Frequently Asked Questions About Question Tags
Q: What are question tags?
A: 'Question tags' (or 'tag questions') are small questions often found at the end of sentences in speech, and sometimes in informal writing.
- The film wasn’t very good, was it?
Negatives are usually contracted, though full forms are used in formal speech.
- That’s the doorbell, isn’t it?
- You take sugar in tea, don’t you?
- They promised to repay us within six months, did they not? (formal)
Question tags can be used to verify information or request agreement.
Q: How are negatives used after affirmative sentences and vice versa?
A: Question tags appear after affirmative and negative sentences, but not after direct questions.
- You’re the new secretary, aren’t you?
- You’re not the new secretary, are you?
To confirm details or seek agreement, negative tags follow affirmative sentences, and vice versa.
- It’s not warm, is it?
Q: How are auxiliaries used with question tags?
A: If the main sentence contains an auxiliary verb (or a non-auxiliary be), it is repeated in the question tag.
- Sophia can speak French, can’t she?
- The meeting’s at ten, isn’t it?
- You didn’t speak to Luke, did you?
- You wouldn’t like a puppy, would you?
If the main sentence lacks an auxiliary, the tag uses do.
- You like oysters, don’t you?
- Harry gave you my address, didn’t he?
Q: How are non-negative tags used after sentences with negative words?
A: Non-negative tags are applied after sentences containing negative words like never, no, nobody, hardly, scarcely, and little.
- You never say what you’re thinking, do you?
- It’s no good, is it?
- It’s hardly rained at all this summer, has it?
- There’s little we can do about it, is there?
Q: How does intonation affect the meaning of a question tag in speech?
A: In speech, we convey the meaning of a question tag through intonation:
- If the tag signifies a genuine question, we use a rising intonation: the voice goes up.
- The meeting’s at four o’clock, isn’t it?
- If the tag is not a real question and we are sure of the answer, we use a falling intonation: the voice goes down.
- It’s a beautiful day, isn’t it?
In writing, the context usually clarifies the meaning of a question tag.
Q: How are requests formed using negative statements and question tags?
A: We often structure requests as negative statement + question tag.
- You couldn’t lend me a pound, could you?
- You haven’t seen my watch anywhere, have you?
Q: What is the question tag for “I am”?
A: The question tag for “I am” is “aren’t I?”
- I’m late, aren’t I?
- Am I not? is also acceptable in very formal contexts.
Q: How are imperatives followed by question tags?
A: After imperatives, “won’t you?” can be used to politely invite people to do things.
- Come in, won’t you?
“Will/would/can/could you?” can be used for requests.
- Give me a hand, will you?
- Open a window, would you?
“Can’t you” expresses impatience.
- Shut up, can’t you?
After a negative imperative, we use “will you?”
- Don’t forget, will you?
Q: How do we use question tags with “Let’s”?
A: Following “let’s…,” we use “shall we?”
- Let’s have a party, shall we?
Q: How do we use question tags with “There’s”?
A: “There” can also form question tags.
- There’s something wrong, isn’t there?
- There weren’t any problems, were there?
When “there’s” introduces a plural noun phrase, the tag is “aren’t there?”
- There’s some more chairs upstairs, aren’t there?
Q: How do we use “it” and “they” with nothing, nobody, somebody, etc.?
A: We use “it” in question tags when referring to nothing or everything.
- Nothing can happen, can it?
We use “they” to refer to nobody, somebody, and everyone.
- Nobody phoned, did they?
- Somebody wanted a drink, didn’t they? Who was it?
Q: How do we use question tags with non-auxiliary “have”?
A: After non-auxiliary “have” (indicating states), both “have” and “do” question tags are often acceptable. (Do is common in American English.)
- Your father has a bad back, hasn’t/doesn’t he?
Q: What are ‘same-way’ question tags and how are they used?
A: Non-negative question tags commonly follow affirmative sentences. These often express interest or surprise about something just stated.
- So you’re getting married, are you? How nice!
- So she thinks she’s going to become a doctor, does she? Well, well.
- You think you’re funny, do you?
‘Same-way’ tags can also form questions, guessing the main sentence's accuracy.
- Your mother’s at home, is she?
- This is the last bus, is it?
- You can eat shellfish, can you?
I’ll …, shall I? can convey offers.
- I’ll hold that for you, shall I?
Negative ‘same-way’ tags can sound aggressive.
- I see. You don’t like my cooking, don’t you?
Q: What is ellipsis in question tags?
A: In question tags, it's common to omit pronoun subjects and auxiliary verbs, known as 'ellipsis.'
- (It’s a) nice day, isn’t it?
- (She was) talking to my husband, was she?
In casual speech, a tag can follow a question with ellipsis.
- Have a good time, did you?
- Your mother at home, is she?
- Jack be here tomorrow, will he?
Q: How are question tags used in sentences beginning with “I (don’t) think”?
A: Observe question tags in sentences starting with “I (don’t) think.”
- I think he’s Norwegian, isn’t he? (not “… don’t I?”)
- I don’t think it will rain, will it? (not “… do I?”)
- I suppose you’re hungry, aren’t you?
Q: What are simpler question tags used in informal speech?
A: In casual conversation, simpler tags like “No?” (after affirmatives) and “Right?” are commonly used to verify information or seek agreement.
- We’re seeing her tomorrow, no?
- They all speak English, right?
- You haven’t got a ticket, right?
“Right” can also assert clarity in an aggressive manner.
- This is your last chance, right?
- I’m not working extra hours, right?
In non-standard speech, “isn’t it? / innit?” is used as a universal question tag.
- You wants them bricks today, innit?
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