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Electrum Posted 15 years ago
Vocabulary

Media, worldwide

Back in the 80's and before, I considered media a plural, and was always careful to treat it as a plural. Now most writers make it singular. This is a sort of lapse, in my opinion.

In the same era, I considered worldwide an adjkective. Now I see that some dictionaries accept it as an adverb too. Is this another lapse, or was it always an adverb, with me as the ignorant one?
  

Top answer

I agree with you that "media" as a singular is a lapse when applied to the news media. I'm sure others may not. "Media" has long been accepted as a "stuff" in manufacturing, referring to abrasive particles used in tumbling operations, and in the formation of composite grinding wheels.

— Avangi

  • I agree with you that "media" as a singular is a lapse when applied to the news media.
  • I'm sure others may not.
  • "Media" has long been accepted as a "stuff" in manufacturing, referring to abrasive particles used in tumbling operations, and in the formation of composite grinding wheels.
  • Edit .
  • Well, now I'm having doubts.
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5 Answers
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I agree with you that "media" as a singular is a lapse when applied to the news media. I'm sure others may not.

"Media" has long been accepted as a "stuff" in manufacturing, referring to abrasive particles used in tumbling operations, and in the formation of composite grinding wheels.

Edit. Well, now I'm having doubts. When the grinding wheel is too soft, do we
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electrumBack in the 80's and before, I considered media a plural, and was always careful to treat it as a plural. Now most writers make it singular. This is a sort of lapse, in my opinion.

I'm assuming by 'media' you mean "the media", i.e. the means of mass communication - the press, radio and television. Both singular and plural verb agreement are well e
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BillJ"the media", i.e. the means of mass communication
How many are there? Emotion: wink

I trust y
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BillJ"It's a worldwide publication". (adjective)
"It's published worldwide". (adverb)
But is the adverbial sense a recent development?
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electrum
BillJ"It's a worldwide publication". (adjective)
"It's published worldwide". (adverb)
But is the adverbial sense a recent development?

I can't answer that authoritatively, as I'm no lexicographer. But I can tell you that the Chambers Mini Dictionary published in 1978 included "worldwide" as both an adj
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