Tag questions are a fun and important part of English grammar, especially in spoken English. They are short questions added to the end of a statement. We use them mainly to ask for confirmation or to invite someone to agree with us. They're like saying, "This is what I think, right?"
The Basic Structure
The main rule for forming tag questions is quite simple:
- If the main statement is positive, the tag question is negative.
- Example: You live here, don't you?
- If the main statement is negative, the tag question is positive.
- Example: She isn't a teacher, is she?
Key Rules for Forming Tag Questions
1. Using Auxiliary Verbs
The tag question always uses the same auxiliary (or helping) verb as the main statement.
- With `be` and `have` (as an auxiliary):
- You are from Canada, aren't you?
- He wasn't at the party, was he?
- They have finished their homework, haven't they?
- With modal verbs:
- He can speak French, can't he?
- You won't be late, will you?
2. Using "Do" or "Did"
If the main statement does not have an auxiliary verb (e.g., in the simple present or simple past tense), we use a form of "do" in the tag.
- You like coffee, don't you?
- She works here, doesn't she?
- They went to the beach, didn't they?
3. The Subject Pronoun
The subject of the tag question is always a pronoun that matches the subject of the statement.
- Sarah is a good cook, isn't she?
- The children are sleeping, aren't they?
Special Cases and Exceptions
- The "I am..." exception:
- When the statement is "I am," the tag is almost always "aren't I?"
- With `let's`:
- For suggestions that begin with "Let's," the tag is always "shall we?"
- For imperatives (commands):
- For a command or request, we usually use "will you?" in the tag.
- Sentences with negative words:
- Statements that contain a word with a negative meaning (e.g., `no`, `nothing`, `nobody`, `never`) are considered negative statements. Therefore, the tag question is positive.