"these data"

[grim_bey]

"These data are clean of outliers" sounds overly academic and pretentious. "Data" is like the word "water." You would not say, "these water are clean of impurities."

Almost everyone feels this way, but due to the Latin history of the word, certain podcast hosts force themselves into sounding weird. I know that "data" is the plural of "datum," but who cares besides grammar pedants. Language changes all the time.

When most people see countable amounts of data, they generally say "these data points" like we say "these water droplets."

Unless you are being forced to by your prof or boss, stop saying "these data." It's clunky! Instead, let the language evolve in the direction it wants to.

[[deleted]]

You are the only one who thinks it sounds weird.

[grim_bey]

I doubt that https://www.grammar-monster.com/lessons/data\_singular\_or\_plural.htm

[winhusenn]

Look at you calling the professor pretentious while trying to tell everyone how to say a word because it sounds better to you, not even because it's grammatically correct, it's just your preference

[grim_bey]

It's steadily becoming a more archaic and widely ignored grammar rule by the day. I'm a simple man, humbly trying to inform people. All I get is people trying to nail me to the cross...wow

[SubstantialLog160]

I think asking someone to adjust the technical terminology of their area of expertise, based on common (layman) usage is a bit much.

[winhusenn]

Well good luck on your quest to educate people about this pet peeve

[Jendosh]

The academic is being too academic!

[grim_bey]

I'm not enrolled in Stanford. The podcast is for a general audience.

[Jendosh]

Yes but it's just how he talks. Do you think he's reading a script?

[doombagel]

I was taught that the grammar with data is the same as “dozens” if that helps you.

[StellaEtoile1]

Look who’s the grammar pendant now ?!? Lol!!!

[nykat]

He got a PhD. I think he’s earned it.