Hi, I hope everyone is well.
Could someone help with me with the following please...
1) I know that the following sentence is correct: 'Studies have shown that an asteroid shower was the main reason for the demise of dinosaurs'
Now, if I change asteroid shower from singular to plural, should it read as follows?
'Studies have shown that asteroid showers WERE the main reason for the demise of dinosaurs'
2) This got me thinking, though (not a good sign!). If I were to alter the sentence slightly...
The main reason for the demise of the dinosaurs WAS/WERE asteroid showers.
Other examples I thought of were...
The main reason I work IS/ARE (for) the children
The most important thing in my life IS/ARE women
My favourite animal IS/ARE dogs
The point I'm trying to make is: What rules are there, if any, when the first part of a sentence seems to suggest that an is/was will be needed, but that it seems to introduce a plural?
Thanks for all your help