Data OR Datum...Which one is correct?

By Ranjana S.

"This data is interesting" or "These data are interesting"

Data is generally considered a plural noun, the singular of which is datum. 

Datum is rarely used in everyday parlance, and it is inevitable, hence, that many people look data as a singular, considering it to mean "a piece of information." However, in best usage, data means "a number of pieces of information" and takes a plural adjective(these or those) and a plural verb.

Let us see some common words which look like singular but are in the plurals.( These words are all of Latin or Greek origin, and have the classic plural endings;hence, the lack of an s at the end of each word.)

1

Data

A collection of facts from which conclusions may be drawn (plural of datum)

Examples

Statistical data

2

Datum

An item of factual information derived from measurement or research (singular of data)

Examples

The first task is the assignment of an address to each datum

• Data (singular-datum)
• Media (singular-medium)
• Vertebrae (singular-vertebra)
• Automata (singular-automaton)
• Foci (singular-focus)
• Formulae (singular-formula)
• Memoranda (singular- memorandum)
• Candelabra (singular-candelabrum)
• Criteria (singular-criterion)

Preferable forms:

• These data are disputed.
• The memoranda on the Klaus case are on your desk.
• Wounds present foci of infection.
• His criteria are not valid.
• These phenomena want our attention.
• The candelabra are tarnished.
• New media are essential.
• The formulae have to be taken note of.
• The men act like automata.
• Her four vertebrae were broken.