English for Today by Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (Dr GAB)
THE GRAMMAR OF INTERVENTION
The government cannot disallow a peaceful protest, but can ~frown at~ acts of vandalism (nonstandard).
The government cannot disallow a peaceful protest but can *frown upon/on* acts of vandalism (standard).
While you can frown at a person, you frown on/upon an act when you disapprove of it.
One wonders if the ~elites~ are prepared to protest beyond their keypads (nonstandard).
One wonders if the *elite* are prepared to protest beyond their keypads (standard).
The richest, most powerful, best-educated, or best-trained group in a society are the elite.
Protesters should beware of ~touts~ who simply want to loot (nonstandard).
Protesters should beware of *louts* who simply want to loot (standard).
A lout is someone who behaves in a very rude, offensive, and sometimes violent way, while a tout is someone who sells things such as tickets unofficially, usually at prices which are higher than the official ones.
GAB
