GV

Question Tags

Short questions at the end of statements: isn't it?, don't you?, can't she?

intermediate

When to Use Question Tags

  • •Confirming information: You're coming, aren't you?
  • •Seeking agreement: It's a nice day, isn't it?
  • •Softening statements: That was difficult, wasn't it?
  • •Positive statement → negative tag: She's here, isn't she?
  • •Negative statement → positive tag: You don't like it, do you?

How to Form Question Tags

Affirmative (+)

Positive statement + negative tag (auxiliary + n't + pronoun)

Negative (-)

Negative statement + positive tag (auxiliary + pronoun)

Question (?)

Tags are mini-questions at the end

💡 Use same auxiliary as main clause. No auxiliary? Use do/does/did. I am → aren't I (exception).

Examples of Question Tags

✓She can swim, can't she?

✗She can swim, can she?

Positive statement needs negative tag.

✓They don't like coffee, do they?

✗They don't like coffee, don't they?

Negative statement needs positive tag.

✓I'm right, aren't I?

✗I'm right, amn't I?

Exception: I am uses aren't I.

Common Mistakes with Question Tags

💡 Practice Tips for Question Tags

  • • Positive statement → negative tag; negative → positive.
  • • Match the auxiliary: is/isn't, can/can't, do/don't.
  • • No auxiliary? Use do/does/did.
  • • Special: I am → aren't I; Let's → shall we.
Quick Quiz
  1. 1.She can swim,  ?
  2. 2.They don't like coffee,  ?
  3. Question 3: I'm right, blank I?
    3.I'm right, I?
  4. Question 4: You like pizza, don't blank? (pronoun)
    4.You like pizza, don't ? (pronoun)
  5. Question 5: She works here, blank she?
    5.She works here, she?
  6. Question 6: Let's go to the cinema, blank we?
    6.Let's go to the cinema, we?
  7. Question 7: He hasn't called yet, blank he?
    7.He hasn't called yet, he?
Grammar sorted. Now grow your vocabulary.

Save the words you meet, review on a smart schedule. Free to start.

Practice this with a real tutor

Just finished Question Tags? Don't let it stay theoretical — book a lesson on Tuton.