2.2 Question Tag Notes

Question Tags
Definition:
Question tags are short questions that are asked at the end of a sentence, usually in
spoken English. The question tags turn a statement into a question. They are
frequently used to verify information that we believe to be correct. We often use
question tags when we expect the listener to agree with our statement.
Example:
You haven't seen this film, have you?
Your sister lives in Spain, doesn't she?
He can't drive, can he?
Characteristics:
Question Tags are made using an auxiliary verb (e.g., am, is, are, have, was, has,
should, could etc.) and a subject pronoun (e.g. you, they, she, it etc.)
A sentence with a question tag takes the form – Statement, question tag?
The punctuation of a sentence with a question is as follows – Capital letter to begin

the sentence, a comma at the end of the statement, followed by the tag question and
a question mark.
Rules of Question Tags in English Grammar
1. The tense of the statement and the question tag must match.
For Example: Gungun is sleeping, isn’t she?
2. Use the contracted version of “helping verb” (e.g. didn’t, hadn’t, won’t etc. ) and
“not” for negative question tags. For Example: Rajesh was eating his lunch, wasn’t
he?
However, There is no contracted form of “am not”. We use aren’t in the question tag.
For Example: I am fine, aren’t I?
I am right, aren’t I?
3. If the statement is positive, the question tag must be negative, and the opposite is
the case.
For Example: He will not do his work, will he?
Rita will surely do her work, won’t she?
4. Pronouns must always be used in question tags.

For Example: Hina and Pratik are playing, aren’t they?
The jury are divided in their opinion, aren’t they?
The audience have taken their seats, haven’t they?
The committee was organizing the programme, wasn’t it?
5. If the sentence starts with let us/ let’s, we use “shall we” in the question.
For Example:
Let us go to the party tonight, shall we?
Let’s meet at the pizza shop, shall we?
6. In Imperative sentences, the question tag “won’t you” is used.

For Example:
Come in, won’t you?
Help me in solving the problem, won’t you?
7. Since each, every, everyone, everyone, no one, nobody, and none are singular
words, they must be accompanied by singular verbs, singular pronouns, and singular
adjectives in the statement; however, the words in their question tag must be in the
plural for both the verb.
For Example:
Everyone has left, haven’t they?
None of your friends like me, do they?
8. “There” will be used for the pronoun in the question tag if the sentence’s first word
is “there.”
For Example:
There is no water, is there?
There were no good schools in the town, were there?
9. Some words are negative in meaning. e.g., hardly, seldom, scarcely, rarely, barely
etc. They will therefore use the affirmative question tag.
For Example:
He hardly ate anything for days, does he?
He found barely anything to do, did he?
He is seldom angry, is he?
10. When the verb in the main sentence is in the present simple we form the question
tag with do / does. If the verb is in the past simple we use did.
You play chess, don't you?
Alia likes painting, doesn't she?
They went to the cinema, didn't they?
She studied in Africa, didn't she?
11. There is no contracted form of “am not”. We use aren’t in the question tag.
I'm never on time, am I?

I'm going to get an email with the details, aren't I?
Rule Example
1. After “let’s”, the tag begins with “shall”. Let’s invite the neighbours over for
dinner on the weekend, shall we?
2. Use “aren’t I” in tags to mean “I am not”. I’m on time, aren’t I? (correct)
3. Use “won’t” for polite request tags. You’ll bring the other things, won’t you?
4. Use “will” or “would” with imperative Wait here until I return, will you?
sentences (commands). Wait here until I return, would you?
5. Use “mustn’t” with the modal “must”. This must be the address, mustn’t it?
6. Two endings are possible when “have” You have enough money, haven’t
is the main verb of the sentence. you? (British English)
You have enough money, don’t
you? (North American English)
7. Use pronouns for people, not proper Paul is a good tennis player, isn’t he?
names, in question tags. Betty has a good job, hasn’t she?
8. Use “it” in a question tag when the This is your pen, isn’t it?
sentence includes the words “this” or
“that”.
9. Use “they” in a question tag when the Those are your sandals, aren’t they?
sentence includes “these” or “those”.
10. Use “there” in a question tag when the There is a lot of work to do today, isn’t
sentences includes “there + a form of be”. there?
11. Use “they” in a question tag when the Everyone is here now, aren’t they?
sentence includes indefinite pronouns Nobody has eaten yet, have they?
(nobody, no one, someone, somebody,
everyone, everybody).
12. Use “didn’t” in a question tag when the You used to go skating very often, didn’t
sentence includes the verb “used to”. you?”

2.2 Question Tag Notes

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2.2 Question Tag Notes

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Question Tags

The punctuation of a sentence with a question is as follows – Capital letter to begin

Rules of Question Tags in English Grammar

4. Pronouns must always be used in question tags.

6. In Imperative sentences, the question tag “won’t you” is used.

I'm never on time, am I?

2. Use “aren’t I” in tags to mean “I am not”. I’m on time, aren’t I? (correct)

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