Toomas Runtal

Form 11

2013

Tag-QuestionsTag-Questions

• A ‘tag-question’ or ‘question tag’ is A ‘tag-question’ or ‘question tag’ is notnot a true a true

question. question.

A tag question is used at the end of a A tag question is used at the end of a Statement Sentence to get the confirmation Statement Sentence to get the confirmation from the listener, or just to express one’s from the listener, or just to express one’s doubt. doubt.

A question sentence, on the contrary, is used A question sentence, on the contrary, is used to get the answer. to get the answer.

Tag-QuestionsTag-Questions

You You are are my student. Statement Sentence my student. Statement Sentence positivepositive

You are You are notnot my student. Statement my student. Statement negativenegative

AreAre you my student? Question (interrogative) you my student? Question (interrogative)

You are my student, You are my student, aren’t youaren’t you? Tag-question? Tag-question

Tag-QuestionsTag-Questions

Whose books are these? – a true questionWhose books are these? – a true question

These are your books, These are your books, aren’t theyaren’t they? ?

-Tag-question – Positive-Tag-question – Positive

These are not your books, These are not your books, are theyare they? ?

- Tag-question -- Negative- Tag-question -- Negative

Tag-QuestionsMaking a tag-question sentence:

She is your friend

,isn’t she

?

A positive tag-question sentence!

Tag-QuestionsTag-Questions

There are There are fourfour simple points we should follow simple points we should follow when we use a Tag-question: when we use a Tag-question:

Point 1Point 1 A comma is used between the main sentence A comma is used between the main sentence

and the ‘tag’ part, e.g.and the ‘tag’ part, e.g. This is your book isn’t it?This is your book isn’t it?

Tag-QuestionsTag-Questions

►Point 2Point 2::

►Even if the subject of the main sentence is a Even if the subject of the main sentence is a noun – proper noun or common noun – thenoun – proper noun or common noun – the

subject of the ‘tag’ part is always a subject of the ‘tag’ part is always a corresponding PERSONAL PRONOUN. e.g.corresponding PERSONAL PRONOUN. e.g.

MaryMary isn’t your sister, is isn’t your sister, is sheshe??

Tag-QuestionTag-Question

Point 2Point 2 (continued) (continued)

Ted and JerryTed and Jerry got their books, didn’t ? got their books, didn’t ?‘‘Ted and Jerry’ – Proper nouns – male – pluralTed and Jerry’ – Proper nouns – male – plural

theythey

Personal Pronoun – male -- pluralPersonal Pronoun – male -- plural

Tag-QuestionsTag-Questions

Point 3Point 3

The verb in the ‘tag’ part depends on the verb in the The verb in the ‘tag’ part depends on the verb in the main sentence: main sentence:

If the verb in the main sentence is in Present Tense, If the verb in the main sentence is in Present Tense, the verb in the ‘tag’ part will be in Present Tense; and the verb in the ‘tag’ part will be in Present Tense; and the verb in the main sentence is in Past Tense, the the verb in the main sentence is in Past Tense, the verb in the ‘tag’ part will be in Past, and so on.verb in the ‘tag’ part will be in Past, and so on.

If the verb in the main sentence is in If the verb in the main sentence is in PositivePositive form, form, the verb in the ‘tag’ part will be in the verb in the ‘tag’ part will be in NegativeNegative form. form.

Tag-QuestionsTag-Questions

Point 3Point 3 (continued) (continued)

Brad Brad hasn’t hasn’t done his work, he?done his work, he?

‘‘hasn’t’ – Present perfect – hasn’t’ – Present perfect – NEGATIVENEGATIVE

hashas

Present perfect -- Present perfect -- POSITIVEPOSITIVE

Tag-questionsTag-questions

• Point Point 44 -- Word order -- Word order

• In the statement sentence (in the main In the statement sentence (in the main sentence) the subject comes first and the verb sentence) the subject comes first and the verb comes next; but in the ‘tag’ part, the verb comes next; but in the ‘tag’ part, the verb comes first and the subject comes next, just as comes first and the subject comes next, just as in the interrogative sentence.in the interrogative sentence.

Tag-QuestionTag-Question

Point Point 44 – word order (continued) – word order (continued)

For example:For example:

A woman fainted, didn’t she?A woman fainted, didn’t she?

Main sentenceMain sentence

‘‘tag’ parttag’ partSubject first; verb nextSubject first; verb next

Verb first; subject nextVerb first; subject next

Mr McGuinness is from Ireland,Mr McGuinness is from Ireland, ? ? The car isn't in the garage,The car isn't in the garage, ? ? You are John,You are John, ? ? She went to the library yesterday,She went to the library yesterday, ? ? He didn't recognize me,He didn't recognize me, ? ? Cars pollute the environment, Cars pollute the environment, ? ? Mr. Pritchard has been to Scotland recently,Mr. Pritchard has been to Scotland recently, ? ? The trip is very expensive,The trip is very expensive, ? ? He won't tell her,He won't tell her, ? ? Hugh had a red car,Hugh had a red car, ? ?

ExercisesExercises

KeyKey

Mr McGuinness is from Ireland, Mr McGuinness is from Ireland, isn't he isn't he ? ? The car isn't in the garage, is it ? The car isn't in the garage, is it ? You are John, aren't you ? You are John, aren't you ? She went to the library yesterday, didn't she ? She went to the library yesterday, didn't she ? He didn't recognize me, did he ? He didn't recognize me, did he ? Cars pollute the environment, don't they ? Cars pollute the environment, don't they ? Mr. Pritchard has been to Scotland recently, hasn't he ? Mr. Pritchard has been to Scotland recently, hasn't he ? The trip is very expensive, isn't it ? The trip is very expensive, isn't it ? He won't tell her, will he ? He won't tell her, will he ? Hugh had a red car, Hugh had a red car, didn't he ? ?

Referenceshttp://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/grammar/qu_tags.htmhttp://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/question-

tags

Thank you for your attentionThank you for your attention