Re: IS or ARE

[Dave Meek <meekd -at- WSERVER -dot- DO -dot- LOSRIOS -dot- CC -dot- CA -dot- US>]

At 03:51 PM 5/29/97 -0400, you wrote:
>Guys...quick question.
>
>Is it:
>
>Real-time data "is" displayed...   or   Real-time data "are" displayed....
>
>I want to say "is", but data is a plural so should I use "are"?
>
>John Posada

I'm assuming you have a reason for the passive construction of your sentence
and that you can't or won't change it.  Given that assumption:

My AHD lists "datum" as the singular form and "data" as the plural.
However, I can't remember ever hearing or reading "datum" except in the
dictionary.  My experience is that common usage favors "data is displayed."

If you're a stickler for technical adherence to grammar rules, "data are
displayed" would be your best choice.  By that same token, you would have to
choose "Real-time data provide information for making instant decisions"
(which I think sounds awful) over "Real-time data provides information for
making instant decisions."  For me, the first one sounds like a British
usage, such as "The staff are happy to serve you."

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