Question Tags

 

Question Tags

Question tags, also known as tag questions, are short phrases added to the end of a sentence to turn a statement into a question.

 They are a common feature of English grammar and serve various functions in communication.

1. Use of Question Tags:

Question tags are used in spoken and written English to:

• Confirm information: "You're coming to the party, aren't you?"
• Ask for agreement or disagreement: "She's a great singer, isn't she?"
• Request information or clarification: "You know Ram, don't you?"
• Express doubt or uncertainty: "It's a lovely day, isn't it?"

2. Formation of Question Tags:

The formation of question tags depends on the tense and structure of the main clause.

 Here are some general rules:

a) Affirmative Statement, Negative Tag:

• He is going to the party, isn't he?
• They have finished their homework, haven't they?

b) Negative Statement, Affirmative Tag:

• You don't like coffee, do you?
• She hasn't called yet, has she?

c) Modal Verbs:

• She can swim, can't she?
• You shouldn't do that, should you?

d) Imperatives:

• Let's go for a walk, shall we?
• Don't forget to call, will you?

3. Examples of Question Tags:

• You've seen that movie, haven't you?
• It's a beautiful day, isn't it?
• She won't be late, will she?
• We're leaving tomorrow, aren't we?
• He likes ice cream, doesn't he?
• You can swim, can't you?
• Let's go, shall we?
• They aren't coming, are they?

Exercise/Practice Questions

Add the appropriate question tag to complete each sentence.

1. You're coming to the party, ____?
2. She doesn't like coffee, ____?
3. We're going to the beach tomorrow, ____?
4. They haven't finished their homework yet, ____?
5. He can swim very well, ____?
6. It's a beautiful day, ____?
7. You won't forget to call me, ____?
8. She speaks Spanish fluently, ____?
9. They've already seen that movie, ____?
10. He didn't eat lunch, ____?

Answers

1. You're coming to the party, aren't you?
2. She doesn't like coffee, does she?
3. We're going to the beach tomorrow, aren't we?
4. They haven't finished their homework yet, have they?
5. He can swim very well, can't he?
6. It's a beautiful day, isn't it?
7. You won't forget to call me, will you?
8. She speaks Spanish fluently, doesn't she?
9. They've already seen that movie, haven't they?
10. He didn't eat lunch, did he?