TESOL/Question tags
Questions tags are short questions that come at the end of sentences that reflect the main clause.
Wikiversity is fantastic, isn't it?
Mechanics
editNegative with positive
editUsually, a negative main clause has a positive question tag, and a positive main clause has a negative question tag.
Main clause | Question tag | ||
---|---|---|---|
+ | She is nice | isn't she? | - |
- | She isn't nice | is she? | + |
Grammatical exception
editNotice the following examples break the rule.
- Nobody came, did they? (
Nobody came, didn't they?) - He would hardly know anything, would he? (
He would hardly know anything, wouldn't he?) - She can never remember, can she? (
She can never remember, can't she?)
Explanation
editEven when the main clause is negative, a negative question tag is used if the main clause contains a negative word, such as:
- never
- nobody
- nowhere
- little
- hardly
Discourse exception
editPositive main clauses may have positive question tags to indicate a reaction like surprise.
- You're buying a car, are you?
- He quit, did he?
- She thinks I'm strange, does she?
Auxiliary verbs are repeated
editAn auxiliary verb in the main clause is repeated in the question tag.
- She can't know, can she?
- He could come, couldn't he?
- She wouldn't like to come, would she?
- He shan't go, shall he?
- She should come, shouldn't she?
Exception
editThe question tag of "I am" is aren't I?
- I'm right, aren't I?
- I'm done, aren't I?
- I'm ready, aren't I?
No auxiliary
editIf there is no auxiliary verb in the main clause, do is used instead.
- She does know, doesn't she?
- He came, didn't he?
- You ate your dinner, didn't you?
Function
editThey are normal in conversation but sound informal in writing. In conversation, they perform essential communicative tasks.
Seeking Agreement
editQuestion tags function to seek agreement from the listener or reader, in the case of writing. In conversation, falling intonation at the question tag sounds affirmative.
Asking questions
editIn conversation, a question tag with rising intonation acts as a question.
- Today's not Tuesday, is it? (rising intonation suggests that the speaker does not know what day it is)
- That's not the president, is it? (The speaker does not know if it is the president)
Imperatives
editQuestion tags can be used for imperatives in several ways.
Indirect requests
editNegative statements with question tags often function as indirect requests.
- You couldn't lend me some cash, could you?
- You wouldn't know where the station is, would you?
Polite requests
editEspecially in British English, the question tag won't you? is used to make a polite request.
- Join us, won't you?
- Have some coffee, won't you?
Direct requests
editAs opposed to indirect main requests, if the main clause itself is an imperative, the question tag is will you?
- Come here, will you?
- Give me a break, will you?
- Finish your report, will you?
Quiz
editWrite question tags for these sentences.