Subject: Re: data..singular or plural? data: plural datum: singular However, data can be used with a singular verb or a plural one. Nicole Oren "Data" is the plural of the Latin "datum." In the United States, "data are" is the preferred usage in both the academic and business worlds. The NY Times and Wall Street Journal both use it as do consulting firms. Jerry Totally agree with you about family, Fruma. And data is used in the singular in English even though it's based on the plural of the Latin datum - data, if I remember correctly. hic haec hoc. Leah Data is plural. The singular form is datum. Bari data (plural) datum (singular) Daniel Natalie wrote: Is the word data singular or plural. To my ears you would say, " The data shows that....". However someone asked me if data is plural and it made me think twice. Love to hear what you have to say.. ----------------------------------------------- ** Etni homepage - www.etni.org ** ** for help - ask@xxxxxxxx ** ** to post to this list - etni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ** -----------------------------------------------