English for Today by Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (Dr GAB)
WRONG USE OF PREPOSITIONS
You have to be ~at~ alert to grab the opportunity (nonstandard).
You have to be on the alert to grab the opportunity (standard).
If you are on the alert for something, you are ready to deal with it if it happens.
Don’t sit ~under~ the sun (nonstandard).
Don’t sit in the sun (standard). This also applies to “in the rain” and “in the shade”.
He was playing under the rain. ✖️
He was playing in the rain. ✔️
You have to wash your hands ~off~ the matter (nonstandard).
You have to wash your hands of the matter (standard).
GAB
