Tag Questions

Tag Questions

Questions are used to ask about something. We have different types of questions like Wh-questions, tag questions, etc.

What are Tag Questions?

Tag questions or question tags are mini questions that we use to ask for confirmation. By using tag questions, we confirm the information that we think is true.

• It is raining, isn’t it?

In this example, the speaker thinks the information (it is raining) is true. He uses the tag question to confirm his information.

Structure of Tag Questions

Positive Statements with Negative Tags

In this structure, we have a positive statement and a negative tag. The negative tag is used to confirm the information we have in the positive statement.

• Ali likes football, doesn’t he?

The positive statement can be of any tense. In the negative tag, we use an auxiliary related to the tense of the positive statement, not, and a pronoun according to the subject of the positive statement.

Positive statement + Comma + Auxiliary + Not + Pronoun

• She has passed the test, hasn’t she?
• They worked hard for the test, didn’t they?
• You play well, don’t you?
• I am joking, aren’t I?

Remember that we almost use short forms in negative tags. The full negative form is used rarely which is grammatically correct but very unusual.

Negative Statements with Positive Tags

In this structure, we have a negative statement that we want to confirm. For its confirmation, a positive tag is used after the negative statement.

• She is not your friend, is she?

All of the tenses can be used in the negative statement. In the tag, we use an auxiliary related to the tense used in the negative statement and a pronoun according to the subject of the negative statement.

• She has not passed the test, has she?
• They didn’t work hard for the test, did they?
• You don’t play well, do you?
• I am not joking, am I?

For Request

A polite way to request help or information is to use a negative statement with a positive tag.

• You couldn’t give me some money, could you?

Negative Adverbs

Some adverbs like never, rarely, hardly ever, seldom, and scarcely are of negative sense. Statements having these adverbs are considered negative statements, so we use positive tags with these statements.

• She never forgets things, does she?

Nothing, nobody, etc are also used in the same way. For indefinite pronouns like nothing, nobody, etc, we use “They” in tags.

• Nobody called me, did they?

Imperative Tags

You can use tag questions after imperative sentences. Will, won’t, can, can’t, would, and could are used as tag verbs with imperatives.

• Open the window, will you?
• Don’t open the window, will you?

Only will is used with negative imperatives.

• Come here, can you?
• Come here, can’t you?
• Pass me the salt, would you?

Won’t is used for invitations.

• Have a seat, won’t you?

Shall is used with an imperative with let’s.

• Let’s swim in the pool, shall we?

Same-way Tags

Sometimes, we can use positive statements with positive tags and negative statements with negative tags. This is possible to express interest, anger, surprise, etc.

• You intend to marry him, do you?
• You don’t like my style, don’t you?

When has/have to is used in a statement, we use don’t in the tag question.

• They have to study for their test, don’t they?

In some sentences, we have auxiliary verbs made of more than one word. Then, we use just the first word in its tag.

• We have been waiting for you here for two hours, haven’t we?

Universal Tags

Yeah/right is used in very informal situations in tag questions. It means the words (yeah/right) replace tags.

• She is not attending the party, right?

Answering Tag Questions

Tag questions are often answered by saying yes/no. Sometimes, the subject and auxiliary of the tag question are also used. The structure becomes:

Yes + Subject + Auxiliary

No + Subject + Auxiliary + Not

• They invited us to the party, didn’t they?
• Yes, they did.
• We called him later, didn’t we?
• No, we did not.

A tag question is answered according to the reality of the situation.

• The North Pole is cold, isn’t it?
• Yes, it is.
• The North Pole is not cold, is it?
• Yes, it is.
• The North Pole is hot, isn’t it?
• No, it is not.
• The North Pole is not hot, is it?
• No, it is not.

Intonation in Tag Questions

Rising Intonation

A speaker uses rising intonation at the end of a tag question when the speaker is not sure of the answer. Rising intonation means the pitch of your voice that goes up at the end of the tag question.

Falling Intonation

A speaker uses falling intonation at the end of a tag question when the speaker is almost sure of the answer. Falling intonation means the pitch of your voice that goes down at the end of the tag question.