HELP! The word "data" is PLURAL!

'This data are correct" is grammatically incorrect by any standard. It should be "These data are correct".

> "Data" is a plural word. 

Not necessarily. The APA style guide states that the word data takes a singular verb (e.g., is) when writing for a general audience, but takes a plural verb (e.g., are) when writing in a scientific and academic setting. Word is not smart enough to know your context.

When you run the Spelling and Grammar checker, you are given the option to "Ignore Once" or "Don't check for this issue". There is no way that I'm aware of that you can tell Word that a specific word should be plural or singular.

Yes, I expected it be.

I noticed that Word is not consistent in its checking of the word data. Are you experiencing this too?

Thanks for the explanation. I had no idea the APA was so wrong. I would like the grammar check to double check my agreement. So I guess every time I use the word "data" I have to tell the grammar checker to ignore once.