There's been a long running debate about whether the word data is singular or plural. At the economist, we stuck with the plural form until quite recently. We will now allow that kind of thing when talking obout data as an idea. So we will be able to say things like, data is now more important than physical inventory for example.
As interest rates rise, lots of pandemic-era property trends are fading—but not every market is equally vulnerable as the boom peters out. Generals have long avoided fighting in cities: it is messy and dangerous. Increasingly, though, they have no choice. And our language columnist on the subtle question of whether “data” is plural or singular.
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