English — Grammar: Tag Questions (Formation and Rules) — 2nd Year Middle School — Algerian Curriculum

Tag Questions (Formation and Rules)

Tag questions are short questions added at the end of a sentence. We use them to check information, ask for agreement, or confirm what we think is true.

Formation Rules

Rule 1: If the main sentence is affirmative, the tag is negative.
Rule 2: If the main sentence is negative, the tag is affirmative.
Rule 3: The tag uses the same auxiliary verb as the main sentence (or do/does/did if there is no auxiliary).

Examples :
– You are a student, aren”t you?
– She isn”t at home, is she?
– They live in Algiers, don”t they?
– He doesn”t like coffee, does he?
– You went to school yesterday, didn”t you?

Special Cases

With “I am” : I am tall, aren”t I? (not “amn”t I”)
With “let”s” : Let”s go, shall we?
With imperative : Open the door, will you? / Don”t be late, will you?
With “there is/are” : There is a book, isn”t there? / There are some chairs, aren”t there?

Intonation

When you are sure of the answer, use a falling intonation (voice goes down).
When you are not sure, use a rising intonation (voice goes up).

Exercises

1. Add the correct tag question: “You like pizza, _____?”
2. Complete: “She doesn”t speak French, _____?”
3. Correct the mistakes: “I am late, amn”t I?”
4. Write 5 tag questions about your daily life.

See also Modal Verbs and First Conditional.