Posted by Larry Hoover on August 27, 2004, at 7:40:02
In reply to Plurals » JenStar, posted by sb417 on August 26, 2004, at 23:53:49
> The word data is plural (i.e., data are), but what about media? I argued with someone about this. I thought media should be plural, but my friend thought it should be singular. I'm speaking of the mass media.
The singular is medium. If you're referring to a single mode of communication, it is medium. Media is plural, and should take plural verb forms.
I suspect our incorrect usage will trump Latin, as fewer people study the latter any longer.
Bacterium/bacteria. Virus/viri. When's the last time you saw viri in print?
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:382165
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20040820/msgs/382826.html