+217.+ You remember when we studied verbs, we had the incomplete verb
that took an object; the complete verb that needed no object, since it
was complete in itself; and one other kind of a verb. Do you remember
this third kind of verb? This third kind is the copulative verb, and the
copulative verb which we use most frequently is the one in the use of
which we make the most mistakes.
It is that troublesome, bothersome, little verb _be_, which is so
difficult to master. You remember it is an incomplete verb, but instead
of taking an object, it takes a complement or completing word. So when
you see a pronoun with any form of this verb _be_, you must use the
_subject_ form and not the _object_ form. This copulative verb _be_ is
simply a connecting word, not a verb that asserts action or takes an
object.
+218.+ Here is where we make so many mistakes. We say, _It was me_, _It
was them_, _It was him_, _It wasn't her_; instead of, _It was I_, _It
was they_, _It was he_, _It wasn't she_. We have used the incorrect form
in this particular so often that the correct form has a strange sound to
our ears.
The only way to remedy this is to repeat over and over aloud the correct
form until it has a familiar sound. Don't think this is putting words,
as you should do in everything. We of the working class have built the
world in its beauty. Why should we live in shacks, dress in shoddy, talk
in slang? There is no reason except that we endure it. When the united
working class demands its own, it will receive it. Demand yours and
arouse the stupid from their sleep as rapidly as you can.
Repeat the following sentences aloud ten times every day this week and
see if the correct form does not come to your lips more readily. We can
learn the rule, but only continued practice and watchfulness can break
us of our old habits.
It is I who seek my own.
It shall be they who are defeated.
It was I who was ignorant.
It is they who cause all wars.
It is he who must be aroused.
It is we who strive for freedom.
It shall be I who shall win.
It was she who was enslaved.
It shall be we who shall demand equality.
It shall be they who shall conquer.