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27/04/2009

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I too regard data as plural (singular datum) but I think plurals ending in a letter other than 's' tend to become assimilated to the singular.

As another example, I hear more and more often the expression "a criteria".

There are no doubt new plurals "datas" and "criterias" waiting in the wings to burst upon an expectant linguistic community.

Peter Harvey

I think that datum is hardly ever used in English, though the Spanish dato is commonly found. The French is données, I believe. Is the singular une donnée ever found?

Singular criteria is not new. According to the COD:

"It is a common mistake to use criteria as if it were a singular, as in a further criteria needs to be considered."

It might be increasing though. A Google search shows 7,110 UK sites with criterias, including the National Archive

I doubt whether we will see datas though. I suspect that is is being attracted to uncountable status by the analogy of words such as information, news and advice.

It is worth remembering that agenda and stamina are Latin plurals.

Ronnie

Yes, I know that data is a Latin plural, but there is no need to be pedantic about it. It means simply the stuff one has been given, the totality of various bits of information, and may quite happily be treated as a singular. The same goes for agenda. To J Caesar it meant things to be done, like conquering Gaul and whipping Pompey: to us it means a sheet of paper given out at a meeting and labelled Agenda. Your neighbour asks,"Have you got a spare agenda?" "Here's one," you say, not "Here they are."

Peter Harvey

Ronnie,

I am sorry you think I was being pedantic. All I said was that I regard data as plural; I said nothing about how other people should use it.

And as for agenda and stamina, I was merely pointing out that some words that are Latin plurals are unquestionably and only singular in English.

Ronnie

Not you, Peter. I intended the general "one" and I apologise if that was not clear. Between us we have noted that several words which are plural in their original Latin are singular in their English meaning and usage. And why not?

Peter Harvey

Ronnie,

Thank you for that. I was surprised by what I took to be your attitude and I am very pleased to know that I was mistaken.

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