"Là, une multitude d'étals de poissons fraîchement pêchés aiguisaient l'appétit des passants"
I don't understand the plural here: Isn't it "Une multitude d'étals" - multitude being singular - which is the subject of the verb - rather than "D'étals" themselves, which would be plural.
I'm trying to devine whether there is some rule at work here here, or whether it's pretty much optional.
Jim,
in this case the focus is the fish stalls with their fresh fish, rather than ‘the multitude’.
According to Larousse, ‘ une multitude …’ is usually followed by the plural, whereas ‘ la multitude ‘ ( focus on the multitude) is usually followed by the singular verb form.
This general rule applies to most ( but not all) similar nouns :
DIFFICULTÉS
ACCORD
Avec la multitude des, le verbe se met normalement au singulier : la multitude des étoiles ne peut pas être reproduite sur un petit planisphère.
Avec une multitude de, le verbe se met au pluriel : une multitude d'étoiles brillent dans le ciel.
https://www.larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais/la_plupart/61784#difficulte
Much the same distinction applies in English to ‘singular’ collective group nouns that can also indicate either ‘the group’ or ‘ a grouping of individuals (or things).
https://brians.wsu.edu/2016/05/24/majority-are-majority-is/#:~:text=If%20you%20mean%20the%20word,next%20meeting%20at%206%3A00
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