as a collective
> singular, as per:

> Here is the data: blah

> as distinct from the US usage:

> Here are the data: blah

Yes, except by those annoying pedants.

On the other hand, all singular entities comprising several members are
treated as plural in the UK simply to differentiate ourselves from
those annoying Yanks who insist on the singular.

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Discussion Groups / British English / January 2004

Data as collective singular