Tag Question

Tag Questions (Video)

Definition:

A tag question is a special construction in English. It is a statement followed by a mini-question. The mini-question on the end of the sentence is called a question tag.

For Example: He doesn’t like me, does he?

             Statement   + mini question

We use tag questions to ask for confirmation. They mean something like: "Is that right?" or "Do you agree?" They are very common in English.

Patterns (How to use tag questions):

Normally we use a negative question tag after a positive statement, and positive question tag after a negative statement.

Positive sentence, Negative tag	Negative sentence, Positive tag
-         Kate cooked dinner for her family, didn’t she? -         I failed the test, didn’t I?	-         Kathy didn’t finish her homework, did she? -         You don’t have English on Mondays, do you?

Notice the meaning of yes and no in answer to a negative sentence:

You aren’t going out today, are you? – Yes, I am.

                              - No, I am not.

Note: The meaning of tag questions

The meaning of the tag question depends on how you use it. If your voice goes down, you’re not really asking a question; you’re only inviting the listener to agree with you: Listen: 1.      ‘It’s a nice day, isn’t it?’  ‘Yes, beautiful.’ (click me) 2.      ‘Tim doesn’t look well today, does he?’     ‘No, he looks very tired.’ (click me) 3.      ‘She’s very funny. She’s got a great sense of humor, hasn't she? (click me)’  But if the voice goes up, it is a real question: Listen: 1. ‘You haven’t seen Lisa today, have you?’     ‘ No, I’m afraid I haven’t. (click me) = (Have you seen Lisa today?)       You can use a negative sentence + positive tag to ask for things or information, or to ask somebody to do something. The voice goes up at the end of the tag in sentences like these: Listen: 1. ‘You haven’t got a plan, have you?’     ‘Yes, here you are.’ (click me) 2. ‘You couldn’t do me a favor, could you?’     ‘It depends on what it is.’ (click me)

Patterns (Using it with Let’s …/ Don’t …/ Let + somebody + V.../ Let’s not)

Let’s …, shall we?	Let’s go jogging, shall we? Let’s play, shall we?
Let + somebody + V, will you?	Let us go jogging, will you? Let him go, will you?
Let’s not …, all right (O.K.)?	Let’s not play with Sean, all right? Let’s not tell Tom what happened, all right.
Don’t/ Please/V…, will you? (Giving commands)	Please turn on the lights, will you? Don’t give him too much money, will you? Stand up, will you?
Have + N, won’t you?	Have some coffee, won’t you? Have a piece of pizza, won’t you?

Tag question exercises:
Tag questions (simple tenses) (1).doc answer keys: Tag questions (simple tenses) (1).doc
Tag questions (simple tenses) (2).doc answer keys: Tag questions (simple tenses) (2).doc
Tag questions (simple tenses) (3).doc answer keys: Tag questions (simple tenses) (3) answer keys.doc
Tag questions (simple tenses) (4).doc answer keys: Tag questions (simple tenses) (4) answer keys.doc
Tag questions (simple tenses) (5).doc answer keys: Tag questions (simple tenses) (5) answer keys.doc
Tag questions (Model verbs).doc answer keys:  Tag questions (Model verbs).doc
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