Language point

The army of operators have become final arbiters of many a dispute or hotel argument.

'Many' is normally plural, but it takes on a singular verb in the phrase 'many + a/an + (singular countable noun)'.

Example: Many a mother nowadays works full-time and does not have much time for her children.

This structure is used to emphasise that there are a lot of people or things involved in something.

Compare the above example with this: 'Many mothers nowadays work full-time and do not have much time for their children.' The previous example sounds more formal and carries more emphasis.

1. I spend many ________________ (morning) writing my novel before going to work.