Chapter VIII : Question Tags
Question Tags
Question tags are short questions at
the end of statements.
They are mainly used in speech when
we want to:
· Confirm that something is true or
not.
· Encourage a reply from the person we
are speaking to.
Question tags are formed with the
auxiliary or modal verb from the statement and the appropriate subject.
A.
A positive statement is followed by a
negative question tag.
Examples :
·
You
are from Kalimantan, aren't you?
·
They
can speak Japanese, can't they?
B.
A negative statement is followed by a
positive question tag.
Examples:
· Jack aren't ugly, are he?
· She shouldn't be like this, should she?
C.
When the verb in the main sentence is
in the present simple we form the question tag with do / does.
Examples :
· You eat the cake, don't you?
· He loves you, doesn't he?
D.
If the verb is in the past simple we
use did.
Examples :
· They went to the court, didn't they?
· Nana studied in Oxford, didn't she?
E.
When the statement contains a word
with a negative meaning, the question tag needs to be positive
Examples :
·
He
hardly ever speaks, does he?
·
They
rarely eat in restaurants, do they?
F.
Exceptions
Some verbs / expressions have different question tags.
Examples:
· I am - I am handsome, aren't I?
· Positive imperative - Stop crying,
will / won't you?
· Negative imperative - Don't stop working,
will you?
· Let's - Let's eat the food, shall we?
· Have got (possession) - He has got a motorcycle,
hasn't he?
· There is / are - There aren't any bugs
in the garage, are there?
· This / that is - This is your bag,
isn't it?
G.
Intonation
1.
When we are sure of the answer and we are simply encouraging a response,
the intonation in the question tag goes down.
Examples :
· This is her house, isn't it? (Your
voice goes down when you say isn't it.)
2.
When we are not sure and want to check information, the intonation in the
question tag goes up.
Examples :
· He is diligent, isn't he? (Your voice
goes up when you say isn't he.)
Source :
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