GRADE 9 English TOURIST ATTRACTION SITES:WORLD – WRITING:EMAILS Notes
WRITING: EMAILS
Topic: TOURIST ATTRACTION SITES: WORLD — Subject: English (Grammar focus) — Age: 14 (Kenya)
Why grammar matters in emails
Good grammar makes your message clear and polite. Below are the main grammar points you need when writing emails about tourist sites (visits, requests, descriptions, invitations).
Main parts of an email (and grammar to use)
- Subject line — short and clear. Use present simple or "Request to..." e.g. Subject: Request for school visit to Nairobi National Park.
- Greeting — formal: Dear Sir/Madam, or Dear Mr. Otieno,. Informal: Hi Jane,.
- Opening line — say reason. Use present simple or present continuous for plans: I am writing to ask about ... or We are planning a trip to Maasai Mara in July.
- Body — use clear paragraphs: facts (present simple), past experiences (past simple), and present perfect for life experiences or recent actions.
- Request / Invitation — polite modals: could, would, please.
- Closing — short summary and sign-off: Yours faithfully, (formal) or Best regards, (semi-formal).
Important grammar points with examples
1. Tenses — when to use which
- Present simple — facts and schedules: The museum opens at 9:00 AM.
- Past simple — finished past actions: We visited the Great Wall last year.
- Present perfect — experiences or recent changes: I have seen the Maasai Mara during the wet season.
- Present continuous — definite plans/arrangements: We are visiting the museum next Tuesday.
2. Polite requests and questions
Use modal verbs for politeness: could, would, can (less formal), and please.
- Request: Could you send information about school tours to Mount Kenya?
- Permission: May we bring 30 pupils to the park?
- Questions: Use question forms—Do you offer guided tours?
3. Linking words (cohesion)
To sequence or connect ideas, use:
- First, Second, Finally — sequence events.
- Because, so, therefore — give reasons: We need a bus because the school is far.
- Also, however, although — add contrast or extra info.
4. Articles, countable/uncountable, and quantifiers
- Use a/an with a single countable item: a museum, an island.
- The for specific places: the Maasai Mara, the Eiffel Tower.
- Quantifiers: many (countable), much (uncountable), several, a few, a lot of.
5. Prepositions of place and movement
- in for countries, cities, larger areas: in Kenya, in Mombasa.
- at for specific points: at the entrance, at the park.
- on for islands/streets or surfaces: on Lamu Island, on the main road.
- to for movement: go to the museum.
6. Passive voice (useful for descriptions)
Use passive to focus on the place or action, not who did it:
- The park is visited by many tourists every year.
- Formal notice: Guided tours are provided daily.
7. Relative clauses (to add extra info)
Use who/which/that to join ideas:
- The museum, which opens at 9 AM, is near the hotel.
- Visitors who come in June enjoy the wildlife.
Useful phrases for emails about tourist sites
- Asking for information: Could you provide details about school rates?
- Making arrangements: We would like to book a guided tour for 25 students.
- Describing a visit: I visited Mount Kenya last year and saw beautiful views.
- Thanking: Thank you for your help. I appreciate your quick response.
Sample emails (with grammar notes)
Formal email — to a park office (request)
Subject: Request for school visit to Nairobi National Park
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to request information about guided school visits to Nairobi National Park. We are planning a trip for 30 Form 2 pupils on 12 June. Could you please tell us the cost per pupil and whether guides are available?
Thank you for your assistance. I look forward to your reply.
Yours faithfully,
Naomi Kamau
Globe High School
Grammar notes: use present continuous for plans (We are planning), polite modal Could you, and clear subject line.
Informal email — to a friend (describing a visit)
Subject: My trip to Maasai Mara
Hi Peter,
I visited Maasai Mara last weekend. We saw many animals — lions, zebras and elephants. I have never seen so many wildebeest before!
Would you like to go next school holiday? It would be a great trip.
Cheers,
Asha
Grammar notes: past simple for finished actions (I visited), present perfect to show life experience (I have never seen), polite invitation with Would you like.
Short proofreading checklist
- Is the subject line clear?
- Have you used the correct tense for the purpose (plan, past visit, general fact)?
- Are requests polite (could/would/please)?
- Check articles (a/an/the) and prepositions (in, at, to).
- Use linking words to connect ideas.
- Sign off appropriately (formal vs informal).
Quick practice tasks (try these)
- Write a short formal email asking about group discounts for students visiting Mount Kenya (use present continuous for the plan).
- Write an informal email to a friend describing a recent visit to the coast — use past simple and present perfect.
- Rewrite this sentence to be more polite: "Send the prices." (use could/please).
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