[pc86]

I know data is the plural of datum but seeing "these data" instead of "the data" is always so jarring to me. Almost as jarring as seeming anyone use the word "datum" ever.

Is this one of those generational things like "on accident" vs. "by accident" or regional things like "math" vs. "maths"?

[vlovich123]

> The word data can be either singular or plural depending on meaning and context. In general usage, data is treated as singular when used as a mass noun to mean “information” and as plural when used to mean “individual facts.” In scientific and academic writing, data is almost always used as a plural noun. In digital technology, data is usually treated as a singular mass noun to mean “digitally stored information.”

While it’s used interchangeably a lot, it’s also based on whether you have a scientific or CS background. My hunch is that the scientific plural usage will eventually largely die out except in very specific situations after a few generations given that software is eating the world.

[1] https://www.thesaurus.com/e/grammar/data-is-or-data-are/

[JumpCrisscross]

Huh, didn’t know about that line. I do tend to refer to scientific data plurally, where each datum is meaningless, and technical data singularly.

[dctoedt]

> Is this one of those generational things like "on accident" vs. "by accident"

"On accident": Abomination! Kill it with fire, now! </OldFartRant>