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> The singular "datum" is still used in scientific publications (I read it
> in Science News and in Scientific American all the time). But my guess
> is that "data" will soon become standard for both plural and singular usages.
Do Science News and Scientific American use "data" as the plural for
"datum" as well? I'm curious because I am actually writing a document
that talks about "datums" (data?). It seems to me that, with the common
use of the word data as a collective noun, my readers will be very
confused if I properly use data as the plural of datum. They won't
know if data means "more than one datum", or "a collection of numerical
results".
So, the bottom line: is it ever proper to say "datums"?
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Glenda Jeffrey Email: jeffrey -at- hks -dot- com
Hibbitt, Karlsson & Sorensen, Inc Phone: 401-727-4200
1080 Main St. Fax: 401-727-4208
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