Off, from, out of

Question

Hello, teachers!

Would you please tell me if these are correct? I think they are both/all correct, but it's idiomatic to use 'off'. Am I right?

1. Please keep children [off, from] sculptures!
2. Please keep [off, from, out of] the grass.

Thank you very much.
Peace!

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

Please keep children away from (the) statues / sculpture(s). (A sign?)
Please keep off the grass.

Keeping off the sculpture is also a rule the children should observe, of course!

Being ON the sculpture would be something like lying on it, crawling about on it. That may be what you want to convey, but by keeping the children away you avoid that entirely.

Being ON the grass would be walking on it, lying on it, playing on it. It's being in contact with a surface.

Keeping (away) from the grass suggests it is perhaps dangerous to be near it.
Keeping out of the grass suggests it has grown so tall that one must traverse it by penetrating into it as into a jungle.

Jandi · Answer

Always, an answer more than expected makes me happy!

Thank you for your pleasant, surprising answers.

Enjoy the smell of the woods!

Off, from, out of

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