Question tags are small questions added at the end of a statement to turn it into a question. They help confirm information or seek agreement from the listener. For example, the statement “you don’t eat meat” becomes “you don’t eat meat, do you?” by adding a question tag.
In this article, you will explore what question tags are, the rules for forming them, exceptions in creating them, and their intonation. By understanding these aspects, you will become more confident in using question tags in everyday conversation.
What Are Question Tags?
Question tags are short phrases added to the end of statements. They turn a statement into a question and invite confirmation.
For example, if you say, “You’re coming to the party, aren’t you?“ the phrase “aren’t you?” is the question tag. It asks for agreement or confirmation.
You use question tags in conversation to:
- Confirm information
- Invite responses
- Check understanding
Rules for Forming Tag Questions
To create tag questions, follow these steps:
- The subject in the statement must match the subject in the tag.
- Match the auxiliary verb or verb to be in the statement with the verb in the tag.
- If the statement is positive, the tag should be negative, and if the statement is negative, the tag should be positive.
Examples:
- He’s read this book, hasn’t he?
- He read this book, didn’t he?
- He’s reading this book, isn’t he?
- He reads a lot of books, doesn’t he?
- He’ll read this book, won’t he?
- He should read this book, shouldn’t he?
- He can read this book, can’t he?
- He’d read this book, wouldn’t he?
Exceptions in Forming Question Tags
Statements with Negative Adverbs
Negative adverbs such as never, seldom, hardly, and rarely require a positive question tag.
Examples:
- We have never seen that, have we?
Statements Begin with I’m
When starting a statement with I’m, use the verb form aren’t I.
Example:
- I’m intelligent, aren’t I?
Statements Begin with Let’s
For sentences beginning with Let’s, use shall we as the question tag.
Examples:
- Let’s take the next bus, shall we?
- Let’s go home, shall we?
With Imperatives
Imperatives, like invitations and orders, use specific question tags.
- For invitations: won’t you?
- For orders: can you?, can’t you?, will you?, would you?
Examples:
- Open the window, will you? (order)
- Take a seat, won’t you? (invitation)
With There… Structure
When the sentence uses the there… structure, reflect there in the question tag.
Examples:
- There’s nothing wrong, is there?
- There weren’t any problems when you talked to Jack, were there?
Statements with Nobody/No one, Somebody/Someone, Everybody/Everyone as the Subject
Use the pronoun they in question tags for these subjects.
Example:
- Somebody wanted to borrow Jack’s bike, didn’t they?
Statements with Nothing/Something/Everything as the Subject
Use it in the question tag when the subject is nothing, something, or everything.
Example:
- Something happened at Jack’s house, didn’t it?
Statements with This
When the subject is this, use it in the tag question.
Example:
- This will work, won’t it?
Note:
You can also use affirmative tag questions after affirmative sentences to express emotions such as surprise or interest.
Example:
- You’re moving to London, are you?
Question Tag Intonation
We use falling intonation on question tags when we are checking information and expect the listener to agree.
Example:
- It’s a lovely day, isn’t it?
We use rising intonation for a real question when unsure if the statement is true or when asking for information or making requests.
Example:
- You couldn’t do me a favor, could you?
