Is it correct to combine an English singular with a Latin plural as in "this data"?

ceetee

Pedants such as myself maintain that correct usage is "these data", but this link explains quite nicely the distinction between a count noun and a "mass" noun. http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/is-data-singular-or-plural.aspx Jan 18 11, 5:47 AM

Baloo55th

Data strictly are a a collection of bits of information, each of which is a datum. Nowadays, 'data' is applied to information whether it is a collection of separate things or one large lump, and people forget the singular. (A bit like 'panini', which in the UK at least is a toasted sandwich with griddle marks carefully applied. In Italy, panini are sort of bun type things used for producing a sandwich, and each one is a panino - little loaf, literally 'little bread'.) I see the word 'alumni' applied to a single person quite often (in American use - we don't often use the term here). A single one is an alumnus. As to data, if it's only one bit of info use datum and impress everyone. Otherwise, write to your reader. If producing something for someone you know to be pedantic, treat the word as plural. If not, take your pick. 'This data' is so common a use now that no-one will worry. They probably won't know - unless you are supplying data to a university English Language department... Jan 18 11, 9:02 AM

shimonbentzvi

When did speaking correctly make you a"pedant?" Jan 18 11, 10:21 AM

looney_tunes

Language is an evolving entity, as you can quickly see if you do a survey of English literature. And as common usage changes, what is considered 'correct' changes as well. Those of use who want to maintain the 'correct' usage of an earlier time will inevitably be seen as pedants by those who are happy with the direction of change. This is one example of a situation in which things are clearly changing. My personal bugbear (using like instead of as in structures such as 'like they do') is so much a lost cause that its use is now considered informal rather than incorrect. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/pedant http://www.grammar.cl/Notes/Like_vs_As.htm Jan 18 11, 1:28 PM