data that are

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "data that are" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in contexts where "data" is treated as a plural noun, particularly in scientific or academic writing. Example: "The data that are collected from the experiment will be analyzed for trends and patterns."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We're operating on data that are inadequate for the situation".

The New York Times

It is not the data that are odd.

The Economist

But it is the educational data that are perhaps the most intriguing.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We have 50 years of data that are sitting in a basement," Dr. Lenfant said.

The New York Times

Field observations include directional data that are circular in nature.

Computers & Geosciences

Both those studies used data that are now several decades old.

The New York Times

Of course, there are certain types of data that are more sensitive than others.

Harvard Business Review

The BLS numbers draw on data that are based on weekly wages.

The Washington Post

Beacons are small pieces of data that are embedded in Web pages, applications, and e-mails.

MIT Technology Review

So the software must extract features from the shaking data that are frame independent.

MIT Technology Review

AUDIENCE: Other data that are available to everybody, looking for one thing that I always oh.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "data that are", ensure that the context clearly indicates that "data" is being treated as a plural noun. This is especially important in scientific and academic writing where precision is key.

Common error

Avoid mixing singular and plural forms when referring to data. If you begin by treating "data" as plural with "data that are", maintain this consistency throughout your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "data that are" functions as a relative clause, modifying the noun "data". It specifies or describes which data is being referred to, similar to how Ludwig AI defines relative clauses.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

38%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "data that are" is grammatically correct and commonly used, especially in formal, academic, and scientific writing, where "data" is treated as a plural noun. According to Ludwig AI, this construction functions as a relative clause. The examples demonstrate that it serves to provide additional information about specific sets of data. While alternatives exist, such as rephrasing to use "data which are" or the singular "data that is", maintaining consistency and clarity is key. Awareness of the contexts where "data that are" is most appropriate—and avoiding inconsistency in plurality—will ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

data which are

Replaces "that" with "which", offering a more formal tone.

data that is

Treats "data" as singular, which is acceptable in some contexts, but less common in formal writing.

the data that exist

Emphasizes the existence of the data being discussed.

information that is

Substitutes "data" with the broader term "information", altering the focus slightly.

the relevant data

Highlights the relevance or pertinence of the data.

the data available

Focuses on the accessibility of the data in question.

existing data

Simple substitution of equivalent expression with 2 words instead of 3.

the aforementioned data

Replaces "that are" with the single word "aforementioned", referring back to data previously discussed.

the specified data

Specifies particular data already under analysis.

the analyzed data

Emphasizes that the data have undergone analysis.

FAQs

Is it correct to say "data that is" instead of "data that are"?

While "data" is increasingly used as a singular noun, especially in informal contexts, "data that is" is generally considered less formal. "Data that are" is more appropriate for academic and scientific writing where a plural form is preferred.

When should I use "data that are" versus "data which are"?

Both "data that are" and "data which are" are grammatically correct. "That" is generally used for restrictive clauses (essential to the sentence's meaning), while "which" is used for non-restrictive clauses (adding extra information). In practice, "that" is more commonly used.

What are some alternatives to using "data that are" in a sentence?

You can use alternatives like "the relevant data", "existing data", or rephrase the sentence to avoid the need for the relative clause altogether. For example, instead of "the data that are available", you could say "the available data".

How do I ensure I'm using "data that are" correctly in my writing?

Double-check that "data" is intended to be plural in your context. Ensure that any verbs or pronouns referring back to "data" also agree in number. If you're unsure, consider rephrasing the sentence to use a more clearly plural noun or to avoid the issue of plurality altogether.