The singular of data in Latin is datum, but in English it’s data. It is a mass noun where it’s not easy to break it into individual, countable pieces. Something like sand is almost never represented in ite plural form of sands.
The singular of data in Latin is datum, but in English it’s data. It is a mass noun where it’s not easy to break it into individual, countable pieces. Something like sand is almost never represented in ite plural form of sands.
Yanks say mass noun and not uncountable noun?
To me, mass noun sounds more like a group noun, such as family or police - where they work as both singular and plural .
My family are hungry. My family is hungry.
Brits who say “Microsoft are doing a thing” are poking knitting needles into my ears every time!
It’s not plural. Microsoft is a company. A. One!
It doesn’t matter that it’s a company of individuals. Next your going to tell me my person is plural because I’m made from many cells. “CrayonRosary are mistaken about language!” No!
Bonus: Math is singular, too, because mathematics is singular. It’s not the plural of mathematic!
We overthrew your rule specifically because of this one language issue!
Created the time line specifically for Webster to frankenstein the language for sinister ends.
I admire the gusto.
But also:
We don’t call them group nouns either. We call then collective nouns.