Re: style guides (was: frustrating grammar error)

["Rob Writer" <piercedroo -at- hotmail -dot- com>]

<...but "data" is a plural noun.
Greg>

This is not entirely correct, and makes a good case for the often harped-on 
notion of "pick one or the other, and use it consistently", and make it a 
part of your style guide.

According to two different sources, neither of which are absosulte 
authorities on the matter: MS Manual of Style--Use either singular or plural 
in meaning, but always with a singular verb ("the data is"). And from Strunk 
and White--Data is a plural, and is best used with a plural verb. The word, 
however, is gaining acceptance as a singular.

Remember, however, that S&W was originally published in 1959. Perhaps the 
singular style has gained "complete" acceptance by now?

I don't think this thread is really so much about grammar as it is about 
selecting/creating/modifying a style guide, and then sticking to it 
consistently.

_________________________________________________________________
Chat with friends online, try MSN Messenger: http://messenger.msn.com


^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Now's a great time to buy RoboHelp! You'll get SnagIt screen capture
software and a $200 onsite training voucher FREE when you buy RoboHelp
Office or RoboHelp Enterprise. Hurry, this offer expires February 28, 2002. www.ehelp.com/techwr

Have you looked at the new content on TECHWR-L lately?
See http://www.raycomm.com/techwhirl/ and check it out.

---
You are currently subscribed to techwr-l as: archive -at- raycomm -dot- com
To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-techwr-l-obscured -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com
Send administrative questions to ejray -at- raycomm -dot- com -dot-  Visit 
http://www.raycomm.com/techwhirl/ for more resources and info.