Data

[WMittens]

So, imagine a scenario where you would need to write or type something like:

"My data is in the spreadsheet."
"My data are in the spreadsheet."

Which sentence would you use?

The second one

Actually, no, I would write 'I entered the data into the spreadsheet'

My data IS ON the spreadsheet.

Hairyflowers is also correct with entering data into the spreadsheet.

"Actually, no, I would write 'I entered the data into the spreadsheet'"

Taking it a bit too literally there. It's a hypothetical question regarding plurality. Anyway, what if you didn't enter the data on to the spreadsheet?

"My data IS ON the spreadsheet."

Hmmm, I would take either 'in' or 'on' - a computer file contains data, so I feel justified using "in". Especially if the file is closed.

Whilst 'data are' is correct, it also sounds deeply odd. Does anyone actually use the word 'datum'?? I work in IT and even the geeks in my office would draw the line at this. (Which is saying something when you work with people who regard 'buffer overflow' as a reasonable way of describing trying to remember too many things at once).

Like Flowers, I would avoid the question by changing the sentence.

Why do you think "data are" is correct? tribpot? It's being used as a single entity/a collection of data (or datum to use your word).

The spreadsheet contains the data

Because it's a plural, Zhaghzhagh. Much as 'my consortia are meeting today' (or similar). The fact being used with a possessive doesn't make a lot of difference, you wouldn't say 'my numbers is in the spreadsheet' (unless you were deliberately trying to sound like Ali G, perhaps).

tribpot

Exactly how I feel - '...data is...' sounds much more natural to me, although I know it is wrong.

It might be at a similar point as die/dice: through misuse it has become the norm and now sounds correct.

Tribpot, would you say the group are meeting, the crowd are gathering? Personally I'd use is in both of these examples.

I would use 'is' as well. Because 'group' is a collective noun. You could equally say 'my group of data is in the spreadsheet'.

I'm not disputing, btw, that 'my data are in the spreadsheet' sounds wrong, but it is grammatically correct. And this is Pedants' Corner. Common usage is bringing 'data' to where 'dice' already is, where the plural is used in place of the singular, to the point where using the correct term sounds archaic. Some style guides already allow for the use of data as a singular, and I suspect this trend will grow.

My other example, consortia, was chosen deliberately because this word has been used a lot over the past few years at work, and I have had to bite my tongue on more than one occasion when I've heard someone say "so, a consortia will decide .. " - drives me bloody bonkers!