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Subject:RE: Data in technical writing: Some Questions From:Kim Roper <kim -dot- roper -at- pixelink -dot- com> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Mon, 24 Mar 2003 10:20:34 -0500
Fred Hone asked:
> Is data singular, plural or either/or depending on the
> circumstances?
Technically, "data" is plural, "datum" is singular.
As for usage, I'm going to have to rely on the tech writer's standard
response: "It depends." The objective is communicate effectively--if your
audience uses a different grammar from that in the text books, the
audience's needs take precedence. If there is a risk of confusion, define
your terms and move along.
"Data" is a rather abstract idea. Incidentally, in my experience, the
hardware equivalent of the I-need-a-generic-catch-all term is "device."
I've seen it applied to items from sub-micron features to things much larger
than a breadbox, with no misunderstanding.
Cheers ... Kim
"Touching the hardware costs extra." -- S. Holton, PMP
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