Grammar
Questions
1st Part
Yes or No
2nd Part
Wh questions
3rd Part
Direct / Indirect
4th Part
Tag Questions
Grammar in use
- Topic : Tag questions
- Skills : Grammar
Use
What is a a direct question?
A tag question is a grammatical structure that is used to turn a statement into a question. It consists of a statement followed by a short question tag that seeks confirmation or agreement from the listener. Tag questions are commonly used in spoken English to seek agreement, to clarify information, or to express uncertainty.
The structure of a tag question typically involves using a positive or negative statement, which is then followed by a tag that matches the polarity of the statement. If the statement is positive, the tag is usually negative, and if the statement is negative, the tag is usually positive.
Examples:
Statement: You like coffee.
Tag question: You like coffee, don’t you?
Statement: She isn’t coming, is she?
Tag question: She isn’t coming, is she?
Tag questions can vary in their form and can include various pronouns, auxiliary verbs, and the appropriate subject-verb agreement. The intonation used when speaking a tag question can also convey different meanings, such as seeking confirmation, expressing surprise, or indicating uncertainty.
Structure of tag questions:
Positive statement = negative tag
Negative statement = positive tag
How to form a question tag?
| Rule | Example |
|---|---|
| If the auxiliary verb in the statement is “is,” “am,” “are,” “was,” or “were,” the contracted form in the tag is “isn’t,” “aren’t,” “wasn’t,” or “weren’t.” | Statement: She is here. Tag question: She is here, isn’t she? |
| If the auxiliary verb in the statement is “has” or “have,” the contracted form in the tag is “hasn’t” or “haven’t.” | Statement: They have finished. Tag question: They have finished, haven’t they? |
| If the auxiliary verb in the statement is “do” or “does,” the contracted form in the tag is “don’t” or “doesn’t.” | Statement: You like ice cream. Tag question: You like ice cream, don’t you? |
| If the auxiliary verb in the statement is “did,” the contracted form in the tag is “didn’t.” | Statement: He studied for the test. Tag question: He studied for the test, didn’t he? |
Remember, when forming a contracted question tag, make sure the subject pronoun in the tag matches the subject of the statement.
If the subject in the statement is “I,” the subject pronoun in the tag is “I” as well, without any contraction.
Tag questions are used for several reasons in English communication:
| 1. Seeking confirmation or agreement: Tag questions are commonly used to seek confirmation or agreement from the listener. By adding a tag at the end of a statement, the speaker invites the listener to respond and confirm whether they agree or disagree with the statement. Example: “You’re coming to the party, aren’t you?” The speaker is seeking confirmation that the listener will attend the party. |
| 2. Seeking clarification: Tag questions can be used to seek clarification or to ask for additional information. They help the speaker confirm or clarify something they are unsure about. Example: “She left early, didn’t she?” The speaker is seeking confirmation that the person mentioned indeed left early. |
| 3. Expressing uncertainty or politeness: Tag questions can also be used to express uncertainty or to soften the impact of a statement. They are often employed to show politeness or to avoid sounding too assertive. “It’s a lovely day, isn’t it?” The speaker is expressing uncertainty and inviting the listener to confirm whether they agree that the day is indeed lovely. |
| 4. Maintaining conversation and encouraging response: Tag questions can help maintain a conversation and encourage the listener to respond. They make the statement more interactive and invite further discussion. Example: “That movie was great, wasn’t it?” The speaker is inviting the listener to share their opinion about the movie and continue the conversation. |
Tag questions can vary in formality and can convey different tones depending on the intonation used.
They are commonly used in spoken English and add a conversational element to the language.