TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:Re: IS or ARE From:Mike Bygrave <bygravem -at- INTUITIVE -dot- CO -dot- UK> Date:Fri, 30 May 1997 10:10:50 +-100
Arlen and Ernie suggested that British audiences would expect to see data referred to as plural (because we do the same with other collective nouns). Actually, in English, data is almost always used in a singular sense -- it's just another of our irregulars.
So, in English and American data is used as a singular -- that sounds fairly conclusive to me.
Cheers
Mike Bygrave (bygravem -at- intuitive -dot- co -dot- uk)
"1966 was a great year for English football - Cantona was born"
"I like deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they
fly by." - Douglas Adams
TECHWR-L (Technical Communication) List Information: To send a message
to 2500+ readers, e-mail to TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU -dot- Send commands
to LISTSERV -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU (e.g. HELP or SIGNOFF TECHWR-L).
Search the archives at http://www.documentation.com/ or search and
browse the archives at http://listserv.okstate.edu/archives/techwr-l.html
