Question Tags
By
Achile Talle
What is a
Question Tag?
• - A short question added
at the end of a statement.
• - Used to confirm
information, ask for
agreement, or encourage
a response.
• Example: You’re coming
to the party, aren’t you?
How are Question Tags Formed?
- Positive statement → Negative tag.
- Negative statement → Positive tag.
Examples:
- She is a doctor, isn’t she?
- They aren’t ready, are they?
Structure of a Question Tag
- Auxiliary verb + Subject pronoun.
- If no auxiliary verb, use do/does/did.
Examples:
- He plays football, doesn’t he?
- You didn’t call her, did you?
How to answer
Question tags
• Question: Bob is your brother, isn’t he?
• Answer: Yes, he is.
• Question: You speak English, don’t you?
• Answer: Yes, I do
• Question: Your mother will not miss the
party, will she?
• Answer: No, she won’t
Common Auxiliary Verbs in Tags
is/are/am → isn’t/aren’t/am not?
was/were → wasn’t/weren’t
have/has/had → haven’t/hasn’t/hadn’t
can/could → can’t/couldn’t
will/would → won’t/wouldn’t
do/does/did → don’t/doesn’t/didn’t
- Imperatives: Close
the window, will you?
- Let's: Let's go,
Special shall we?
Cases - "I am": I am
late, aren’t I?
- Intonation: Rising
tone (not sure), Falling
tone (expect
agreement).
Exercise 1 - Complete the Tags
1. Ani is your sister, __________?
2. Students aren’t tired, _________?
3. You play the guitar, __________?
4. We didn’t forget the keys, __________?
5. His brother can swim well, __________?
Exercise 2 – True or False
1. You are a teacher, aren't we?
2. He likes football, does he?
3. They will be coming tomorrow, will they?
4. You have been here before, haven’t you?
5. She can’t play the piano, can she?
Exercise 3 – Speaking Practice with a
friend - Make your own question tags
DISCUSS ABOUT YOUR
PREFERENCES
EXAMPLE: YOU LOVE
CHOCOLATE, DON’T
YOU?
Exercise 4 - Match
Match the beginnings with the correct tags:
• It’s cold - do you?
She sings well - didn’t they?
• You don’t like fish - isn’t it?
• We are ready - doesn’t she?
• They went home - aren’t we?