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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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data is

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "data is" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to data as a singular mass noun, often in contexts related to statistics, analysis, or technology. Example: "The data is conclusive, showing a clear trend in user behavior over the past year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Data is data.

News & Media

Los Angeles Times

Data is not weighted.

News & Media

The Guardian

Hard data is scant.

Communications data is.

News & Media

The Guardian

Data is their currency.

Everybody's data is important.

News & Media

The Guardian

"The data is mixed".

News & Media

The New York Times

Data is the key.

"Data is incredibly liberating".

The data is terrifying.

This data is static.

News & Media

The New York Times
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "data is", ensure the context implies a singular, collective entity. For instance, "the data is being analyzed" suggests the data is treated as a whole. If dealing with individual data points, consider "the data are" or rephrase to emphasize individual elements.

Common error

Avoid using "data is" when referring to specific data points. It's more appropriate to say, "the data points are", or rephrase to, "the individual data points show" to maintain grammatical accuracy.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

89%

Authority and reliability

4.6/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "data is" functions as a statement of fact or condition. It is used to assert a characteristic, state, or attribute of data, treating it as a singular, collective noun. The correctness and usability of this phrase are supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "data is" is grammatically correct and very common in written English. As supported by Ludwig, it's used to describe data as a singular, collective entity and is suitable for various contexts, especially in news and media. While "data are" exists, "data is" is generally favored when data is treated as a whole. Remember to ensure subject-verb agreement and context clarity when using this phrase. Ludwig's examples and analysis support this widespread usage.

FAQs

How do I use "data is" in a sentence?

Use "data is" when referring to data as a singular, collective entity. For example, "The "data is" being used to improve the system."

What are some alternatives to using "data is"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "the information is", "the evidence suggests", or "the results demonstrate".

When is it appropriate to use "data are" instead of "data is"?

While "data is" treats data as a singular mass noun, "data are" treats data as plural. Some find "data are" appropriate when referring to individual data points. However, using ""data is"" and adjusting the sentence for clarity is more common in modern usage.

Is "data is" formal or informal?

The phrase ""data is"" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, depending on the surrounding language and the overall tone of the writing. It's frequently used in news reports, academic papers, and business communications.

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Source & Trust

89%

Authority and reliability

4.6/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: