■ many a

many 本来是复数，它与 a 合在一起是矛盾的。但语言上不但有 many a 的用法，而且还有 a good many, a great many 的用法，表示众多。但是要注意：Many a 后面的名词必须是单数，它作为主语（甚至两个 many a 用 and 连结），谓语动词也必须是单数。a good many 与 a great many 后面的名词则必须是复数，它作为主语，谓语动词也必须是复数。

• Many a true word is (*are) spoken in jest.笑谈常出真言。
• Many a writer and many a speaker has (*have) benefited from this book.许多写作者和演讲者都从这本书中获益。
• A great many true words are (*is) spoken in jest.笑谈常出真言。
• A good many boys have (*has) lost their hearts to her.许多男孩子都为她神魂颠倒。