Page 29 - Grasp English B1 (Grammar Book)
P. 29
In the School Canteen 4
Question tags
a. Asking tag questions b. Answering question tags
We use question tags (or tag questions) to ask We answer a tag question according to the truth of
for confirmation. They mean something like Is the situation. The answer should express the real fact.
that right? or Do you agree? Question tags aren’t real questions; in other words, the
To make a tag (mini question), we use the questioner already knows the answer.
auxiliary (or modal) verb of the main clause. e.g.
If there is no auxiliary, we can use do, does, a. The earth revolves around the sun, doesn’t it?
or did. Then, a subject pronoun (instead of – Yes (it does).
the subject of the main clause) follows the b. The earth doesn’t revolve around the sun, does it?
auxiliary verb.
– Yes, it does.
e.g. (These questions above are equivalent to Does
It is a nice day, isn’t it? earth revolve around the sun? So, both have the
They work in a lab, don’t they? same answer: Yes – because they are true.)
Sherman didn’t look so sad, did he? c. The earth revolves around the moon, doesn’t it?
We can enter that building, can’t we?
– No (it doesn’t)
With a main affirmative sentence, we make d. The earth doesn’t revolve around the moon, does it?
a negative tag, and with a negative main – No, it doesn’t.
sentence, we make an affirmative tag.
(These questions above are equivalent to Does
earth revolve around the moon? Both have the
Affirmative statement Negative tag
same answer: No – because the statement is
Ron enjoys sailing, doesn’t he? wrong.)
H. Complete the following sentences with the correct
Negative statement Affirmative tag
question tag.
Ron doesn’t enjoy sailing, does he?
Example: You made a big mistake, didn’t you ?
Note: The following examples are negative in 1. Teachers work very hard, ?
meaning, so they take affirmative tags. 2. She isn’t married, ?
e.g. 3. You didn’t finish all the cake, ?
Eve never eats bacon, does she?
Craig hardly ever arrived late, did he? 4. Tom doesn’t work here anymore, ?
With affirmative and negative imperatives, we 5. She was in London last year, ?
usually use will/would. It has a similar meaning 6. The plane will take off on time, ?
to please.
7. Harriet sings very well, ?
e.g.
Pass me the salt, will/would you? 8. Nobody saw us, ?
(polite request) 9. You won’t dance with her, ?
Don’t cheat me again, will you? 10. Your father speaks English well, ?
(negative imperative)
11. Sue can go out at night, ?
Notice the other usages below:
12. You weren’t at home last night, ?
e.g.
I’m the winner, aren’t I? 13. He arrived late again, ?
There is a cosy hotel around here, isn’t there? 14. Let’s have a drink, ?
Let’s have a break, shall we? 15. You will call me, ?
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