Halp please.
"...based on a multitude of data that IS not..." or "...based on a multitude of data that ARE not..."???
I'm making better progress on my paper today. Which must needs since it is due at midnight. I plan to work 50 minutes and then take a 10 minute break each hour. Half an hour for dinner. I need to write at least a page an hour - which is going to be challenging as I need to pull research support as I go. I have a list of potential resources, so it won't be as start from scratch as it could have been.
I WILL NOT DO THIS TO MYSELF IN MY OTHER CLASSES. I WILL NOT DO THIS TO MYSELF IN MY OTHER CLASSES. I WILL NOT DO THIS TO MYSELF IN MY OTHER CLASSES. I WILL NOT DO THIS TO MYSELF IN MY OTHER CLASSES. I WILL NOT DO THIS TO MYSELF IN MY OTHER CLASSES.
Are.
per my instinct and [link]
I would say multitude is.
In medical writing, "data" is a plural noun, so it takes "are". I don't know what the accepted standard is in nonmedical writing. Even on NPR I hear them say "data is."
For a contrary opinion
"multitude of data that is"
14,400,000 Google results
"multitude of data that are"
10 Google results
My ear likes is too. Not An Editor!
Hmmmm. Well, so far the professor hasn't dinged me on grammar issues and there are arguments for both sides, so I think I'll run with is.
Thank you. Four pages of twelve done.
You're modifying multitude (is), not data (are).
I'm at 8 pages or 2/3rd done.
It is SLOW going due to the need to research and cite corroborating peer reviewed articles. Thankfully I have a student PMI membership and can access their library in addition to the school library.
I have 5 hours to do at least 4 more pages. Ok, 4.5 so I can take a dinner break. I'm also trying to take a 5 minute internet break and a 5 minute leave my desk break each hour.
Data is vs. data are is a perennial debate, at least when I've used it. The scientists like "data are"...well, the editors who edit the scientists like making it plural. But it's really a tossup.
