: Should I write "what do the data show" or "what does the data show"? I wonder what the proper way of writing this question is: What do the data show? What does the data show?

@Speyer920

I wonder what the proper way of writing this question is:

What do the data show?
What does the data show?

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@Cugini967

What does the data show?

I believe data is a collective noun (though I am not 100% sure on that). Collective nouns are plural only when the context is speaking of their individual parts, or members. Otherwise they are singular. Therefore, you would use does, which is the singular form of the verb do.

Now if you were to say:

What do the data records show?

Things would be different, because you are referring to the members of the data (records).

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: Should I write "what do the data show" or "what does the data show"? I wonder what the proper way of writing this question is: What do the data show? What does the data show?

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: Can I publish excerpts from a letter without permission? It will be my pleasure to cite the author of the letter. I'm looking at perhaps ten sentences out of a four page letter. I have the

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: How to find the balance between research and the obvious I'm embarking on writing my first popular science book on a controversial subject. For sure the writing must be rational, coherent with

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