Meaning of Question Tags in English and How to Use Them?

What is a Question Tag?

The Collins dictionary question tag definition states that this is a short clause that is always at the end of the sentence and modifies it into a question. These tags are often used when you are converting statements to questions. The purpose of these tags is to get a reply, which either agrees or confirms the opinion of the speaker. These question tags are generally of two types:

• Negative tags: In case the statement is positive then the question tag is negative. For example, aren’t you, can’t she, etc.
• Positive tags: If the main statement is negative, in that case the tag is positive. For example, does he, have they, etc.

Let’s take a look at them in detail.

Basic Rules for Using Question Tags

When creating question tags, it is necessary to follow the set guidelines to ensure grammatically correct tags. Some of the general rules for using these question tags in English statements that contain an auxiliary verb are given below:

The Positive-Negative Rule

This rule is applicable for the positive sentences that take up a negative question tag. In this, the simple formula for creating the negative tag is as follows:

Auxiliary verb + n’t + subject

 Some other question tag rules that you need to follow are given below:

• In the case of statements with ‘am not’ the word ‘aren’t’ is used in tag.

Example: I am correct, aren’t I?

• Imperative sentences use the tag, won’t you? 

Example: Come sit, won’t you?

• When the question tag is negative the anomalous verbs are abbreviated.

Example: don’t, daren’t, won’t, etc.

• If the auxiliary verbs are missing, then you use does/ do/ did in the tags.

Example: They eat fast, don’t they?

The Negative-Positive Rule

This rule applies to sentences that are negative and are followed by a positive tag. The formula for the question tag is as follows:

Auxiliary verb + Subject

A few of the question tag rules that will help you with the negative-positive tags are as follows:

• Collective nouns require you to use singular pronouns and verbs.

For example: The crowd is not very noisy, is it?

• Words like no one, none, nobody (singular words) are followed by plural pronouns, adjectives and verbs.

For example: None of your friends like me, do they?

• Words like seldom, rarely, and hardly are negative in meaning so they have positive question tags.

For example: He is seldom angry, is he?

• If the sentence starts with ‘there’ then the question tag will also use it.

For example: There is no tea, is there?

Lastly, if the sentences do not contain any auxiliary verb, then the question tag can be made from the relevant form of do.

For example: You don’t know him, do you?

She left last Friday, didn’t she?

Also Read: Subject 

Tag Questions Special Cases

There are some exceptions when it comes to the rules of using question tags. Therefore, for complete knowledge about them, you should also know the situations that do not comply with the above-mentioned rules. The following are some of the special cases with question tag sentences for you to explore.

Intonation

Though it might seem weird, the way you articulate your question tag can add emphasis to a question. Rising intonation means that you are expecting a response from the other person. It also shows that you are unsure of what their reply will be.

For example: It's on Saturday, isn't it?

The speaker is not sure about the day and wants a confirmation.

In case of falling intonation, it is obvious that you are sure the listener is going to agree with you. In such situations, you often do not expect a response.

For example: It's on Saturday, isn't it?

The speaker here is sure about the day.

Imperatives

The sentences, that are imperative do not change to interrogative after adding a question tag. That means, the speaker does not expect a reply from the listener. Moreover, imperative sentences for invitations take up the tag with won’t. Meanwhile, statements denoting an order have question tags with will, would, can or can’t. Given below are some question tag examples for imperatives.

For example: Open the windows, would you? (Polite order)

Take a seat, won’t you? (Invitation)

Phone me this evening, will you? (Less polite order)

Negative Adverbs

There are a few adverbs, that when used in a positive sentence, make the intent of the statement negative. Thus, these sentences are considered to be negative and are followed by a positive tag. The following are some such adverbs that have a negative connotation, seldom, hardly, barely, rarely, never, scarcely, etc.

Examples: They rarely speak German, do they?

He seldom goes out, does he?

I barely know you, do I?

Same Way Tag Questions

However, the tag questions follow the rule that negative sentences have positive tags and positive statements have negative tags. However, there are some instances where you can follow the negative-negative or positive-positive structure. This mostly happens in situations where you need to express anger, interest, surprise and not actually ask a question. The following question tag sentences are some such examples:

For example: Oh, so you will be my student, will you? (Surprise)

So you think that's amusing, do you? (Anger)

So you don’t think I am right, don’t you? (Surprise)

You don’t have a problem, don’t you? (Anger)

Asking Information or Help

When asking for help or information, starting with a negative statement, we often make use of tag questions to sound polite. This is also a friendly and polite way of making a request from someone. The following question tag examples show how you can ask for details or help.

For example: You'll help me with this, won't you?

You don’t know where the hospital is, do you?

You'll give me a hand, won't you?

Question Tags in Different Tenses

Different verb forms in a sentence can influence the question tag that it will get. Thus, different tenses result in the formation of various question tags. Hence, given below are some details that will give you an idea of how question tags in the grammar are modified by the tenses:

Examples of Question Tags

Examples can help understand and explore the vast field of question tags in grammar with ease. Therefore, given below are some of the examples of both negative and positive question tags with answers for you to go through:

• So, you’re on evening shifts, aren't you?

Yeah, every night this week.

• It’s rough, isn’t it?

Yes, it is.

• You didn’t throw it out, did you?

I gave it to you.

• You have a green dress, don’t you?

No, I don’t, actually.

• The party is at eight, isn’t it?

I don’t know.

• It won’t matter if we’re late, will it?

I guess not.

• I think we should go for a walk, don't you?

Yes, I agree, we should.

• He’ll send them tomorrow, won’t he?

Yes, he will.

• There isn’t anything to do, is there?

No, there isn’t.

• It has snowed since yesterday, hasn’t it?

Yes, it has.

Tips to Ace the Question Tags in English

Now, that you are familiar with the different question tags, take a look at these tips that can come in handy when making use of these tags in your writing or conversation.

• Context: Before using the tags, ensure whether the question is seeking agreement, confirmation or expressing politeness.
• Emotions: For sentences showcasing strong emotions, you must make use of positive tag with positive statement.
• Imperatives: When using tags with imperatives, make use of can, will and would to make the order softer and the requests politer.
• Universal tags: In an informal context, you can make use of universal tags such as, ‘Is that okay?’ Or ‘right?’.
• Pronouns: Some pronouns like nobody and nothing can be tricky. However, they are negative terms hence use positive tags with them.

Worksheet on Question Tags

Finally, time to check how much you have understood about the question tags in English with the help of some practice questions.

 Complete the below task by filing in the appropriate question tags:

1. Be quiet, ___?
2. I am concerned that Lily is unwell, ____?
3. David doesn’t enjoy reading novels, _____?
4. You are from Australia, ____?
5. She isn’t allergic to peanuts. _______?
6. He has never been to Paris, _______?
7. He could have bought a new car, _______?
8. Kevin will come tonight, _______?
9. The boy is from Turkey, _______?
10. Sue wasn't listening, _______?

Answers

1. Will you
2. Isn’t she
3. Does he
4. Aren’t you
5. Is she
6. Has he
7. Couldn’t he
8. Won't he
9. Isn’t he
10. Was she

Conclusion

On the whole, these are the rules and examples that demonstrate how you can create questions out of simple sentences. In addition, if you are having any issues regarding question tags or other grammatical structures, you can contact our expert mentors at Gradding. They will resolve any doubts that you have and will help you work on your English skills.

Also Read: Noun

FAQs

1. What are question tags with examples?

Question tags usually refer to small short questions that appear at the end of the sentence and turn it into a query. These tags either seek agreement or confirmation from the responder.

Examples: You haven't seen this film, have you?

She's a doctor, isn't she?

He isn't here, is he?

2. What is the formula for question tags?

There is a simple formula that you can use for question tags. In this, you need to switch the auxiliary verb to its opposite form.

For example, in the sentence they could see me, the auxiliary verb is could. So, change it to couldn’t and you get your question tag as they could see me, couldn’t they?

Is ‘shall we’ a question tag?

Yes, ‘shall we’ is a polite question tag. The sentence that begins with let’s, often takes up the question tag shall we.

3. What are 5 examples of positive tag questions?

Positive question tags are added to a negative statement to get confirmation or agreement on something. A few such examples are as follows:

• Luke doesn’t have kids, does he?

(Negative sentence: Luke doesn’t have kids Positive tag: does he)

• She will not come to the party, will she?
• Anna can’t drive, can she?
• You didn’t come there, did you?
• Kumar doesn’t work hard, does he?

4. What is the question tag for this is sad?

It will be ‘Isn’t it?’ because ‘This is sad’ is a positive sentence, which means it will take a negative question tag. Further, the auxiliary verb ‘is’ will be changed to ‘isn’t’. Hence, the question tag for this is sad will be ‘isn’t it?’