Writing Tips
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Index D
- dangling modifiers
- Dano-
- Dari
- Dari Persian
- data
- date: order of elements (Linguistic recommendation from the Translation Bureau)
- daylight saving time
- daylight time
- de-
- De Beaujeu
- decided
- decidedly
- decimate
- decimation
- decision
- decision making
- decision-making
- decision taking
- decision-taking
- decisive
- decisively
- default on
- defective
- defence
- defend against
- defend from
- defense
- defensive
- deficient
- definite
- definite article with initialisms
- definitely
- definitive
- definitively
- de luxe
- deluxe
- delve into
- demi-
- demonstrative adjectives
- demonstrative pronouns
- demonyms in Canada
- depart
- depart for
- depart from
- dependant
- dependent
- deprecate
- depreciate
- deprive of
- Deputy Governor General
- derivation of
- derive from
- describe
- description
- desert
- designate as
- dessert
- di-
- dia-
- diagonally opposite
- dialyse
- dialyze
- didn’t use to
- different
- different from
- different than
- different to
- differ from
- differ in
- differ with
- dilemma
- directly
- direct object
- dis-
- disagree
- disagree about
- disagree on
- disagree over
- disagree with
- disassociate from
- disc
- discouraged about
- discouraged at
- discouraged by
- discouraged over
- discourage from
- discreet
- discrete
- disingenuous
- disinterested
- disk
- disorient
- dispense from
- dispense to
- dispense with
- dissatisfied
- dissociate from
- distinctive
- divest of
- divide in
- divide in half
- divide into
- divide in two
- Dominion Day
- doubt but that
- doubt that
- downward tumble
- Dr.
- due to
- during such time
- during the time that
- dyeing
- dying
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data
Data is a Latin plural which is often used as a singular or collective noun. (The Latin singular datum is seldom used, except occasionally in the sciences.)
- These data from the early experiments are thoroughly convincing.
- This new data means the end of life as we know it.
Those wishing to avoid having to choose between singular and plural can simply recast the sentence using information, facts or some similar noun.
- These findings from the early experiments are thoroughly convincing.
- This new information means the end of life as we know it.
In computer usage, data is almost always singular.
- Data moves very quickly from the Web to the PC user, if a high-speed cable modem is used.
Never use a number as a modifier for data as in "five data"; rather, refer to "five pieces of data."
- Twenty-two pieces of confidential data were received early yesterday morning from China.
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Writing tools – Writing Tips
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