Vocabulary & Precision

Is 'data' singular or plural?

1 min de lecture

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.

💡 Astuce

Data = Information → Singular
Data = Many Pieces → Plural

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Is 'data' singular or plural?

Everyday and Informal Use: Singular

Scientific or Formal Use: Plural

💡 Astuce

Teste tes connaissances 📝

This ___ shows how teenagers use social media.

Découvre l'application : Français sans Fautes

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Me vs. I

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Omission of Auxiliary Verbs in Questions/Negatives (e.g. He not go)

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Is 'data' singular or plural?

Everyday and Informal Use: Singular

Scientific or Formal Use: Plural

💡 Astuce

Teste tes connaissances 📝

This ___ shows how teenagers use social media.

Découvre l'application : Français sans Fautes

D'autres règles similaires

Me vs. I

May vs. Might

Em Dash vs. En Dash vs. Hyphen

Omission of Auxiliary Verbs in Questions/Negatives (e.g. He not go)

Countable vs. Uncountable Nouns (e.g. informations, advices)

Word Order in Questions

Passive Voice

I.e. vs. E.g.