In many contexts and regardless of Latin roots, data is acceptable as a singular. The word has taken the meaning of "information" in the abstract sense. As in "Much data exists on subject X." It's not always quantifiable in the sense of one datum, two data. Most dictionaries report this now. Of course, maybe those sloppy-speaking youngsters have access to newer dictionaries than the eloquent people of your generation do.
Since you're picking on youngsters — and The Independent, for that matter — I'll point out that "specie," according to Webster, is "nonstandard," but certainly not "fictitious." And even a News-Press editor could clean up the redundancy in "It was a highly effective aversion treatment that worked."
And to Starshine: Great column. You really need to dig up some photos of yourself in your Valley Girl stage.
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Posted on July 5 at 1:43 p.m.
Mr. Pritchett:
In many contexts and regardless of Latin roots, data is acceptable as a singular. The word has taken the meaning of "information" in the abstract sense. As in "Much data exists on subject X." It's not always quantifiable in the sense of one datum, two data. Most dictionaries report this now. Of course, maybe those sloppy-speaking youngsters have access to newer dictionaries than the eloquent people of your generation do.
Since you're picking on youngsters — and The Independent, for that matter — I'll point out that "specie," according to Webster, is "nonstandard," but certainly not "fictitious." And even a News-Press editor could clean up the redundancy in "It was a highly effective aversion treatment that worked."
And to Starshine: Great column. You really need to dig up some photos of yourself in your Valley Girl stage.
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