Question Tags in English Grammar

Question tags

Sometimes if we want to check information, we use a question tag at the end of a statement. If the statement is positive the tag is negative. If the statement is negative the tag is positive. Drill them with a partner or print them and do them as a quiz practise these question tags

Question tagsare the short questions that we put at the end of sentences, especially in spoken English.

  1. You're coming, aren't you?
  2. He's not serious, is he?

Responding to Question tags

Imagine you are on holiday and someone says to you:
You're on holiday, aren't you? What is your reply?
You could just say "Yes". but this often sounds unfriendly so we usually answer with Yes/no + auxiliary verb. Yes (+ve), I am (+ve) .

When responding to the question tag sentences, the first part of the question (not the tag) is the part that you answer. So:
If we agree with the statement we answer "Yes, + subject + auxiliary" Yes, I do and if we don't agree we answer "No, + subject + (-ve)auxiliary" No, I don't

Form

If the main part of the sentence is affirmative, then the question tag is negative:

  • It's warm, isn't it?
  • They went there too, didn't they?

If the main part of the sentence is negative, then the question tag is affirmative:

  • She couldn't see it, could she?
  • We won't know till tomorrow, will we?

Conversation practice

  • A ask B a question.
  • B answers the question
  • pause for a second
  • A asks B the checking question for this question
  • B answers the checking question

Example

  1. A What is your name?
  2. B My name is John.

    later after more questions...

  3. A So, you're name is John, isn't it?
  4. B Yes, it is.

Auxiliary verbs in question tags

If the main part of the sentence contains an auxiliary verb (or the verb "to be", then this is used in the question tag:

  1. They are away for a few days, aren't they
  2. You weren't available, were you?
  3. She's Mexican, isn't she?
  4. It wasn't his turn, was it?
  5. You've got a cat, haven't you?
  6. He's got a new house, hasn't he?
  7. We can't go in there, can we?
  8. They couldn't hear me, could they?

Auxillary verb to use in the tag

If the main part of the sentences does not contain an auxiliary verb, then we use the verb "to do" in the question tag:

  • She needs some help, doesn't she?
  • He loved his work, didn't he?
  • You come here often, don't you?

Intonation

Depending on what we wish to say, the intonation of a question tag is different. If we are asking a real question (in other words, if we don't know the answer), then our voice rises on the question tag:

  1. That's spelt with two n's, isn't it?

On the other hand, if we are sure of the answer and are only asking for agreement, our voice falls on the question tag:

  1. It's your turn next, isn't it?