many - years作主語謂語動詞用什麼

Many years 作主語，謂語動詞通常用複數，例如：

Many years have passed since they met each other last time. 自從他們上次見嗎到現在已經過去很多年了（本句中，many years 作主語，謂語動詞用了複數have passed.）

Mamy years were to pass before we met up again. 過了很多年我們才再度邂逅（摘自《網易有道詞典》）（本句中，many yeats作主語，謂語動詞用了複數were）