What are Question Tags?
Question tags are special structures in English language.
These are very short questions, added at the end of statements or affirmative sentences. Question tags are of positive and negative forms.
These are used to confirm a statement. They are also used to encourage a reply from someone or to give emphasis on a sentence.
Question tags are comprised of auxiliary verb and a subject. (For e.g.- isn’t he?)
Examples :
- He can help, can’t he?
- She is beautiful, isn’t she?
- You can swim, can’t you?
- They are from Spain, aren’t they?
*A comma separates the statement from the question tag.
Points to remember :
- If the statement is in Positive form, then negative Question tags will be used.
Example- He can help, can’t he?
She is beautiful, isn’t she?
We should plant more trees, shouldn’t we?
Sima is present today, isn’t she?
2. If the statement is in Negative form, then positive Question tags will be used.
Example- She can’t speak Arabic, can she?
He can’t drive, can he?
They aren’t coming, are they?
3. When the verb in the statement is in the present simple tense, Question tags are formed with do/does.
Example- She plays piano, doesn’t she?
He understands English, doesn’t he?
You play the guitar, don’t you?
4. If the verb is in the past simple we use,
Example- She washed her car, didn’t she?
Riya studied French for five years, didn’t she?
5. If the main clause verb is I am, then the negative tag form is aren’t I:
Example- Sorry, I’m late again, aren’t I?
6. In the case of imperative sentences, Tag question comprises of will;
Example- Call me at night, will you?
Please wait for me, will you?
Close the door, will you?
