21h. Subject, not subject complement

21hMake the verb agree with its subject, not with a subject complement.

One basic sentence pattern in English consists of a subject, a linking verb, and a subject complement: Jack is a lawyer. Because the subject complement (lawyer) names or describes the subject (Jack), it is sometimes mistaken for the subject. (See 47b on subject complements.)

image

image

Tent and bag is the subject, not equipment.

image

Force is the subject, not children. If the corrected version seems too awkward, make children the subject: Children are a major force in today’s economy—as consumers, decision makers, and trend spotters.