Why doesn't anyone realize that the word "criteria" is plural?

Question

I wanted to find out what the criteria for being a "top contributor" were, and Yahoo found several identical questions to mine, except that ALL of them said "what is the criteria..."

Criteria, vertebrae, alumni, phenomena, data... they're all plural. Criterion, vertebra, alumnus, phenomenon, and datum are singular.

Oh, and while I'm on a roll here, why oh why is it so hard for people to remember that plurals do not take apostrophes (unless they're acronyms)?

Don't they teach us anything in grade school?

Larry R · Accepted Answer

Good question!

Because people aren't taught to THINK anymore.
Grammar requires precise thought. Before you can think about to properly express your thought, you have to have a clear thought to express.
Thinking clearly takes both practice and training; and most people don't receive either one during their education.
The schools don't want to produce thinkers, they are there to produce workers and (above all) consumers.

Anonymous · Answer

It is probably because the singular form of those words is seldom used or heard.
About the apostrophes in plurals: people are confused about the use of apostrophes do they automatically add one before final 's' whether it is needed or not (just to be on the safe side). It is taught but it's easier for most to go with the majority(needlessly adding apostrophes) than to think about it.

jonnyhardway · Answer

Why do we drive on parkways and park on driveways?

By the way, I learned the plurals with the apostrophe differently.

siamese_scythe · Answer

yeah but who says datum? data is the only word i usually treat as singular even though it's actually plural, the other words i respect. words change over time... best not to be too rigid.

charlie charlie · Answer

I realize that, but I'm also an avid grammar enthusiast and a linguistics major. I'm fully aware that this response doesn't answer your question, but at least you now know that even a few young people stand in solidarity with you on this issue.

? · Answer

Funny, I have a deeply rooted instinct to be gravitated towards and worshiped. Kind regards, LooseChangeGeek

danaannellison · Answer

They only teach how to fill in circles with a #2 pencil nowadays.  Our educational system is so concerned with testing aptitute, it matters very little that our children sound so incredibly ignorant. I am hard pressed to find anyone under the age of 30 that can string together a decent sentence anymore. I can't exactly answer your question, but I can relate to your irritation.

LALALALALALALA · Answer

maybe because some people understand plural only with an s

Anonymous · Answer

I realize it.  I have realized it since elementary school.

Anonymous · Answer

because the rest of us don't care

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Why doesn't anyone realize that the word "criteria" is plural?

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