QUESTION TAG
A question phrase added to a statement is called "Question Tag". We often use question tag when we expect the listener to agree with our statement. Mostly we use it in speaking than in writing. It's a very easy part of English grammar.
Example: She is telling the truth, isn't she?
RULES:
*At the end of the main clause use comma (, ) Example: She is telling the truth, isn't she?
*After the comma, if the statement is positive, we should use a negative question tag. Example: She is telling the truth, isn't she?
*If the statement is negative, we should use a positive question tag. Example: She is not telling the truth, is she?
* If the statement contains never, rarely, hardly, bravely, scarcely then we should use a positive question tag. Even though it looks like a positive word, its meaning gives a negative feeling. Example: He hardly comes to the office, does he? Here the word hardly gives a negative meaning, so we use the positive form of the verb.
*If there is no auxiliary verb and modern verb, we should see the tense form in the statement. We should check whether it is in the present tense or past tense. If it is in the present tense, we use do/does or if it is in past tense we should use did. Example: He hardly comes to the office, does he? Here the word denotes the present tense so we use "does" in this statement.
*If the statement contains "Order" format then we use the verb "won't". Example: Shut the door, won't you?
*The subject of the question tag is in Pronoun form. Example: Emily is telling the truth, isn't she? Here the subject "Emily" changes into pronoun format ( she ).
*End of the statement use question mark. Example: She is telling the truth, isn't she?
*If our statement is correct then we say the statement with a falling intonation.
*If our statement is less sure then we say the statement with a raising intonation.
Positive statement | Negative tag |
are | aren’t |
is | isn’t |
was | wasn’t |
were | weren’t |
have | haven’t |
had | hadn’t |
will | won’t |
can | can’t |
could | couldn’t |
must | mustn’t |
should | shouldn’t |
would | wouldn’t |
Positive statement | Negative tag |
speak | don’t |
speaks ( present tense ) | doesn’t |
spoken ( past tense ) | didn’t you |
am | aren’t |
let’s | shall |
SOME MORE EXAMPLES
- She is a doctor, isn't she?
- We should go to the school, shouldn't we?
- You are Peter, aren't you?
- He went to the party last night, didn't he?
- He had forgotten his gift, hadn't he?
- She will come at ten, won't she?
- She can help, can't she?
- Take a seat, won't you?
- Snow is white, isn't it?
- You don't like me, do you?
Click below to test your level in the Question tag
