I know it's the plural of datum, but it just doesn't sound right sandwiched between "these" and "are." Like, "These data are." Here is what Oxford says. Basically, it's on the way out. It's still the preferred usage in Britain, but here in the colonies I vote for identifying it as an "uncountable noun" as in the word "information." There is no such word as "informations." "These information" sounds just as bad. I say forget proper and let's go with what sounds right. Here are some of my favorite examples of the inconsistency of the English language:
laughter -daughter
good - food
I could go on...
I'll dedicate this one to Kevin Ruggiero, who talked me out of doing it the right way.
Gary Johnson
11 years ago
