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Usage of data: The following data pertain(s) to you.



 
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Usage of data: The following data pertain(s) to you. #1 (permalink) Sun May 18, 2008 19:22 pm   Usage of data: The following data pertain(s) to you.
 

Hello

Which way is correct?

The following data pertains to you
The following data pertain to you

My guess is "pertains" because data is singular right?
Ched133
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data #2 (permalink) Sun May 18, 2008 22:33 pm   data
 

Hello Ched,

There are three views:

1. "Data" is the plural of "datum", and should therefore take a verb in the plural.
2. "Data" is a non-count noun, like "information", and can therefore take a verb in the singular.
3. "Data" can be either a plural noun, or a non-count noun, depending on the context, and can therefore take either.

The first view often prevails in scientific publications; the second, in the context of IT, and in general usage.

Personally, I favour the third view; but this means that someone somewhere will always think you have made a mistake.

One solution is to use the phrase "data set", which is undeniably singular; or "details", if it fits the context.

Best wishes,

MrP
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data #3 (permalink) Sun May 18, 2008 22:54 pm   data
 

I also prefer view #3. Data is sometimes the plural of datum, and at other times a non-count noun, depending on the situation in which it is used.
Jamie (K)
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Usage of data: The following data pertain(s) to you. #4 (permalink) Mon May 19, 2008 11:57 am   Usage of data: The following data pertain(s) to you.
 

So, in the sentence:
According to one report, approximately 80% of all the data in the computers around the world is/are in English?
According to
Quote:
the second, in the context of IT,
the answer should be is?
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Inga
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Usage of data: The following data pertain(s) to you. #5 (permalink) Mon May 19, 2008 12:03 pm   Usage of data: The following data pertain(s) to you.
 

Inga, in that sentence I'd use "is". "Data" would be considered a singular mass noun there, except by extreme, retrograde prigs.
Jamie (K)
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Usage of data: The following data pertain(s) to you. #6 (permalink) Mon May 19, 2008 12:29 pm   Usage of data: The following data pertain(s) to you.
 

OK. I discussed this example with my students and forgot to post it here Smile. Thank you.
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Inga
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Location: Minsk, Belarus

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