Tag Questions

A tag question is a special construction in English. It is a statement followed by a miniquestion. The whole sentence is a "tag question", and the mini-question at the end is called a "question tag". TAG QUESTION You speak English,
(sentence)

don't you?
(mini question)

statement

question tag

We use tag questions at the end of statements to ask for confirmation, sometimes they are used to continue with the conversation and sometimes they function as real questions. They mean something like: "Am I right? or "Do you agree?" They are very common in spoken English.

1. To ask for information (the speaker expects an answer) example:

We have a test tomorrow , dont we? Mr. Smith is coming to the meeting, isnt he? I am allowed to park here, arent I?

2. To agree with someone or to continue with the conversation. (the speaker DOES NOT need an answer)
Youre falling asleep, arent you? The party was a lot of fun, wasnt it? I didnt win the lottery, did I?

Then, if you have a negative statement, you will need a positive question tag. Example:

You dont know what to do,

do you?

negative statement tag

positive question

On the contrary, if you have a positive statement, you will need a negative question tag. Example: You know what to do, dont you?

positive statement

negative question tag

Step 1
Identify the verb in the sentence
Example:

Sergio likes to eat at buffets, ______ _______ ?

verb

Step 2
( Is it the verb to be, an auxiliary verb or the main verb? )

Identify the type of the verb

Example:

Sergio likes to eat at buffets, ______ _______ ?

main verb

Step 3
Identify the tense of the verb
( Is it on the present, past or future tense?) ( Is it simple, continuous or perfect ?) Example:

Sergio likes to eat at buffets, ______ _______ ?

present tense

Step 4 If the verb is in the present tense, determine if it is in the 1st or in 3rd person to know if the auxiliary is DO or DOES.
Example:

DOES Sergio likes to eat at buffets, ____________ _______ ?

3rd person
the auxiliary is DOES

Step 5 Is the verb positive o negative?

Example:

DOESNT Sergio likes to eat at buffets, __________ _______ ?

affirmative WRITE THE QUESTION TAG IN THE OPPOSITE

Step 6 Add the pronoun at the end of the question tag.

Example: Sergio likes to eat at buffets, ___________ _______ ?

DOESNT

HE

the noun corresponds to the pronoun HE

Step 1 : Identify the verb in the sentence Step 2 : Identify the type of verb Step 3 : Identify the tense Step 4 : Use the correct auxiliary verb Step 5 : Affirmative or negative? Step 6 : Add pronoun

Rising intonation : REAL QUESTION

You dont know where my wallet is, do you?

the most important part of this structure is the question

Falling intonation : TO CONTINUE DIALOGUE

Its a beautiful view, isnt it?

the most important part of this structure is the information in the statement

1. After lets SHALL WE?

Lets walk, shall we ? Lets is used to invite someone to do an activity with you.

2. After the imperative WILL YOU?

Dont run, will you ? Imperatives are used to give orders to people in affirmative and negative form. The subject of this form is always YOU understood. This is the only structure that doesnt have a written subject.

3. After I am . Arent I?
I am right, arent I ? This happens because you cannot use amnt WRONG

So, you must change it to arent I as a general rule.

A. Complete with the correct question tag.

1. He's still sleeping, _______________ ? 2. You go to school, ______________? 3. Let's go for a walk, _______________? 4. We won't be late, _______________? 5. Peter called, _______________? 6. They will wash the car, _______________? 7. We locked the doors, _______________? 8. I'm correct, _______________? 9. Say something, _______________? 10. You wouldn't want to invite my Dad, __________?

B. Choose the correct alternative 1. You wanted that, .......... ? a. would you
b. c. d.

3. You know that's right,......... ? a. would you

b. c. d.

didn't you

wouldn't you

wouldn't you
do you

don't you
didn't you

2. He saw that, .......... ? a. is he

b. c. d.

won't he didn't he doesn't he

4. He will be coming, .......... ?

a.
b. c.

is he
did he doesn't he

d.

won't he

5. After all this time you still think he forgot it, .......... ?
a. b. c. d. didn't you wouldn't you don't you do you

A. 1. isnt he? 2. dont you? 3. shall we? 4. will we? 5. didnt he? 6. wont they? 7. didnt we? 8. arent I? 9. will you? 10. would you?

B. 1. b 2. c 3. c 4. d 5. d