A short question at the end
A question tag is a short question added to a statement. We use it to check information (You’re coming, aren’t you?) or to invite agreement (Lovely day, isn’t it?).
You like tea,positive statement
don’t you?negative tag
You don’t like tea,negative statement
do you?positive tag
Rule
How to make a tag
- Positive statement → negative tag: She is tall, isn’t she?
- Negative statement → positive tag: She isn’t tall, is she?
- Use the same auxiliary as in the statement (be, have, can, will, etc.): He can swim, can’t he?
- If there is no auxiliary (present simple) use do / does; (past simple) use did: You like it, don’t you? They left, didn’t they?
- The tag subject is a pronoun: Tom is late, isn’t he? The books are here, aren’t they?
| Statement | Tag |
|---|---|
| It’s cold, | isn’t it? |
| You aren’t tired, | are you? |
| She likes pizza, | doesn’t she? |
| They went home, | didn’t they? |
| He can drive, | can’t he? |
| You’ve finished, | haven’t you? |
| I’m late, | aren’t I? (special case) |
| Let’s go, | shall we? |
| Close the door, | will you? |
Lots of examples
- It’s a beautiful day, isn’t it?Be.
- You don’t smoke, do you?Negative + positive tag.
- She works here, doesn’t she?Present simple.
- They didn’t call, did they?Past simple negative.
- He can’t swim, can he?Modal.
- You’ve met Tom, haven’t you?Present perfect.
- Nobody called, did they?Negative word → positive tag.
- Everyone is here, aren’t they?Everyone → they.
- There are some apples, aren’t there?There.
- Let’s eat out, shall we?Let’s.
- Open the window, will you?Imperative.
- I’m right, aren’t I?I am → aren’t I.
Don’t say / Say
Don’t sayYou like tea, do you?
SayYou like tea, don’t you?Why: Positive statement → negative tag.
Don’t sayShe is late, is she?
SayShe is late, isn’t she?Why: Switch positive and negative.
Don’t sayHe can swim, doesn’t he?
SayHe can swim, can’t he?Why: Use the same auxiliary.
Don’t sayThey went home, weren’t they?
SayThey went home, didn’t they?Why: Past simple → didn’t.
Don’t sayI’m right, amn’t I?
SayI’m right, aren’t I?Why: Special case.