Expression: 'Many a students is/ are interested in...'

[Tom]

Hi

Could you please tell me which of the following is correct?

[Yankee]

Hi Tom

The format is this:
many a + singular noun + is.

So, your first sentence is correct.
.

[Tom]

Many thanks, Amy (still up? )

So, both are natural?

1- Many a child was killed.
2- Many children were killed.

Tom

[Yankee]

Hi Tom

Yup, I'm still up because I just got in. But I won't be up much longer.

Many a child was killed is more a written or formal style than a spoken style.

.

[Lost_Soul]

Hi, Amy

Does "many a child" mean "many children" ?