TAG QUESTIONS

WHAT IS A TAG QUESTION? | HOW ARE THEY FORMED? | WHY DO WE USE

THEM?

WHAT IS A TAG QUESTION?

A tag question is a short question added to the end of a positive or negative statement.
For example:-

He is,
He does,
He will,
He can,

isn't he?
doesn't he?
won't he?
can't he?

HOW DO YOU FORM A TAG QUESTION?

Normally a positive statement is followed by a negative tag, and a negative statement is followed by
a positive tag.
For example:-

You're English, aren't you?

You're
not German,

are you?

!
!

The statement and the tag are always separated by a comma.

Treat any statements with nothing, nobody etc like negative statements.

The verb in the statement should be the same tense as the verb in the tag.
For example:-

Present tense
You are a good singer,
Past tense
You didn't go to work
yesterday,

| present tense
aren't you?
| past tense
did you?

| present
perfect
tense
You have been to London,
haven't you?

Present perfect tense

If the verb used in the statement is an auxiliary verb, then the verb used in the tag must match it. If a
modal (can, could, will, should, etc.) is used in the statement, then the same modal is used in the tag
part. If the statement doesn't use an auxilliary verb, then the auxiliary do is used in the tag part.
For example:-

Auxiliary verb
She is from England,
They aren't very nice,
She doesn't like it
here,
Modal verb
You can sing,
They shouldn't do
that,
No auxiliary
He eats meat,
He had a bath,
Nothing happened,

!Note
isn't she?
are they?
does she?
can't you?
should they?
doesn't he?
didn't he?
did it?

(He does eat meat...)

(He did have a bath...)
(Nothing did happen...)

WHY DO WE USE TAG QUESTIONS?

A good question. Why can't we just ask a normal question? The answer is you can, but you can use
tag questions to verify or check information that you think is true, or to check information that you
aren't sure about.
I'm sorry to say that sometimes we just use them for effect, when we are trying to be sarcastic, or to
make a strong point. So be sure to use them with care.
We show the meaning of the tag question through intonation.
If the tag is a real question it has a rising intonation.
For example:The chairman's coming at 3.00, is

n't he?

If the tag is not a real question it has a flat or falling intonation.

For example:It's a nice day today,

isn't it?

It is possible for a positive statement to be followed by a positive tag for even more effect

(sarcasm, anger, disbelief, shock, concern etc.).

For example:Oh you will, will you?
You think you're funny, do you?