English for Today by Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (Dr GAB)
IN THE MARKET or ON THE MARKET?
My textbook titled “Aspects of Language and Communication” is ~in~ the market (nonstandard).
My textbook titled “Aspects of Language and Communication” is *on* the market (standard).
My textbook titled “Aspects of Language and Communication” has come *onto* the market (standard).
If something is on the market, it is available for people to buy. This is also expressed as “coming onto the market”.
My uncle is ~on~ the market for a new car (nonstandard).
My uncle is *in* the market for a new car (standard).
If you are in the market for something, you are interested in buying it. The phrase does not necessarily mean to be physically present in any market although it can also mean to be in/at a market physically:
I left Kunle *in* the market this afternoon (standard).
GAB
