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Question Tags

Question Tags

Question Tags (or Tag Questions) are used to check information or to ask for agreement.

 

Question Tags Form:

positive statement

+

negative question tag

negative statement

positive question tag


 

Checking Information

To check information, the tag generally rises in intonation. You are asking a question which requires an answer.

 

Example sentence Answer Notes

You’re American, aren’t you?

Yes, I am.

 

No, I’m not.

Use the same auxiliary verb in the question tag as in the statement.

You live in Japan, don’t you?

Yes, I do.

 

No, I don’t.

Use do in the question tag if there is no auxiliary verb.

 

Asking for Agreement

To ask for agreement, the tag generally has a falling intonation. You are asking a question which does not require an answer. You are making conversation and expect the listener to agree with you.

 

Example sentence Answer Notes

This book isn’t difficult, is it?

No, it isn’t. 

(I agree)

 

Yes, it is. 

(I disagree)

If the statement is negative, then the response is also negative.

It’s a beautiful day, isn’t it?

Yes, it is. 

(I agree)

 

No, it isn’t. 

(I disagree)

If the statement is positive, then the response is also positive.

 

Becki

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