"data is" vs "data are"

Question

"data is" vs "data are"

Both 'data are' and 'data is' are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Data are' is used when referring to data as a plural noun, while 'data is' is used when treating data as a singular mass noun.

Last Updated: March 06, 2024

Use 'data is' when you are considering 'data' as a singular entity or concept, representing a collection of information or statistics.

Examples:

The data is being processed by the computer.
This data is essential for the project.

Alternatives:

The information is
The statistics are
The figures are
The results are
The dataset is

Use 'data are' when you are treating 'data' as a plural noun, indicating multiple pieces of information or statistics.

Examples:

The data are being analyzed by the research team.
These data are crucial for making informed decisions.

Alternatives:

The data have
The statistics are
The information is
The figures are
The results are

Answer 1

data is

This phrase is correct when treating data as a singular mass noun.

Answer 2

data are

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

"data is" vs "data are"

data is

data are

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