Question tags are a small but significant part of English grammar, adding nuance and engagement to our spoken and written communication. They transform statements into questions, inviting confirmation or challenging assumptions.
For example, instead of just saying “You’re coming,” you can say, “You’re coming, aren’t you?” This invites the listener to respond and keeps the conversation flowing.
Mastering question tags might seem tricky at first, but once you understand the rules and patterns, you’ll find them easy and fun to use. In this article, I’ll guide you through the basics — what question tags are, how to form them correctly, common mistakes to avoid, and some advanced tips to make your English sound even better.
Whether you’re just starting out or want to polish your skills, this guide will help you feel confident using question tags in both speaking and writing.
Let’s get started and make your English conversations more lively and natural!
Table of Contents
- Definition of Question Tags
- Structural Breakdown of Question Tags
- Types of Question Tags
- Examples of Question Tags
- Usage Rules for Question Tags
- Common Mistakes with Question Tags
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics in Question Tags
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Definition of Question Tags
A question tag is a short question added to the end of a statement. It is used to either confirm information or to invite agreement from the listener.
Question tags are primarily used in spoken English to encourage interaction and make conversations more engaging. They can also be used in writing, although less frequently, to create a conversational tone or to emphasize a point.
The basic function of a question tag is to turn a declarative sentence (a statement) into an interrogative one (a question). This is achieved by adding a short question, consisting of an auxiliary verb and a pronoun, to the end of the statement.
The choice of auxiliary verb and pronoun is determined by the verb and subject in the main statement. For example, in the sentence “You are coming, aren’t you?”, the question tag “aren’t you?” is added to the statement “You are coming.”
Question tags can be classified based on their polarity, meaning whether they are positive or negative. A statement followed by a question tag of opposite polarity is a typical configuration.
For instance, a positive statement (e.g., “It’s a nice day”) is often followed by a negative question tag (e.g., “isn’t it?”). Conversely, a negative statement (e.g., “He isn’t here”) is typically followed by a positive question tag (e.g., “is he?”).
Structural Breakdown of Question Tags
The structure of a question tag is relatively simple but requires careful attention to detail. It consists of two main components: an auxiliary verb and a pronoun.
The auxiliary verb must match the verb tense and form in the main statement. The pronoun must refer to the subject of the main statement.
Let’s break down each component:
Auxiliary Verb
The auxiliary verb in the question tag is determined by the verb in the main statement. If the main statement contains an auxiliary verb (such as be, have, do, or modal verbs like can, will, should), that same auxiliary verb is used in the question tag. If the main statement does not contain an auxiliary verb, the auxiliary verb do, does, or did is used, depending on the tense and subject of the main verb.
For example:
- Statement: She is coming. Tag: isn’t she?
- Statement: They have finished. Tag: haven’t they?
- Statement: He can swim. Tag: can’t he?
- Statement: You like coffee. Tag: don’t you? (do is used because “like” is the main verb in the present simple tense)
Pronoun
The pronoun in the question tag refers back to the subject of the main statement. It must agree in number and gender with the subject.
If the subject is a noun, it is replaced by the corresponding pronoun in the question tag. If the subject is already a pronoun, that same pronoun is used in the question tag.
For example:
- Statement: John is here. Tag: isn’t he? (John becomes “he”)
- Statement: The dogs are barking. Tag: aren’t they? (The dogs become “they”)
- Statement: She is ready. Tag: isn’t she? (She remains “she”)
Polarity
As mentioned earlier, the polarity of the question tag usually contrasts with the polarity of the main statement. This means that if the statement is positive, the question tag is usually negative, and vice versa.
Positive Statement + Negative Tag:
- You are ready, aren’t you?
- He likes pizza, doesn’t he?
Negative Statement + Positive Tag:
- You aren’t ready, are you?
- He doesn’t like pizza, does he?
Types of Question Tags
While the basic structure of question tags remains consistent, there are some variations depending on the type of statement they are attached to. These variations mainly involve the choice of auxiliary verb and pronoun.
Statements with Auxiliary Verbs
When the main statement includes an auxiliary verb (be, have, do, or modal verbs), the question tag uses the same auxiliary verb. The polarity is reversed, and the pronoun refers to the subject.
Examples:
- She is working, isn’t she?
- They have arrived, haven’t they?
- He can speak French, can’t he?
- We should leave, shouldn’t we?
Statements without Auxiliary Verbs
When the main statement does not include an auxiliary verb, the auxiliary verb do, does, or did is used in the question tag, depending on the tense and subject of the verb. Again, the polarity is reversed, and the pronoun refers to the subject.
Examples:
- You like chocolate, don’t you? (present simple)
- He plays the guitar, doesn’t he? (present simple, third person singular)
- They went to the park, didn’t they? (past simple)
Imperative Sentences
Imperative sentences (commands or requests) use the question tag “will you?” or “won’t you?”. “Will you?” is generally used for polite requests, while “won’t you?” can be used to express impatience or mild annoyance.
Examples:
- Open the window, will you? (polite request)
- Be quiet, will you? (polite request)
- Stop talking, won’t you? (impatient)
Sentences with “Let’s”
Sentences starting with “Let’s” (suggesting a collective action) use the question tag “shall we?”.
Examples:
- Let’s go to the beach, shall we?
- Let’s have dinner, shall we?
Sentences with “There is/are”
Sentences starting with “There is/are” use “there” as the pronoun in the question tag.
Examples:
- There is a problem, isn’t there?
- There are many people here, aren’t there?
Sentences with Indefinite Pronouns
When the subject of the sentence is an indefinite pronoun like everyone, everybody, someone, somebody, no one, or nobody, the pronoun “they” is used in the question tag. This can be a bit tricky, as it doesn’t always align with the singular connotation of these pronouns.
Examples:
- Everyone is coming, aren’t they?
- Somebody called, didn’t they?
- Nobody knows, do they?
Examples of Question Tags
To solidify your understanding of question tags, let’s examine a wide range of examples categorized by sentence structure and verb tense. These examples will illustrate the different rules and variations discussed earlier.
Examples with “Be” Verbs
The following table presents examples of question tags used with sentences containing forms of the verb “be” (is, are, was, were).
| Statement | Question Tag |
|---|---|
| She is a doctor. | isn’t she? |
| They are students. | aren’t they? |
| He was late. | wasn’t he? |
| We were happy. | weren’t we? |
| It is raining. | isn’t it? |
| You are tired. | aren’t you? |
| I am right. | aren’t I? |
| The book is interesting. | isn’t it? |
| The flowers are beautiful. | aren’t they? |
| The weather was terrible. | wasn’t it? |
| She isn’t a teacher. | is she? |
| They aren’t ready. | are they? |
| He wasn’t there. | was he? |
| We weren’t invited. | were we? |
| It isn’t cold. | is it? |
| You aren’t leaving. | are you? |
| I am not mistaken. | am I? |
| The car isn’t new. | is it? |
| The lights aren’t on. | are they? |
| The movie wasn’t good. | was it? |
Examples with Auxiliary Verbs (Have, Do, Can, Will, Should)
This table shows examples of question tags used with various auxiliary verbs, demonstrating how the auxiliary verb in the statement is mirrored in the tag.
| Statement | Question Tag |
|---|---|
| You have finished your work. | haven’t you? |
| He has eaten lunch. | hasn’t he? |
| They had left before we arrived. | hadn’t they? |
| We do need more coffee. | don’t we? |
| She does like to dance. | doesn’t she? |
| They did go to the party. | didn’t they? |
| You can swim. | can’t you? |
| She can’t sing. | can she? |
| He will be there. | won’t he? |
| They won’t come. | will they? |
| We should study. | shouldn’t we? |
| She shouldn’t worry. | should she? |
| You haven’t been there. | have you? |
| He hasn’t called. | has he? |
| They hadn’t seen it. | had they? |
| We don’t need help. | do we? |
| She doesn’t know him. | does she? |
| They didn’t understand. | did they? |
| You couldn’t hear me. | could you? |
| She wouldn’t agree. | would she? |
| He mustn’t leave. | must he? |
Examples with Simple Present and Simple Past Tenses
This table illustrates how question tags are formed when the main statement is in the simple present or simple past tense, requiring the use of “do,” “does,” or “did.”
| Statement | Question Tag |
|---|---|
| You like ice cream. | don’t you? |
| She plays the piano. | doesn’t she? |
| They live in London. | don’t they? |
| He worked yesterday. | didn’t he? |
| We went to the concert. | didn’t we? |
| They saw the movie. | didn’t they? |
| You don’t like spinach. | do you? |
| She doesn’t watch TV. | does she? |
| They don’t speak Spanish. | do they? |
| He didn’t call me. | did he? |
| We didn’t eat dinner. | did we? |
| They didn’t come to the meeting. | did they? |
| I understand the question. | don’t I? |
| She needs help. | doesn’t she? |
| They want to go home. | don’t they? |
| He arrived late. | didn’t he? |
| We enjoyed the party. | didn’t we? |
| They finished the project. | didn’t they? |
| I don’t need your advice. | do I? |
| She doesn’t have time. | does she? |
Examples with Imperative Sentences and “Let’s”
This table provides examples of question tags used with imperative sentences and sentences starting with “Let’s,” highlighting the specific tags “will you?” “won’t you?” and “shall we?”.
| Statement | Question Tag |
|---|---|
| Open the door. | will you? |
| Close the window. | will you? |
| Be quiet. | will you? |
| Stop talking. | won’t you? |
| Help me. | will you? |
| Don’t forget. | will you? |
| Let’s go to the movies. | shall we? |
| Let’s eat pizza. | shall we? |
| Let’s dance. | shall we? |
| Let’s start the meeting. | shall we? |
| Let’s take a break. | shall we? |
| Let’s try again. | shall we? |
| Don’t be late. | will you? |
| Don’t worry. | will you? |
| Don’t do that. | will you? |
| Pass me the salt. | will you? |
| Listen carefully. | will you? |
| Wait here. | will you? |
| Let’s not argue. | shall we? |
| Let’s invite them. | shall we? |
Usage Rules for Question Tags
The correct usage of question tags involves several key rules. Adhering to these rules ensures that your question tags are grammatically correct and convey the intended meaning.
Rule 1: Polarity Agreement
The most fundamental rule is that the polarity of the question tag should generally be the opposite of the statement. Positive statements take negative tags, and negative statements take positive tags.
This rule helps to confirm information or seek agreement.
Example:
- Positive statement: You are coming, aren’t you?
- Negative statement: You aren’t coming, are you?
Rule 2: Auxiliary Verb Matching
The auxiliary verb in the question tag must match the auxiliary verb in the main statement. If there is no auxiliary verb in the statement, use do, does, or did, depending on the tense and subject.
Example:
- Statement with auxiliary verb: She has arrived, hasn’t she?
- Statement without auxiliary verb: He likes coffee, doesn’t he?
Rule 3: Pronoun Agreement
The pronoun in the question tag must refer back to the subject of the main statement. It should agree in number and gender with the subject.
If the subject is a noun, replace it with the appropriate pronoun.
Example:
- Statement with noun subject: John is here, isn’t he?
- Statement with pronoun subject: She is ready, isn’t she?
Rule 4: Special Cases
There are a few special cases that require specific question tags:
- Imperative sentences: Use “will you?” or “won’t you?” (e.g., Open the door, will you?)
- Sentences with “Let’s”: Use “shall we?” (e.g., Let’s go, shall we?)
- Sentences with “There is/are”: Use “there” as the pronoun (e.g., There is a problem, isn’t there?)
- Sentences with indefinite pronouns (everyone, somebody, etc.): Use “they” as the pronoun (e.g., Everyone is here, aren’t they?)
Rule 5: “Am I” Exception
The question tag for “I am” is “aren’t I?”. This is an exception to the usual rule of using the same auxiliary verb.
Example:
- I am right, aren’t I?
Rule 6: Negative Adverbs
If a statement contains a negative adverb such as never, hardly, scarcely, or rarely, treat the statement as negative and use a positive question tag.
Example:
- He never comes on time, does he?
- She hardly studies, does she?
Common Mistakes with Question Tags
Even with a good understanding of the rules, it’s easy to make mistakes with question tags. Here are some common errors to watch out for:
Mistake 1: Incorrect Polarity
One of the most common mistakes is using the wrong polarity in the question tag. This usually involves using a positive tag after a positive statement or a negative tag after a negative statement.
Incorrect: You are coming, are you?
Correct: You are coming, aren’t you?
Incorrect: You aren’t coming, aren’t you?
Correct: You aren’t coming, are you?
Mistake 2: Incorrect Auxiliary Verb
Using the wrong auxiliary verb in the question tag is another frequent error. This can happen when the speaker doesn’t correctly identify the auxiliary verb in the main statement or when they forget to use do, does, or did when there is no auxiliary verb.
Incorrect: She likes coffee, is she?
Correct: She likes coffee, doesn’t she?
Incorrect: They have arrived, do they?
Correct: They have arrived, haven’t they?
Mistake 3: Incorrect Pronoun
Using the wrong pronoun in the question tag can also lead to errors. This often happens when the speaker doesn’t correctly identify the subject of the main statement or when they forget to use “they” with indefinite pronouns.
Incorrect: John is here, isn’t it?
Correct: John is here, isn’t he?
Incorrect: Everyone is coming, isn’t he?
Correct: Everyone is coming, aren’t they?
Mistake 4: Forgetting Special Cases
Forgetting the special cases, such as the “aren’t I?” tag for “I am” or the “shall we?” tag for “Let’s,” is another common mistake.
Incorrect: I am right, am I?
Correct: I am right, aren’t I?
Incorrect: Let’s go, will we?
Correct: Let’s go, shall we?
Practice Exercises
Test your knowledge of question tags with these practice exercises. Fill in the blanks with the correct question tag.
Exercise 1: Basic Question Tags
| Statement | Question Tag | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| You are a student, ________? | aren’t you? | |
| She is not happy, ________? | is she? | |
| They have finished, ________? | haven’t they? | |
| He can swim, ________? | can’t he? | |
| We should go, ________? | shouldn’t we? | |
| It is raining, ________? | isn’t it? | |
| You were there, ________? | weren’t you? | |
| She wasn’t late, ________? | was she? | |
| They haven’t left, ________? | have they? | |
| He couldn’t hear, ________? | could he? |
Exercise 2: Simple Present and Past
| Statement | Question Tag | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| You like chocolate, ________? | don’t you? | |
| She plays the guitar, ________? | doesn’t she? | |
| They went to the park, ________? | didn’t they? | |
| He doesn’t know, ________? | does he? | |
| We didn’t see it, ________? | did we? | |
| It rains a lot here, ________? | doesn’t it? | |
| You live in London, ________? | don’t you? | |
| She studies hard, ________? | doesn’t she? | |
| They arrived early, ________? | didn’t they? | |
| He didn’t call, ________? | did he? |
Exercise 3: Imperatives and “Let’s”
| Statement | Question Tag | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| Open the window, ________? | will you? | |
| Let’s go to the beach, ________? | shall we? | |
| Don’t be late, ________? | will you? | |
| Help me, ________? | will you? | |
| Let’s eat dinner, ________? | shall we? | |
| Close the door, ________? | will you? | |
| Let’s not forget, ________? | shall we? | |
| Be quiet, ________? | will you? | |
| Let’s dance, ________? | shall we? | |
| Don’t worry, ________? | will you? |
Advanced Topics in Question Tags
For advanced learners, there are some more nuanced aspects of question tag usage to consider. These topics delve into the subtleties of meaning and context.
Intonation and Meaning
The intonation used when speaking a question tag can significantly alter its meaning. A rising intonation (where your voice goes up at the end) indicates a genuine question, seeking confirmation.
A falling intonation (where your voice goes down at the end) suggests that the speaker already knows the answer and is simply seeking agreement or making a rhetorical point.
Example:
- “It’s a nice day, isn’t it? (rising intonation)” – Genuinely asking for confirmation.
- “It’s a nice day, isn’t it? (falling intonation)” – Expecting agreement, almost a statement.
Rhetorical Question Tags
Sometimes, question tags are used rhetorically, not to seek information but to emphasize a point or express surprise or disbelief. In these cases, the intonation is usually strong and the polarity may not follow the usual rules.
Example:
- “He’s leaving already, is he?” (expressing surprise)
- “So, you think you’re clever, do you?” (challenging someone)
Question Tags with “I Think” Clauses
When a statement includes “I think,” the question tag is usually based on the clause following “I think,” not on “I think” itself.
Example:
- “I think he’s coming, isn’t he?” (tag based on “he’s coming”)
Using “Is it?” as a General Tag
In very informal speech, “is it?” can sometimes be used as a general question tag, regardless of the preceding statement. However, this is not considered grammatically correct and should be used sparingly.
Example:
- “So, you went to the store, is it?” (very informal)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about question tags, along with detailed answers to help clarify any remaining points.
Q1: What is the purpose of using question tags?
A1: Question tags serve several purposes. Primarily, they turn statements into questions, inviting confirmation or agreement from the listener.
They make conversations more engaging and interactive. They can also be used to soften a statement, express surprise, or challenge assumptions, depending on the intonation and context.
Q2: Why is the “I am” question tag “aren’t I?”
A2: The question tag “aren’t I?” is an exception to the general rule of using the same auxiliary verb. This is because “amn’t I?” is considered grammatically incorrect in standard English.
“Aren’t I?” has become the accepted and widely used form over time, despite its irregularity.
Q3: What do I do when the subject is “this” or “that”?
A3: When the subject of the sentence is “this” or “that,” the pronoun in the question tag is usually “it.” For example, “This is your book, isn’t it?” or “That was a great movie, wasn’t it?”
Q4: How do I handle sentences with negative adverbs like “never” or “hardly”?
A4: If a statement contains a negative adverb such as never, hardly, scarcely, or rarely, treat the statement as negative and use a positive question tag. For example, “He never comes on time, does he?” or “She hardly studies, does she?”
Q5: Can the meaning of a question tag change based on intonation?
A5: Yes, intonation plays a crucial role in conveying the meaning of a question tag. A rising intonation indicates a genuine question, seeking confirmation.
A falling intonation suggests that the speaker already knows the answer and is simply seeking agreement or making a rhetorical point.
Q6: What is the correct question tag for “There is” or “There are” statements?
A6: When a statement starts with “There is” or “There are,” the pronoun in the question tag is “there.” For example, “There is a problem, isn’t there?” or “There are many people here, aren’t there?”
Q7: How do I use question tags with imperative sentences?
A7: Imperative sentences (commands or requests) use the question tag “will you?” or “won’t you?”. “Will you?” is generally used for polite requests, while “won’t you?” can be used to express impatience or mild annoyance.
For example, “Open the window, will you?” or “Stop talking, won’t you?”
Q8: What pronoun should I use if the subject is ‘everybody’ or ‘nobody’?
A8: With indefinite pronouns like ‘everybody’, ‘everybody’, ‘someone’, ‘somebody’, ‘no one’, or ‘nobody’, use ‘they’ in the question tag. For example: “Everybody is ready, aren’t they?”.
Conclusion
Mastering question tags is an essential step in achieving fluency and accuracy in English. By understanding the rules governing their structure and usage, you can enhance your communication skills and engage more effectively in conversations.
Remember to pay close attention to polarity agreement, auxiliary verb matching, and pronoun agreement. Practice regularly with various examples and exercises to solidify your knowledge.
Question tags are not just grammatical tools; they are also social tools that can help you build rapport and connect with others. By using them correctly and confidently, you can make your English sound more natural and engaging.
Keep practicing, and soon you’ll be using question tags like a native speaker!