From the OED:
Is ‘data’ singular or plural?
Strictly speaking, data is the plural of datum, and should be used with a plural verb (like facts). However, there has been a growing tendency to use it as an equivalent to the uncountable noun information, followed by a singular verb. This is now regarded as generally acceptable in American use, and in the context of information technology. The traditional usage is still preferable, at least in Britain, but it may soon become a lost cause.
You keep up the good fight and God bless you. Did you know that certain language police way back in the old days hated the bastardization of God Bless Yee into goodbye?
>>You keep up the good fight and God bless you. Did you know that certain language police way back in the old days hated the bastardization of God Bless Yee into goodbye?<<
Thanks and, wow! great factoid — sort of like how we “devolved” “God Speed You On Your Journey” into “Godspeed” (which, sadly, is all but gone).
“Data” shall be a plural noun for me and not a collective noun (IMHO people think it is the same as the collective noun “information”) until I take my dying breath.