Question tags are short phrases added to the end of a statement to turn it into a question or to confirm information. They are commonly used in spoken English to engage the listener, seek agreement, or check if the information is correct.
Structure of Question Tags:
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Positive statement + negative tag
- Example: You're coming to the party, aren't you?
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Negative statement + positive tag
- Example: She isn't eating, is she?
Rules for Forming Question Tags:
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Subject and Auxiliary Verb: The question tag usually uses the subject pronoun and the auxiliary verb (or a form of "to be") from the statement.
- Example: He can swim, can't he? (The auxiliary "can" is used from the statement.)
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Tense: The tense of the question tag must match the tense of the statement.
- Example: They were happy, weren't they?
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Use of "do": If there is no auxiliary verb in the statement, use "do," "does," or "did" as appropriate.
- Example: You like ice cream, don't you?
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Imperative sentences: For commands, the question tag can be "will you" or "won't you."
- Example: Close the window, will you?
Tips for Using Question Tags:
- Be mindful of intonation: Rising intonation often indicates a genuine question, while falling intonation can imply that the speaker is sure of the information.
- In informal speech, "eh?" or "right?" can be used in place of standard tags.
- Be aware of regional variations; question tag usage can differ between British and American English.
Examples:
- It’s a lovely day, isn’t it?
- You haven’t seen my keys, have you?
- The meeting starts at 10, doesn’t it?
- Let’s go out for dinner, shall we?
- You used to live here, didn’t you?
Practicing with these structures can help improve your conversational English and ensure clarity in communication. If you have specific sentences you’d like help with or further questions about question tags, feel free to ask!