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> Should it be "data were" or "data was"
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Data is considered a collective noun. A collective noun
is a word that is singular in form but represents a group
of persons, animals, or things such as board, committee,
and jury.
If the group acts as a unit, use a singular verb.
Example: The committee has agreed....
If the members of the group are thought of as acting
separately, use a plural verb.
Example: The committee are not in agreement on....
I got this info from the Gregg Reference Manual. It
doesn't specifically state data as a collective noun.
But, my last TW seminar from Solutions says that
it is.
