What is correct "data is entered" or "data are entered"

Question

Hello,For official documentation, which of the two constructions is correct English.Relevant data are entered in the software.or Relevant data is entered in the software.I personally thing it should be "data is entered", but co-workers insist that since its more than one piece of data it should be plural. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.Kind regards,Mirko

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi Mirko,

For official documentation, which of the two constructions is correct English.

Relevant data are entered in the software.

or

Relevant data is entered in the software.

I personally thing it should be "data is entered", but co-workers insist that since its more than one piece of data it should be plural.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

My Canadian Oxford Paperback Dictionary says this.

In scientific writing, data is almost always treated as a plural, but the singular use is standard in all other levels of writing.

In my experience this is true, although I know that people who object to this often have strong feelings on the matter. I worked in the computer business for many years, and we always said 'is'.

In your examples, I'm more concerned about the phrase '. . . data is entered in the software'.

Instead of this, I've always said and read things like

'data is entered using the XYZ software'

'XYZ is used to enter the data'

''Use XYZ to enter the data'

Best wishes, Clive

Anonymous · Answer

Yes that is a toughy but it all depends on how data is defined really to some yes it is a cumination of a lot of different items so it should be plural. But a lot of singular things have a lot of components...like a basket...can hold a lot of things but it is still one basket...the same with data it has a lot of pieces in it but the sum total amounts to one whole...numbers in a spreadsheet are data...In piece...i can see the other side of the argument but it just feels weird to say data are...when its a collective noun...

Anonymous · Answer

the correct term is, "relevant data are entered in the software."

The reason being is simple. English conjugations of the "verb to be" changes depending whether the object acting out the verb is plural or singular.
I am- this is an example of a singular conjugation.
you are
we ARE- we is an example of plural conjugation

Now, since data is plural (datum is singular) it is "relevant data are entered in the software."

It is confusing because it is a Greek verb noun ending in an 'A'. Normally, we are used to nouns that are in the plural form end in 's'.

I'm an advanced multi-lingual student and 14 years old.

The college English major's Publication Manual of the American Psychological Assotiation 6th edition gives this precise explanation.

What is correct "data is entered" or "data are entered"

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