Should I write "the media is" or "the media are"?
Is "Media" Singular or Plural?
"Media" derives from the Latin plural of "medium." However, it does not follow that "media" should always be treated as a plural word in modern English. "Media" is no longer the plural of "medium." The plural of "medium" is "mediums."The Quick Answer
When "media" refers to the press or broadcasters, it is treated as a collective noun. This means it should be treated as singular, unless the context demands it be treated as plural (e.g., "The media were heading north and east.").More about the Word "Media"
The word "media" now means:- "Those who message through television, radio, the printed press or the electronic "press" (i.e., the internet)." (Using this definition, "media" is a collective noun, i.e., a word that represents a group of people, animals, or things.)
- The media are present with vans, lorries, scooters, and bicycles. (This sentence considers the media as lots of separate entities.)
- The media is present. (This sentence considers the media as one entity.)
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