Tag questions

Tag questions

Grammar unit 1

Tag questions are common in everyday conversation. You can use a tag question to keep a conversation going by asking a person for her opinion about a situation.

Tag questions are formed by adding a short yes/no question at the end of a statement.

If the statement is positive, the tag question is negative.

[ Starting a new job is exciting, isn't it? [ They're moving to a new house, aren't they?

If the statement is negative, the tag question is positive.

[ Sabrina's not working today, is she? [ They're not coming to class, are they?

The subject of a tag question is the pronoun form of the subject of the statement.

[ You're starting your own business, aren't you? [ John went to Australia, didn't he? [ Your friends all have jobs, don't they?

The verb in a tag question is a form or part of the main verb in the statement. If the statement contains an auxiliary verb or modal, use the auxiliary verb or modal in the tag question.

[ They're curious about the world, aren't they? [ All low-paid workers should get a raise, shouldn't they? [ You haven't told anyone you're leaving, have you?

If the statement does not contain an auxiliary verb or modal, use a form of do in the tag question.

[ Your boss trusts you, doesn't he? [ The crisis got better, didn't it?

That's all!