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Thread ID: 78737	2007-04-26 23:42:00	"were" or "was"?	roddy_boy (4115)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
544620	2007-04-27 13:12:00	So you would prefer to use the wrong word because it's more "popular"? In most technical fields, there's a strong tendency to prefer precision . There is a good reason for that . Someone who bothers to be correct in their language might be more careful in the production of his data . I leave production of "popular" data which "sounds better" to politicians and advertisers . No no, I use "was" because people look at you weirdly if you use "were" . I prefer precision too but seeing the appalling state of spelling and grammar in this country, I prefer to use something that people get, even if it may not be absolutely technically correct .	beeswax34 (63)
544621	2007-04-28 00:01:00	Is "were' correct in this case? I thought it should be "was", as it is referring to one data set. Or is it "were" as it's referring to multiple data points? Or is it one of those cases where both answers are correct? In those circumstances I usually step around the conflict by substituting "result" for "data" and using "was obtained" for small amounts of data (<5 datum), or "results" and "were" for larger amounts (>5 datum). Good grammar is important, but life is short and there's too many nit-picking pedants out there. You'll never please them all. Cheers Billy 8-{)	Billy T (70)
544622	2007-04-28 04:28:00	"...step around the conflict..."? What conflict? Why bother? If the audience is illiterate, it's probably innumerate too. Be careful, Billy. Pot. Kettle. Black.	Graham L (2)
544623	2007-04-28 04:56:00	Someone who bothers to be correct in their language might be more careful in the production of his data. Oh? Damn potty smuts. :)	R2x1 (4628)
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