Using Tag Questions

Aji Nugroho,
 What is a tag question?
A tag question is a sentence with a
question phrase connected at the end.

Example:
It’s windy today, isn’t it?

Sentence part Tag

 Tag questions have two purposes:

1. To clarify information
(the speaker expects an answer)

Example:

We have a test tomorrow, don’t we?

Mr. Smith is coming to the meeting, isn’t he?
I’m permitted to park here, aren’t I?
 Tag questions have two purposes:

2. To agree with someone

(the speaker does not expect an answer)

Example:

You’re falling asleep, aren’t you?

The party was a lot of fun, wasn’t it?
I didn’t win the lottery, did I?
 Forming Tag Questions
(6 easy steps)

Step 1:
Identify the verb in the sentence.

Sergio likes to eat at buffets, ______ ______?

verb
 Forming Tag Questions
(6 easy steps)
Step 2:
Identify the type of verb.
(Is it the verb “to be”, an auxiliary verb, or the main
verb?)

Sergio likes to eat at buffets, ______ ______?

Main verb
 Forming Tag Questions
(6 easy steps)
Step 3:
Identify the tense of verb.
(Is it in present or past tense?)

Sergio likes to eat at buffets, ______ ______?

Present tense
 Forming Tag Questions
(6 easy steps)

Step 4: If in present tense, determine if 1st

or 3rd person. If in past tense, use
auxiliary “to be” or “do” in past.

does_ ______?
Sergio likes to eat at buffets , _

Third person
Use the auxiliary verb “does”.
 Forming Tag Questions
(6 easy steps)
Step 5:
Is the verb affirmative or negative?

Sergio likes to eat at buffets, doesn’t

__________?

Affirmative
Write in the opposite.
 Forming Tag Questions
(6 easy steps)
Step 6:
Add the pronoun at the end.

Sergio likes to eat at buffets, doesn’t he ?

Noun
 Overview
Step 1: Identify the verb in the sentence.
Step 2: Identify the type of verb.
Step 3: Identify the tense.
Step 4: If in present tense, determine if 1st
or 3rd person. If in past tense, use auxiliary
“to be” or “do” in past.
Step 5: Affirmative or negative?
Step 6: Add pronoun.
 Let’s Practice
Lunch was delicious, wasn’t it ?

isn’t it
Spring break is next week, _________?

didn’t it
Class finished quickly, _________?
1. You’ve called the movers, a. can we?
2. They’re coming tomorrow, b. do we?
3. This isn’t going to be cheap, c. is he?
4. You haven’t finished packing, d. isn’t it?
5. We don’t need any more boxes, e. aren’t they?
6. Pablo is going to help us, f. have you?
7. We can put some things in g. isn’t he?
storage,
h. is it?
8. Jack isn’t buying our bookcases, i. haven’t you?
9. We need to disconnect the phone, j. don’t we?
10. The movers aren’t packing the k. can’t we?
books for us,
l. are they?
11. We can’t turn off the electricity yet,
12. Moving is hard,