the data

USAGE SUMMARY

"the data" is a perfectly acceptable and commonly used phrase in written English.
You can use it whenever you are referring to information or figures that have been collected and can be used as evidence or proof. For example, "The data suggests that nearly 50% of Americans now own a smartphone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Were the data crucial?

The New York Times - Magazine

The data showed otherwise.

The New York Times

The Data: Jobs!

The New York Times

Where are the data?

The New Yorker

The Data: Wait.

The New York Times

The data remain proprietary.

The New York Times

The Data: Housing Turnaround?

The New York Times

The data were worrying.

The New Yorker

Q: And the data?

Independent

The data are in.

The New York Times - Books

We have the data.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presenting "the data", always cite your sources to maintain credibility and transparency.

Common error

Avoid presenting "the data" without sufficient context. Always explain its relevance and implications to ensure the audience understands its significance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the data" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it refers to a specific collection of information or facts. The examples illustrate its role in presenting findings, supporting claims, or providing evidence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the data" is a very common and grammatically sound phrase used to refer to a specific set of information. As Ludwig AI points out, it is acceptable in various contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific research. Its primary function is to convey factual information and support analysis. While technically "data" is plural, modern usage often treats it as singular. When using "the data", remember to provide sufficient context and cite your sources to maintain credibility. Common alternatives include "the findings", "the results", and "the information", each offering a slightly different emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the figures

Replaces "data" with "figures", emphasizing numerical aspects.

the statistics

Substitutes "data" with "statistics", highlighting the quantitative nature.

the findings

Uses "findings" instead of "data", focusing on the results obtained.

the information

Replaces "data" with the broader term "information".

the evidence

Substitutes "data" with "evidence", highlighting its role in supporting a claim.

the results

Uses "results" instead of "data", stressing the outcome of a process.

the details

Replaces "data" with "details", emphasizing specific and granular aspects.

the records

Substitutes "data" with "records", emphasizing its documentary nature.

the measurements

Uses "measurements" instead of "data", highlighting its quantification aspects.

the observations

Replaces "data" with "observations", emphasizing what was noticed or recorded.

FAQs

How to use "the data" in a sentence?

You can use "the data" to refer to a specific set of information, as in "The data suggests a correlation between exercise and mental health."

What can I say instead of "the data"?

Alternatives include "the findings", "the results", or "the information", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "the data is" or "the data are"?

While "data" is technically the plural of "datum", it's commonly treated as a singular noun in modern usage, so "the data is" is generally acceptable. However, using "the data are" is also grammatically correct, especially in formal contexts.

What is the difference between "the data" and "the metadata"?

"The data" refers to the primary information, while "the metadata" is the information about the data, such as its origin, format, and creation date.