Data is the plural of datum in Latin. We are not speaking Latin. All kinds of Latin plurals are singular in English. OK, agenda is the only one that comes immediately to mind, but there's one, anyway.
Wash: You want a slinky dress? I can buy you a slinky dress. Captain, can I have money for a slinky dress? Jayne: I'll chip in. Zoe: I can hurt you.
'Shindig'
Natter 69: Practically names itself.
Off-topic discussion. Wanna talk about corsets, duct tape, or physics? This is the place. Detailed discussion of any current-season TV must be whitefonted.
Jesse - Nov 15, 2011 1:55:59 pm PST #6896 of 30001
Sometimes I trip on how happy we could be.
Allyson - Nov 15, 2011 1:57:18 pm PST #6897 of 30001
Wait, is this real-world child support, where the money goes to buy food for the kids, or MRA fantasyland child support where the women just buy Ferraris and cocaine? -Jessica
It's a science paper, which will be read by a mixed audience of scientists and laypersons.
Steph L. - Nov 15, 2011 1:59:05 pm PST #6898 of 30001
this mess was yours / now your mess is mine
Data is the plural of datum in Latin. We are not speaking Latin.
I don't think that reasoning will fly with the AMA Style Guide.
Like I said, depends on the audience.
Steph L. - Nov 15, 2011 1:59:20 pm PST #6899 of 30001
this mess was yours / now your mess is mine
It's a science paper, which will be read by a mixed audience of scientists and laypersons.
I'd make it plural, then. Even if it sounds weird to you.
Jesse - Nov 15, 2011 1:59:32 pm PST #6900 of 30001
Sometimes I trip on how happy we could be.
Like I said, depends on the audience.
Absolutely.
flea - Nov 15, 2011 2:04:45 pm PST #6901 of 30001
information libertarian
Can I talk about my cray cray new boss? She told me, in the middle of a meeting about moving the PA3000s, that she's in the process of getting a divorce from her husband of 42 years. She doesn't eat; she eats one "food bar" (her phrase) during the day. We have sit-down meetings about things like toner, which I can totally handle looking in the closet to see if there is toner, you know? Even on day 2. She's a nice woman, but she needs to CALM DOWN.
DavidS - Nov 15, 2011 2:08:15 pm PST #6902 of 30001
"Look, son, if it's good enough for Shirley Bassey, it's good enough for you."
We have sit-down meetings about things like toner, which I can totally handle looking in the closet to see if there is toner, you know?
OMG how can you be so calm and reasonable about toner?!?! What if you fucking ran out? Huh?! No printing, that's what! Then you'd be in a world of trouble. You better get your toner priorities straight, lady! You have to get on top of this toner issue immediately with actionable dates.
le nubian - Nov 15, 2011 2:13:19 pm PST #6903 of 30001
"And to be clear, I am the hell. And the high water."
Allyson: plural is what I would recommend.
I guarantee that the people who think it should be plural and see it as not will be more enraged than people who think it should be singular.
le nubian - Nov 15, 2011 2:13:50 pm PST #6904 of 30001
"And to be clear, I am the hell. And the high water."
Meetings about toner sounds like Office Space for realz.
Jesse - Nov 15, 2011 2:14:26 pm PST #6905 of 30001
Sometimes I trip on how happy we could be.
Oh my, flea.