data contain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "data contain" is not correct in standard written English.
It should be used in a context where "data" is treated as a plural noun, typically followed by a plural verb. Example: "The data contain valuable insights that can help us improve our strategy."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Because newly released data contain the first faint hope that, not only is the economy in New York City not getting worse, it may actually be getting better.

The New York Times

The XML data contain hierarchy of heterogeneous CAD assemblies.

Computers in Industry

The ISMU data contain information on social and economic characteristics.

IZA Journal of Migration

Most learning algorithms work most effectively when their training data contain completely specified labeled samples.

Artificial Intelligence

These data contain clues to changes of glycosyl transferase activity that accompany speciation.

Placenta

Voxel data describe structural information, whereas SDF data contain details on 3D shapes.

Neurocomputing

MEG and EEG data contain additive correlated noise generated by environmental and physiological sources.

NeuroImage

The functional data contain high dimensionality, high feature correlation, non-stationality, and large amount of noise.

Expert Systems with Applications

Communications records, often referred to as meta data, contain information about a communication event, but not its content.

TechCrunch

Network data contain configurations, signal strength, traffic load, and interference information.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

These actual logistics data contain information about the delivery status of required material.

Visualization in Engineering

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer using alternatives like "data include", "data encompass", or "data hold" for better grammatical accuracy and clarity in formal writing. When referring to "data", treat it as a plural noun.

Common error

Avoid using "data contain" as it implies singular agreement with a plural noun. Always ensure verb agreement by using "data include" or structuring the sentence to use "dataset contains".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "data contain" functions as a predicate in sentences, aiming to express that data encompasses, includes, or holds specific information. While widely used, it presents grammatical issues due to subject-verb disagreement, as highlighted by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

77%

News & Media

15%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "data contain" is frequently used to indicate that data encompasses specific information. However, Ludwig AI points out that this construction isn't grammatically correct. While prevalent, especially in scientific and news contexts, it's advisable to use alternatives like "data include", "data encompass", or "data hold" for clearer and more accurate writing. When referring to datasets, consider restructuring sentences to use "dataset contains" to ensure subject-verb agreement. Prioritizing grammatical precision enhances credibility and clarity, particularly in formal communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the dataset contains

Uses "dataset" as singular and corrects the verb conjugation to "contains."

data include

Replaces "contain" with "include", a more grammatically sound option in standard English.

data hold

A more direct substitution for "contain", indicating the data possesses certain information.

data encompass

Uses "encompass" for a broader, more comprehensive sense of data inclusion.

data show

A simple and direct way to express that data demonstrates something.

data consist of

Employs "consist of" to describe the specific elements that the data comprises.

data comprise

Similar to "consist of", but with "comprise" indicating what the data is made up of.

data incorporate

Suggests that the data integrates or combines various elements.

data present

Indicates that the data offers or showcases specific details.

data reveal

Highlights that the data uncovers or discloses certain aspects.

FAQs

How can I use "data contain" correctly in a sentence?

While "data contain" is commonly used, it's grammatically safer to use "data include" or restructure the sentence to use "dataset contains".

What are some alternatives to "data contain"?

Alternatives include phrases like "data include", "data encompass", or "data hold", depending on the intended meaning.

Is it better to say "data contain" or "data contains"?

Neither is ideal. Although "data" is plural, "data contains" is not grammatically correct because the subject, 'data', is already plural. Consider using "dataset contains" if referring to a single dataset.

What's the difference between "data contain" and "data includes"?

"Data includes" is grammatically correct because 'includes' agrees with the plural noun 'data'. Avoid using "data contain" in formal writing.