data was used vs data were used

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

Last updated: March 25, 2024 • 1922 views

data was used

This phrase is correct when 'data' is considered as a singular entity.

Use 'data was used' when referring to data as a singular entity, such as a single set of information or a collective whole.

Examples:

The data was used to create the report.
The data was used for analysis.

Show examples from the web [+]

It is confirmed that the data was used as reported by the users in their questionnaire replies.
The data was used for the Report from the Commission to the Council and the Parliament.
The data was used for the Report from the Commission to the Council and the Parliament COM(2003) 250 final...
For the years 2010-2012 the producers that data was used to calculate the average base price were Acerinox, AST, Aperam and Outokumpu and for the year 2013 Acerinox, Aperam and Outokumpu.
OECD data was used in the Commission's report to the Stockholm European Council.
It's because the child mortality data was used...
In other cases, Eurostat data was used as the best data available concerning quantities and prices.
In none of these instances, new unverified data was used for the dumping determination.
In this respect, and in accordance with the provisions of Article 18 of the basic Regulation, official Eurostat data was used in order to establish import quantities and prices.
COMEXT data was used as the best data available concerning quantities and prices of exports by the non-cooperating companies in India and Indonesia.
Eurostat data was used to assess whether the imported products had, in terms of quantities, undermined the remedial effects of the anti-dumping measures in force on imports of biodiesel from the USA.
This data was used by the Commission as the basis for the calculation of the undertaking's limit as set out in the Annex to Decision 2010/372/EU, which lists the undertakings and the maximum quantities that may be emitted annually by each undertaking.
The methodology suggested by this interested party is flawed, because the average profit of 2,6 % was not automatically achieved on each sale of each model by all companies from which the data was used.
The methodology suggested by this interested party is flawed, because the average profit of 2,6 % was not automatically achieved on each sale of each model by all companies from which the data was used.
Comext data was used to determine overall import volumes from the PRC to the Union. Chinese, Korean and Malaysian national statistics were used for the determination of the overall imports to the Republic of Korea and Malaysia from the PRC.
In this case Eurostat data was used to determine overall import volumes from the Philippines to the Union and Chinese export statistics were used for the determination of the overall exports from the PRC to the Philippines.
In this case Comext data was used to determine overall import volumes from Taiwan to the Union and Chinese national statistics were used for the determination of the overall exports from the PRC to Taiwan.

Alternatives:

The information was used.
The dataset was used.

data were used

This phrase is correct when 'data' is considered as a plural noun.

Use 'data were used' when referring to data as a plural noun, indicating multiple sets of information or individual pieces of data.