Which one is correct?
"data were" or "data was"?

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data were

This phrase is correct when referring to data as a plural entity.

Use 'data were' when treating data as a plural noun, such as when discussing multiple sets of data or pieces of information.

Examples:

  • The data were compared to previous findings.
  • The data were collected over several months.
  • The data were analyzed using advanced techniques.

Alternatives:

  • The pieces of data were
  • The sets of data were
  • The information was

data was

This phrase is correct when referring to data as a singular entity.

Use 'data was' when treating data as a singular noun, such as when discussing a single set of data or information.

Examples:

  • The data was analyzed thoroughly.
  • The data was collected from various sources.
  • The data was presented in a clear format.

Alternatives:

  • The information was
  • The dataset was
  • The statistics were
Both 'data was' and 'data were' can be correct depending on the context. 'Data was' is used when referring to data as a singular entity, while 'data were' is used when referring to data as a plural entity. The choice between 'was' and 'were' depends on whether you consider data to be a singular or plural noun.

Last Updated: March 15, 2024

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