I've had this argument before, and I just ran across another example of it in a 20,000 word proposal for NASA that I am editing for someone else.
Now, it sounds OK.there are a significant amount of considerations that need to be addressed
But, really, even though this sounds weird, shouldn't it be:
...because we're talking about the "amount" instead of the "considerations"?there is a significant amount of considerations that need to be addressed
"There is a significant amount" - Ding
"There are a significant amount" - Bzzzt
If there wasn't "a significant amount", I can see how it would be right.
"There is considerations" - Bzzzt
"There are considerations" - Ding
..but I have had this argument with people before, and rather than just letting me prove my point, they just tune out and end up not getting it.
This example isn't the best, but it gets the point across.
Discuss.