Question TagsQuestion Tags

SIJI.K.MATHEW,INDIASIJI.K.MATHEW,INDIA

A tag question A tag question is a question we can add is a question we can add to the end of a statement. to the end of a statement.

The basic rules for forming the two-word The basic rules for forming the two-word tag questions are as follows:tag questions are as follows:* the subject in the statement matches the * the subject in the statement matches the subject in the tagsubject in the tag* the auxiliary verb or main verb in the * the auxiliary verb or main verb in the statement matches the verb used in the statement matches the verb used in the tagtag* if the statement is positive, the tag is * if the statement is positive, the tag is usually negative and vice versausually negative and vice versa

Compare the following:Compare the following: He will come tomorrow,won’t He will come tomorrow,won’t

he?he? He doesn’t like milk,does he?He doesn’t like milk,does he? John is in your office,isn’t he?John is in your office,isn’t he? Smitha didn’t attend the Smitha didn’t attend the

party,did she?party,did she? Emilin has completed the Emilin has completed the

work,__?work,__? They cannot help him,__?They cannot help him,__?

When present and past simple tenses When present and past simple tenses appear in positive statements, appear in positive statements, normally no auxiliary verb (helping normally no auxiliary verb (helping verb) is used, but we use the verb) is used, but we use the auxiliaries auxiliaries doesdoes, , do do oror did did in the tag. in the tag.

In negative statements in the present In negative statements in the present or past simple, the auxiliariesor past simple, the auxiliaries doesn't, don't doesn't, don't oror didn't didn't are, of are, of course, already present. course, already present. DO,DOES,,&DID

COME HERE!

Compare the following:Compare the following:

You play tennis on You play tennis on Thursdays usually, Thursdays usually,

And Jack plays with you, And Jack plays with you, You didn't play last You didn't play last

Thursday,Thursday, Children like icecream,__?Children like icecream,__? John likes music,__?John likes music,__? He got the letter,__?He got the letter,__?

don't you?don't you?

doesn't he?doesn't he?

did you?did you?

Specific cases[1]Specific cases[1]There are some specific cases we have to take There are some specific cases we have to take

into account when using question tags.These into account when using question tags.These are the following ones:are the following ones:

• *After Let’s,the question tag is *After Let’s,the question tag is shall we?shall we?• Let’s go to a cinema,shall we?Let’s go to a cinema,shall we?• * After an imperative starting with * After an imperative starting with don’tdon’t we we

can use will/would or can/ can’t /could,being can use will/would or can/ can’t /could,being will will the most common one:the most common one:

• Don’t be late,will you?Don’t be late,will you?• For a positive imperative For a positive imperative will/won’t will/won’t can be can be

used.used.• Stop talking,will/won’t you?Stop talking,will/won’t you?

Specific cases[2]Specific cases[2] After After I’mI’m we can use we can use Aren’t I?Aren’t I?

*I’m right,aren’t I?*I’m right,aren’t I?

After After We’d better,weWe’d better,we use use had,had,as it is the as it is the auxiliary of this construction.auxiliary of this construction.

*We’d better take some rest,hadn’t we?*We’d better take some rest,hadn’t we?

Specific cases[3]Specific cases[3]

We use,We use, they they to refer to to refer to somebody,someone,anybody,anyone,everybodysomebody,someone,anybody,anyone,everybody,everyone,nobody,no one:,everyone,nobody,no one:

Everyone admire Mother Theresa,don’t they?Everyone admire Mother Theresa,don’t they? We use, We use, it it after anything, nothing, everything after anything, nothing, everything

and nothing.and nothing. Nothing has been done about itNothing has been done about it,has it?,has it?

Specific cases[4Specific cases[4]]

We use positive question tag after We use positive question tag after never,hardly,little,few,seldom,rarely,snever,hardly,little,few,seldom,rarely,scarcely etc.carcely etc.

He had never met her before,had he?He had never met her before,had he? After there is/was/are/were,After there is/was/are/were,therethere has has

to be in the question tag.to be in the question tag. There is someone in the garden,isn’t There is someone in the garden,isn’t

there?there?

When to use tag When to use tag question?question?

If we use a If we use a falling intonationfalling intonation in the tag. we are simply seeking in the tag. we are simply seeking agreement.agreement.

It's been a lovely day today,It's been a lovely day today, hasn't it hasn't it? ? ~ Yes~ Yes, it has. Gorgeous., it has. Gorgeous. IfIf we use a we use a rising intonationrising intonation ,we don’t know or we are not sure ,we don’t know or we are not sure

of the answer.of the answer. His brother is innocent, isn'tHis brother is innocent, isn't he? he?

didn't shedidn't she? ? ~ Yes, she did. Absolutely stunning.~ Yes, she did. Absolutely stunning. It's a shame the day is over, It's a shame the day is over, isn't itisn't it? ? ~ Yes, it is.~ Yes, it is.

Add tagsAdd tags 1.They are ready to start the game,____ ?1.They are ready to start the game,____ ? 2. She will come tomorrow,____ ?2. She will come tomorrow,____ ? 3.David obeyed his parents,____ ?3.David obeyed his parents,____ ? 4.Let’s go for an outing,_____ ?4.Let’s go for an outing,_____ ? 5.Don’t stare at others,_____ ?5.Don’t stare at others,_____ ? 6.I’m late,_____ ?6.I’m late,_____ ? 7.Nobody found him,_____ ?7.Nobody found him,_____ ? 8.Something is wrong,____ ?8.Something is wrong,____ ? 9.I have seldom seen such brutality,______ ?9.I have seldom seen such brutality,______ ? 10.Help others whenever you can,________ ?10.Help others whenever you can,________ ?