Tag-QuestionsTag-Questions A question added to a declarative sentence, usually at the

end, to engage the listener, verify that something has been understood, or confirm that an action has occurred.

A tag question is used at the end of a A tag question is used at the end of a Statement Sentence to get the confirmation Statement Sentence to get the confirmation from the listener, or just to express one’s from the listener, or just to express one’s doubt. doubt. A question sentence, on the contrary, is used A question sentence, on the contrary, is used to get the answer. to get the answer.

Tag-QuestionsTag-Questions You You are are my student. Statement Sentence my student. Statement Sentence

positivepositive You are You are notnot my student. Statement my student. Statement negativenegative AreAre you my student? Question (interrogative) you my student? Question (interrogative)

You are my student, You are my student, aren’t youaren’t you? Tag-? Tag-questionquestion

Tag-QuestionsTag-Questions Whose books are these? – a true questionWhose books are these? – a true question

These are your books, These are your books, aren’t theyaren’t they? ? -Tag-question – Positive-Tag-question – Positive

These are not your books, These are not your books, are theyare they? ? - Tag-question -- - Tag-question --

NegativeNegative

Tag-QuestionsTag-Questions

Making a tag-question sentence:Making a tag-question sentence:

She She isis your friend your friend,,isn’t sheisn’t she?? A A positive positive tag-question sentence!tag-question sentence!

Tag-QuestionsTag-Questions There are five simple points we should There are five simple points we should

follow when we use a Tag-question: follow when we use a Tag-question: Point 1Point 1 A comma is used between the main A comma is used between the main

sentence and the ‘tag’ part, e.g.sentence and the ‘tag’ part, e.g. This is your book isn’t it?This is your book isn’t it?

Tag-Tag-QuestionsQuestions

Tag-QuestionsTag-Questions Point 2 Point 2 (continued)(continued)

Suresh Suresh has gone home, has gone home, hasn’t ?hasn’t ?‘‘suresh’ – proper noun – male – suresh’ – proper noun – male – singularsingularhehe pronoun – male – singular – subjective casepronoun – male – singular – subjective case

Tag-QuestionTag-Question

Point 2Point 2 (continued)(continued)

Ajay and SwethaAjay and Swetha got their books, got their books, didn’t ?didn’t ?‘‘Ajay and Swetha’Ajay and Swetha’ – Proper nouns – male – – Proper nouns – male – pluralpluraltheytheyPersonal Pronoun – male -- pluralPersonal Pronoun – male -- plural

Tag-QuestionsTag-Questions Point 3Point 3

The verb in the ‘tag’ part depends on the verb The verb in the ‘tag’ part depends on the verb in the main sentence: in the main sentence:

If the verb in the main sentence is in Present If the verb in the main sentence is in Present Tense, the verb in the ‘tag’ part will be in Tense, the verb in the ‘tag’ part will be in Present Tense; and the verb in the main Present Tense; and the verb in the main sentence is in Past Tense, the verb in the ‘tag’ sentence is in Past Tense, the verb in the ‘tag’ part will be in Past, and so on.part will be in Past, and so on.

If the verb in the main sentence is in Positive If the verb in the main sentence is in Positive form, the verb in the ‘tag’ part will be in form, the verb in the ‘tag’ part will be in Negative form.Negative form.

Tag-QuestionsTag-Questions

Point 3Point 3 (continued)(continued) She is your sister, she?She is your sister, she?

““is” – main verb – Simple Present Tense –POSITIVEis” – main verb – Simple Present Tense –POSITIVE

isn’t isn’t – – Simple present tense – NEGATIVE Simple present tense – NEGATIVE

Tag-QuestionsTag-Questions

Point 3Point 3 (continued) (continued)

Suresh hasn’t done his work, Suresh hasn’t done his work, he?he?‘‘hasn’t’ – Present perfect – NEGATIVEhasn’t’ – Present perfect – NEGATIVEhashas

Present perfect Present perfect -- POSITIVE-- POSITIVE

Tag-QuestionsTag-Questions Point 3Point 3 (continued) (continued) Ajay Ajay goesgoes to school, he? to school, he?

‘‘goes’ – Simple present – goes’ – Simple present – POSITIVEPOSITIVE‘‘does not go’ – Simple present – does not go’ – Simple present – NEGATIVENEGATIVE

doesn’tdoesn’tPoint 4Point 4

The negative form of the verb in the ‘tag’ part The negative form of the verb in the ‘tag’ part is always contracted: is always contracted: does not = doesn’t; has not = hasn’t; will not = does not = doesn’t; has not = hasn’t; will not = won’twon’t

Tag-questionsTag-questions Point 3Point 3 (continued) (continued)

Suresh Suresh did not godid not go to school, he? to school, he? ‘‘did not go’ – Simple past – NEGATIVEdid not go’ – Simple past – NEGATIVE

‘‘go’ – Simple past – Positive; go’ – Simple past – Positive; however, in ‘tag’ part, the auxiliary however, in ‘tag’ part, the auxiliary (helping) verb alone is used:(helping) verb alone is used:did did

Tag-questionsTag-questions

• Point 5Point 5 -- Word order -- Word order

• In the statement sentence (in the main In the statement sentence (in the main sentence) the subject comes first and sentence) the subject comes first and the verb comes next; but in the ‘tag’ the verb comes next; but in the ‘tag’ part, the verb comes first and the part, the verb comes first and the subject comes next, just as in the subject comes next, just as in the interrogative sentenceinterrogative sentence

Tag-QuestionTag-Question Point 5Point 5 – word order – word order (continued)(continued)

For example:For example:A woman fainted, didn’t she?A woman fainted, didn’t she?

Main sentenceMain sentence‘‘tag’ parttag’ partSubject first; verb nextSubject first; verb nextVerb first; subject nextVerb first; subject next

Aren’t I

?

amn’t I ?

WILL NOT

YOU ?

Say let’s …If both are in same mood

For urgency… Always ask