the sounds was vs the sounds were

Some examples from the web:

• For longer phrases (4+ words) it's not always possible to find identical examples. Please try again with a shorter phrase.

  For the very best results, we recommend that you submit your full sentence to our Quick Text editing service so a human editor can provide you with the right suggestions.

Some examples from the web:

• Listen, Mark, mate, we had a thought about where the sounds were coming from.
• The sounds were external, joe, vocal, speech picked up by the ear, transmitted to the brain in a very ordinary fashion.
• The waves on the Sound were louder than thunder
• The acoustical analysis of the phone call indicates that the fight sounds were unidirectional.
• So the sounds that were before distorted and loud, were suddenly a melody.
• The sounds of the voices were harmonious.
• But the sounds of the fountains were surprising calming.
• But wherever Alex was, most of the sound waves were being reflected back off multiple hard surfaces at these approximate distances.
• When measured by experts from University College London's Audiology Unit, the sound levels were found to be louder than those of a pneumatic drill.
• I would also like to thank the Czech Presidency for the sound agreements we were able to reach, both before and during the negotiations.
• However, the EU lacks reasonable and realistic means to enforce the sound regulations that were laid down as long ago as 12 July 2006.
• She couldn't call for help because the sounds of her screams were muffled by his... girth.
• He wanted to know if the sounds on the tape were a language or gibberish.
• It reflects, to me, in a decent way what we were trying to do with the sound as we were making the record.
• Only to check if the locks were sound.
• It appears that the men were sound asleep inside their car at a rest area.
• Sounds like the sisters were interested in the same man.
• When the only buffalo of the village returned safe and sound, the villagers were thrilled.
• On the Stability and Growth Pact, the Prime Minister stated that the economic objectives were sound, despite criticism.
• The Committee on Legal Affairs considered that the key elements of the proposals were sound, but differed in its opinion on a number of key issues.