Question Tags

Question tags are common in everyday speech and in informal writing. They are used to check whether something is true (the speaker expresses their uncertainty) or to ask for agreement. 

Examples where a common pattern can be followed, pay attention which part of the sentence is positive and which negative, auxiliary verbs are marked in red and subjects (alus) in green. 

1) You have seen this film, haven't you? (sentence itself is positive, question tag is negative)

2) The tea isn't very nice, is it? ( negative sentence, positive tag)

3) They liked the film, didn't they? 

4) You've met Jo before, haven't you?

5) The firemen can see our car, can't they?

6) There wasn't anybody present, was there?

More difficult sentences

1) I am saying it correctly, aren't I? (BUT => I'm not saying it correctly, am I?

2) Interesting game, isn't it?

3) Nobody phoned last night, did they?

4) It has hardly rained all summer, has it? (PS! "hardly" gives a negative meaning to the sentence, that's why tag is positive)

5) Nothing matters to you, does it?

6) Somebody's forgotten their coat, haven't they?

7) Don't shout at me, will you? (With negative commands use will!)

8) Let's go home, shall we?  (Let's = Let us)

Let's practise

CLICK HERE: Multiple choice

CLICK HERE: A matching exercise

CLICK HERE: Type question tags

CLICK HERE: 10 sentences