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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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data relies

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "data relies" is not correct in standard written English.
It is likely intended to convey that something depends on or is based on data, but the phrase itself is incomplete. Example: "The success of the project relies on accurate data collection."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Shadbolt explains how collecting the data relies on the power of the crowd.

News & Media

The Guardian

Lean data relies on picking the right tools for the job, and you may already have them.

News & Media

The Guardian

The analysis of CoGeNT data relies on the ability to distinguish energy deposits which occur near the surface of the detector from those occurring inside its bulk.

News & Media

The Guardian

The system, which is accessed via a registered card or biometric data, relies on itinerant agents visiting communities with a specially tailored internet-enabled hardware device.

News & Media

The Guardian

First, our epidemiological data relies on a sentinel network, and this non-exhaustivity could bring some uncertainty to the validity of our assumptions.

Science & Research

Nature

The quality of DNA microarray based gene expression data relies on the reproducibility of several steps in a microarray experiment.

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Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

Kamen undercuts her evaluation of the superrats by providing no statistical data, relying only on anecdotal and cultural observations.

Nigeria's old GDP data relied on a hopelessly dated snapshot of its economy in 1990.

News & Media

The Economist

Reliable and repeatable insect thermal mortality data rely on the performance of a heating device.

(b) Each annual certification of compliance pursuant to title V and the data relied on in certifying the compliance.

At a forum last week, Arumi said the initial data relied too heavily on results in Republican-leaning precincts in South Florida.

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the dependence of a system or conclusion on data, prefer the phrases "depends on the data" or "is based on data" over the grammatically incorrect "data relies."

Common error

Avoid using "data relies" because "data" is often treated as a plural noun in formal writing, requiring a plural verb form. Use "data rely" or rephrase the sentence to "the analysis relies on data."

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

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

86%

Authority and reliability

3.2/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "data relies" attempts to describe a dependency. However, it is grammatically incorrect because "data" is often treated as a plural noun, especially in academic and scientific contexts. Ludwig AI highlights the need for subject-verb agreement in such constructions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "data relies" appears with some frequency across various domains, including science, news media, and academia, it is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI underscores this point, emphasizing the need for subject-verb agreement. The intention behind the phrase is to convey that something depends on data, but more appropriate alternatives include "data rely" (treating "data" as plural) or rephrasing to "the analysis relies on data". Given the high number of examples, it's important to be aware of this common error and to use correct alternatives to ensure clarity and professionalism in writing.

FAQs

How can I correct the phrase "data relies" in my writing?

To fix "data relies", use "data rely" if treating "data" as plural, or rephrase to "the analysis relies on data" /s/the+analysis+relies+on+data.

What is a more grammatically sound alternative to "data relies"?

Consider using phrases like "data depend", "data underpin", or "conclusions are based on data" /s/conclusions+are+based+on+data. These options are grammatically correct and convey similar meanings.

Is it ever correct to use "data relies" in formal writing?

No, "data relies" is generally considered incorrect in formal writing. Opt for phrases like "data rely" or rephrase to clarify the subject and verb agreement.

How does treating "data" as singular or plural affect verb choice in similar sentences?

If treating "data" as singular, use "data is". If treating it as plural, use "data are" or rephrase to make the subject singular (e.g., "the analysis of the data relies on").

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Most frequent sentences: