Answering Question Tags

How do you answer the question tag? Beforehand, we must be able to distinguish whether the
short question requires an answer. If the question tag uses a flat (flat) or a falling intonation,
the short question is more of a statement so it only asks for confirmation.

But if the question tag is pronounced with a rising intonation, then the short question really
needs an answer or asks for approval.

The answer to question tags is the same as yes-no question (questions that require a yes or no
answer). Normally positive tags expect negative answers, while negative tags expect positive
answers. However, we need to focus on the facts so that the answers do not always follow the
type of question.

Example Answering Question Tag (checking information):

1 You haven’t finished your homework, have you? No, I haven’t.

(Kamu belum menyelesaikan PR kan? Belum)

2 She will come on time, won’t she? Yes, she will.

(Dia akan datang tepat waktu kan? Ya)

3 I talked in my sleep, didn’t I? Yes, you did.

(Saya mengigau? Ya)

4 (a) Stars are cold, aren’t they? No, they aren’t.

(b) Stars aren’t cold, are they? No, they aren’t.
(c) Stars are hot, aren’t they? Yes, they are.
(d) Stars aren’t hot, are they? Yes, they are.

Note:

(a) the answer is the same as (b) because it focuses on the same fact that the star is not cold,
so it does not necessarily use a positive answer; Likewise (d) the answer is the same as (c)
because it focuses on the fact that the star is hot, so it does not automatically use a negative
answer.

Example Answering Question Tag (seeking agreement):

1 It’s a beautiful day, isn’t it? Yes, it is.

(Hari yang indah kan? Ya)

2 The party was very nice, wasn’t it? Yes, it was.

 (Pesta tadi sangat menyenangkan kan? Ya)

3 She’d look great without make up, wouldn’t she? Yes, she would.
(Dia akan kelihatan hebat tanpa make up kan? Ya)