TAG QUESTIONS
TAG QUESTION
In grammar, a question tag is a very short clause at the end of a statement which changes the statement into a question. They are often used for checking information that we think we know is true. Usually if the main clause is positive, the question tag is negative, and if the main clause is negative, it's positive.
+Positive:
-Negative:
The intonation and meaning
Intonation is the rise and fall of the voice in speaking.
Rising Intonation:
John doesn’t speak Spanish, does he?
If the intonation of the question tag goes up, it means you are not sure and you want to know the answer.
Falling Intonation:
John doesn’t speak Spanish, does he?
If the intonation of the question tag goes down, it means you are checking or confirming information that we are sure of. It can also be used when making conversation.
Answering Tag Questions
We just say Yes or No.
Sometimes we may repeat the tag and reverse it.
Examples in present simple:
+You like ice cream, don't you?
Tag question: don't you?
Answer: Yes, I do.
+She doesn't eat meat, does she?
Tag question: does she?
Answer: No, she doesn't.
Example in past simple:
+They went to the store, didn't they?
Tag question: didn't they?
Answer: Yes, they did.
Examples in present perfect:
+You have seen that movie before, haven't you?
Tag question: haven't you?
Answer: Yes, I have.
+She hasn't finished her homework yet, has she?
Tag question: has she?
Answer: No, she hasn't.
Examples in future simple:
+You will come to the party tomorrow, won't you?
Tag question: won't you?
Answer: Yes, I will.
+They won't be late for the meeting, will they?
Tag question: will they?
Answer: No, they won't.
Auxiliary verb
If the verb has tense is necessary add a statement that matches with it.
If the verb in the statement is to be in present simple or past simple. In this case we use to be to make the question tag:
The bus stop’s over there,isn’t it?
None of those customers were happy, were they?
If the verb in the statement is a modal verb.Here we use the modal verb to make the questions tag:
They could hear me,couldn’t they?
You won’t tell anyone,will you?
If the main verb or auxiliary verb in the statement is am,the positive question tag is am I?but the negative question tag usually aren’t I?:
I’m never on time,am I?
I’m going to get an email with the details,aren’t I?
- Alan Leonardo Mendoza Xicotencatl
- Emmuel Carmona Altamirado
- Ingrid Leticia Rocha Arjona
Este comentario ha sido eliminado por el autor.
ResponderBorrarThe subject is well explained and well understood although there are 3 exceptions with the question tag, one is the one you write that is I'm -> aren't I and the oher two exeptions are:
ResponderBorrarLet's -> Shall we?
Let's open the wine, Shall we?
And the last exeptions is when we have an imperative that is an order, follow by will you?
Call me, will you?
In negative form
Don't be late, will you?
That's great! Tag questions are an interesting and useful grammatical structure in English, as they allow the speaker to seek confirmation or agreement with what they have just said. I hope this post helps to clarify any doubts that someone may have about the use of tag questions in English.
ResponderBorrarI really like your post, because the explanation is very clear and the font you chose makes it easier to read and grasp the concepts, besides including very good examples. :)
ResponderBorrarI think that this publication has detailed information on the subject and can probably be used as an example of the use of tag questions and to study about it.
ResponderBorrar