many a/an+可數名詞單數作主語時,謂語動詞用單數還是用複數?

題目：

many a/an+可數名詞單數作主語時,謂語動詞用單數還是用複數?

解答：

「many a＋單數可數名詞」形式上爲單數,但意義上爲複數(意爲「許多」),若用作主語,其謂語通常與形式一致而不與意義一致(即謂語用單數).如：
Many a student has seen the film.許多學生看過這部電影.
Many a fine man has died in that battle.許多優秀的士兵死於那次戰役.
Many a ship has been wrecked on those rocks.許多船隻毀於那些礁石之上.
Many a young man has tried and failed.很多年輕人都試過,而且失敗了.
Many a successful store has paid its rent cheerfully.許多成功的店鋪都非常樂意地付了房租.
註：「many a＋單數名詞」是一個十分正式的結構,在口語或非正式文體中一般都用 many＋複數名詞」代之.