GRADE 8 English TOURISM:DOMESTIC – GRAMMAR IN USE:SIMPLE PREPOSITIONS Notes
GRAMMAR IN USE: SIMPLE PREPOSITIONS
Topic: Tourism — Domestic (Kenya) · Age: 13
Prepositions are small words that show the relationship between things — for example where, when, or how something happens. Here we learn the common simple prepositions used when talking about travelling inside Kenya (domestic tourism).
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1. Common simple prepositions
in, on, at, to, from, by, with, for, of, about, near, between, among, under, above, behind, in front of, across, along, into, out of, through, past
2. Prepositions of place (Where?)
- in — inside larger places: in Nairobi, in a park, in Kenya. Example: "We went on a safari in Maasai Mara."
- on — surfaces or streets, or islands/ coasts: on the beach, on the road, on Lamu Island. Example: "We walked on Diani beach."
- at — points or specific places: at the airport, at the hotel, at Uhuru Park. Example: "Meet me at Jomo Kenyatta Airport."
- near — close to: near Lake Nakuru. Example: "The campsite is near the river."
- between / among — between two places; among (more than two): "between Nairobi and Nakuru" / "among the villages."
- in front of / behind / under / above — showing exact position: "The bus stopped in front of the market."
3. Prepositions of time (When?)
- at — exact time or holiday point: at 7 am, at Christmas. Example: "The bus leaves at 6:30 am."
- on — days and dates: on Monday, on 12th July. Example: "We travel on Monday."
- in — months, years, seasons, longer periods: in June, in 2024, in the dry season. Example: "We go to the coast in August."
- during / after / before — used for parts of events: "during the tour", "after the trip".
4. Prepositions of movement (Going somewhere)
- to — towards a place: "We are going to Mount Kenya."
- from — the place someone starts: "We came from Mombasa."
- into / out of — entering or leaving: "They got into the jeep." / "They climbed out of the boat."
- through / across / along / past — movement across areas: "We drove across the plateau." / "We walked along the river."
5. Prepositions of manner, agent or instrument
- by — how you travel: by bus, by train, by car, by plane. Example: "We travelled by matatu to Nakuru."
- with — with someone or with a tool: with a guide, with a map. Example: "We climbed the hill with a guide."
- for — reason or purpose: for a holiday, for two nights. Example: "We stayed for three days."
- of / about — belonging / topic: "the beauty of the park", "a story about the safari."
6. Quick rules students often need
- Use in for cities, towns and countries: in Nairobi, in Kenya.
- Use on for streets, surfaces and islands: on Moi Avenue, on the beach, on Manda Island.
- Use at for points or addresses: at the hotel, at the museum, at the bus stop.
- Use to when saying direction or destination: to Kisumu, to the national park.
- Use by to say the mode of travel: by bus, by train, by plane.
Example paragraph (Kenya):
"We left Nairobi at 5:00 am and travelled by bus to Lake Nakuru. We arrived in the park in the afternoon and stayed at a campsite near the lake. The next day we walked along the shore and saw flamingos. Later we drove to Nakuru town and stopped at a small market in front of the station."
7. Practice — choose the correct preposition
- We arrive _____ Nairobi _____ 7 o'clock. (at / on / in)
- The safari jeep stopped _____ the river. (in front of / on / at)
- They travelled _____ Mombasa _____ a matatu. (to / by / from) (by / on / with)
- We stayed _____ two nights _____ the hotel. (for / in / at) (on / at / in)
- She walked _____ the beach _____ Diani. (along / in / to) (at / on / in)
- The guide is talking _____ the animals _____ the park. (about / on / in) (in / on / at)
Answers — click to reveal
- We arrive in Nairobi at 7 o'clock. (In for city, at for exact time)
- The safari jeep stopped in front of the river.
- They travelled to Mombasa by a matatu.
- We stayed for two nights at the hotel.
- She walked along the beach at Diani.
- The guide is talking about the animals in the park.
8. More short activities (Try these)
- Write three sentences about a trip inside Kenya using these prepositions: in, on, at, to, by.
- Find prepositions in your travel questions: "How do you get to school? Where do you stay on holidays?"
Handy tip: If you are not sure, try both prepositions in a sentence and listen or read which sounds natural. Practice with Kenyan place names: Nairobi, Nakuru, Maasai Mara, Mombasa, Diani, Mount Kenya.
Good luck practising! Use these prepositions when you talk or write about trips in Kenya.