English — Grammar: Question Tags — 2nd Year Literary Stream — Algeria

Question Tags

Introduction

Question tags are short questions added at the end of a sentence. They are used to confirm information or seek agreement. In spoken English, question tags are very common. The structure depends on the auxiliary verb and the polarity of the main sentence.

Formation

If the main sentence is positive, the tag is negative. If the main sentence is negative, the tag is positive. Use the same auxiliary verb as in the main sentence. If there is no auxiliary, use do/does/did.

Examples: “You are a student, aren't you?” “She isn't coming, is she?” “They live in Algiers, don't they?” “He didn't call, did he?“

Special Cases

• I am → aren't I? (not amn't I): “I am late, aren't I?”
• Let's → shall we?: “Let's go, shall we?”
• Imperatives: “Open the door, will you?” / “Don't be late, will you?”
• Nothing/Nobody (negative): “Nobody came, did they?”

Intonation

Rising intonation: asking for confirmation (genuine question). Falling intonation: asking for agreement (expecting the answer to be yes).

Exercises

Add question tags: “She can speak English, _____?” “You haven't finished, _____?” “Let's have lunch, _____?”

Summary

Question tags confirm or seek agreement. For more grammar: Conditional Sentences – 2nd Year – Comparative and Superlative – 2nd Year

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