Datum means "a given" or "something that should be taken into consideration." Those who insist on using data as a plural noun stand on a Latin pedestal: The word, they argue correctly, is the plural form of the noun datum, and should therefore take a plural verb: “the data show this,” “the data suggest that.” These people are often scientists or academics who deal a lot in data. In surveying and civil engineering, where datum has specialized senses, the plural form is datums. For example: To help clear up any confusion regarding the proper use of these terms, I list examples of datum and data … It is almost always treated as a plural in scientific and academic writing. datums. ★ Datum plural form: Add an external link to your content for free. datums. Merriam-Webster calls data “plural in form but singular or plural in construction.” In scientific use, data typically functions as the plural of datum. For all other senses, the plural is data. datum n noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc. Instead people say "data point" to represent a single unit of data. In one sense, data is the plural form of datum. This is a case where you need to know the patterns of your context. Nobody really uses the word "datum." Third-person singular simple present indicative form of datum; Noun . Data definition is - factual information (such as measurements or statistics) used as a basis for reasoning, discussion, or calculation. This is how the American Psychological Association Publication Manual says data should be treated. This plural is permissible only in the sense of "fixed reference points". How to use data in a sentence. data n noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc. plural of datum; Usage notes . ... the plural form is "datums" in contrast to the normal plural "data." Many American usage communities, however, use “data” as a singular and some have even gone so far as to invent “datums” as a new plural. “Datum” is so rare now in English that people may assume “data” has no singular form. Usage in English. In other types of writing it is either singular or plural. Many data. Plural nouns take plural verbs, so data should be followed by a plural verb. It's the plural form of Latin word "datum." From data (npl plural noun: Noun always used in plural form--for example, "jeans," "scissors." ta A fact or proposition used to draw a conclusion or make a decision. One datum. The singular datum meaning “a piece of information” is now rare in all types of writing. (The use of data as a singular mass noun, once considered incorrect, is now increasingly accepted in English.) 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