Vocabulary & Precision

Is 'data' singular or plural?

1 min read

In English, the word data can be treated as singular or plural depending on the context — and that’s where many writers get confused.

Everyday and Informal Use: Singular

In most general, informal, or modern writing, data is treated as a noncount noun, like information or evidence. It refers to a body of knowledge, not individual parts.

This data shows how students perform over time.
The data is accurate and complete.
Her data was lost after the system crash.

📌 In these examples, “data” behaves like a mass noun and takes a singular verb.

Scientific or Formal Use: Plural

In more technical or academic contexts, especially in science or statistics, data is treated as the plural form of “datum”, and used with plural verbs.

These data are statistically significant.
We analyzed the data and found that they were consistent with the hypothesis.
Many data have not yet been reviewed.

📌 This use is more traditional, and preferred in disciplines like research, economics, or academia.

💡 Tip

Data = Information → Singular
Data = Many Pieces → Plural

Test your knowledge 📝

Question 1 sur 6Score: 0/6

This ___ shows how teenagers use social media.

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Vocabulary & Precision

Is 'data' singular or plural?

1 min read

In English, the word data can be treated as singular or plural depending on the context — and that’s where many writers get confused.

Everyday and Informal Use: Singular

In most general, informal, or modern writing, data is treated as a noncount noun, like information or evidence. It refers to a body of knowledge, not individual parts.

This data shows how students perform over time.
The data is accurate and complete.
Her data was lost after the system crash.

📌 In these examples, “data” behaves like a mass noun and takes a singular verb.

Scientific or Formal Use: Plural

In more technical or academic contexts, especially in science or statistics, data is treated as the plural form of “datum”, and used with plural verbs.

These data are statistically significant.
We analyzed the data and found that they were consistent with the hypothesis.
Many data have not yet been reviewed.

📌 This use is more traditional, and preferred in disciplines like research, economics, or academia.

💡 Tip

Data = Information → Singular
Data = Many Pieces → Plural

Test your knowledge 📝

Question 1 sur 6Score: 0/6

This ___ shows how teenagers use social media.

Discover the app: Shaky English

Join 100,000 people who are improving their English skills on the Shaky English app

Other similar rules

Common mistakes

Participle Clauses (-ing / -ed / perfect clauses)

Agreement rules

Incorrect Passive Voice Usage

A bit of theory

Bring vs. Take

Common confusions

Whether vs. If

Agreement rules

Word Order with Adverbs of Frequency (always, never, usually)

Agreement rules

Double Negatives (e.g. I don’t know nothing)

Common confusions

Waive vs. Wave

Common mistakes

Stop / Remember / Forget / Try + gerund vs. infinitive

Some verbs can be followed by either -ing (gerund) or to + verb (infinitive), but the meaning changes. The most important ones at B2/C1 level are stop, remember, forget, and try. 1. Stop Stop + -...