Do you stumble when using question tags in English? We get it. These little endings can trip up even fluent speakers. But don’t worry! We’ve got a solution that’ll make you a question-tag pro.
In this post, we’ll show you how to master question tags with ease. You’ll learn simple tricks to use them correctly every time. Plus, we’ll give you fun exercises to practice your new skills.
By the end, you’ll use question tags like a native speaker. Ready to boost your English? Let’s jump in and explore question tags together.
We promise you’ll be amazed at how quickly you improve.
What Are Question Tags?
Question tags are short questions added to the end of statements. They turn a statement into a question or ask for confirmation. These little additions make our speech more natural and engaging.
The structure of a question tag is simple: statement + tag.
For example: “You like coffee, don’t you?“
In the above sentence: “You like coffee” is the statement, and “don’t you” is the tag.
We often use question tags when we want to:
- Check if something is true.
- Ask for agreement.
- Start a conversation.
- Make a suggestion sound less direct.
For instance, saying, “It’s a beautiful day, isn’t it?” is a friendly way to discuss the weather.
Types of Question Tags
Question tags come in two main flavors: positive and negative. Let’s look at each type:
Positive Question Tags
We use positive question tags after negative statements to confirm the negative information we just shared.
How to form: Use the auxiliary verb from the main sentence + subject pronoun.
Examples (with answers):
- “You aren’t going to the party, are you?” (Expected answer: “No, I’m not.“)
- “She doesn’t like spicy food, does she?” (Expected answer: “No, she doesn’t.“)
- “They won’t arrive until tomorrow, will they?” (Expected answer: “No, they won’t.“)
Negative Question Tags
We add negative question tags to positive statements. They help us seek confirmation about the positive information in our statement.
How to form: Use the negative form of the auxiliary verb + subject pronoun.
Examples (with answers):
- “You’re coming to the meeting, aren’t you?” (Expected answer: “Yes, I am.“)
- “He likes chocolate, doesn’t he?” (Expected answer: “Yes, he does.“)
- “They’ve finished the project, haven’t they?” (Expected answer: “Yes, they have.“)
Remember, the expected answers aren’t always what we get. The beauty of question tags is that they open up conversations and allow for different responses.
Rules for Forming Question Tags
To use question tags correctly, follow these three key rules:
Rule 1: use the Opposite Polarity
If your main statement is positive, use a negative tag. If your statement is negative, use a positive tag.
Example:
- Positive statement: “You like pizza, don’t you?“
- Negative statement: “You don’t like anchovies, do you?“
Rule 2: Match the Subject
The subject in your tag should match the subject in your main statement.
Example:
- “Mary went to the store, didn’t she?” (not “didn’t it” or “didn’t they”)
- “The cats are sleeping, aren’t they?” (not “isn’t it” or “aren’t we”)
Rule 3: Use the Right Auxiliary or Modal Verb
The tag should use the same auxiliary or modal verb as the main statement. If there’s no auxiliary verb, use the appropriate form of “do.”
Examples:
- “You can swim, can’t you?” (modal verb “can”)
- “She has finished her homework, hasn’t she?” (auxiliary verb “has”)
- “They went to the movies, didn’t they?” (no auxiliary in main clause, so we use “do.”)
Common Mistakes with Question Tags
Even experienced English speakers can make mistakes with question tags. Here are some common errors to watch out for:
Mistake 1: Using the Wrong Verb Form
Sometimes, people use the wrong auxiliary verb or forget to match the tense.
- Incorrect: “You went to Paris, didn’t you go?”
- Correct: “You went to Paris, didn’t you?”
Mistake 2: Incorrectly Matching the Subject
This happens when the tag doesn’t agree with the subject of the main clause.
- Incorrect: “The team is winning, aren’t they?”
- Correct: “The team is winning, isn’t it?”
Mistake 3: Mixing up Positive and Negative Tags
Using a positive tag with a positive statement or a negative tag with a negative statement is a common error.
- Incorrect: “You like chocolate, do you?”
- Correct: “You like chocolate, don’t you?”
Tips to Avoid These Errors
- Always double-check your main clause. Is it positive or negative? Use the opposite in your tag.
- Pay attention to the subject. Is it singular or plural? Make sure your tag matches.
- Look for auxiliary verbs in your main clause. If there’s one, use it in your tag. If not, use a form of “do.”
- Practice, practice, practice! The more you use question tags, the more natural they’ll become.
Remember, question tags add a friendly tone to your speech. With these rules and tips, you’ll be using them confidently in no time!
Question Tags in Different Tenses
Question tags can be used with various tenses in English. Let’s explore how they work with different tenses and see some examples of their expected answers.
| Tense | Explanation | Positive Statement Example | Negative Statement Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Present Simple | Use “do/does” in the tag. Use “don’t/doesn’t” for positive statements and “do/does” for negative ones. | “You like coffee, don’t you?” | “She doesn’t eat meat, does she?” |
| Past Simple | Use “did” in the tag. Use “didn’t” for positive statements and “did” for negative ones. | “You went to the party last night, didn’t you?” | “They didn’t finish their homework, did they?” |
| Present Perfect | Use “have/has” in the tag. For positive statements, use “haven’t/hasn’t” and “have/has. ” For negative ones, use “have/has.” | “You’ve been to Paris, haven’t you?” | “She hasn’t called yet, has she?” |
| Future Simple | Use “will” in the tag. Use “won’t” for positive statements and “will” for negative ones. | “You’ll be at the meeting tomorrow, won’t you?” | “They won’t arrive until next week, will they?” |
Notice how the auxiliary verb in the tag changes to match the tense of the main clause. This alignment is key to forming correct question tags across different tenses.
Remember, the choice of auxiliary verbs in your tag should always match the tense and structure of your main statement. With practice, you’ll find that using the right question tag for each tense becomes second nature!
Practice Exercises 20 Question Tag with Answer
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks with Correct Question Tags
- You’re coming to the meeting, __________?
- She doesn’t like coffee, __________?
- They have finished their homework, __________?
- He won’t be late, __________?
- It’s raining outside, __________?
- You can swim well, __________?
- She’s finished her dinner, __________?
- They weren’t surprised, __________?
- He doesn’t work on weekends, __________?
- We’re going to the movies tonight, __________?
Exercise 2: Rewrite Sentences with the Appropriate Question Tag
- The weather is nice today.
- You haven’t seen my keys.
- We’re not going to the party.
- She can drive a car.
- They weren’t at the concert.
- She likes to read books.
- You won’t forget to call me.
- They can’t speak French.
- He hasn’t been to Paris.
- The cats are playing outside.
Answers to Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks with Correct Question Tags
- You’re coming to the meeting, aren’t you?
- She doesn’t like coffee, does she?
- They have finished their homework, haven’t they?
- He won’t be late, will he?
- It’s raining outside, isn’t it?
- You can swim well, can’t you?
- She’s finished her dinner, hasn’t she?
- They weren’t surprised, were they?
- He doesn’t work on weekends, does he?
- We’re going to the movies tonight, aren’t we?
Exercise 2: Rewrite Sentences with the Appropriate Question Tag
- The weather is nice today, isn’t it?
- You haven’t seen my keys, have you?
- We’re not going to the party, are we?
- She can drive a car, can’t she?
- They weren’t at the concert, were they?
- She likes to read books, doesn’t she?
- You won’t forget to call me, will you?
- They can’t speak French, can they?
- He hasn’t been to Paris, has he?
- The cats are playing outside, aren’t they?
Conclusion
Let’s wrap up our journey through question tags. We’ve explored what they are, how to use them, and why they matter in everyday English. From the basics to trickier tenses, we’ve covered it all.
Remember, question tags aren’t just grammar rules but tools for better communication. They help us check information, start conversations, and sound more natural when we speak.
We hope this guide has made question tags clearer for you. With the exercises we’ve provided, you’re well on your way to mastering this skill. Keep practicing, and soon, you’ll use question tags without thinking about it.
English is full of fun quirks like question tags. The more you use them, the more comfortable you’ll become. So go ahead and give them a try in your next conversation!
