Question Tag

A question tag is a short question added to the end of a statement. It is used to confirm information, ask for agreement, or check if something is true.

In simple words, a question tag turns a statement into a short question.

Example:

• You are happy, aren’t you?


• She likes coffee, doesn’t she?

Purpose of Question Tags

Question tags are used in everyday English for several reasons:

1. To confirm information


2. To ask for agreement


3. To make conversation more friendly


4. To check if something is correct

Examples:

• You finished your homework, didn’t you?


• It is raining, isn’t it?

Structure of Question Tags

A question tag has two parts:

1. Statement


2. Tag question

Structure:

Statement + comma + auxiliary verb + subject pronoun

Example:

• She is a teacher, isn’t she?


• They play football, don’t they?

Main Rule of Question Tags

Rule 1: Positive statement → Negative question tag

If the statement is positive, the question tag becomes negative.

Examples:

• You are tired, aren’t you?


• She likes music, doesn’t she?


• They live here, don’t they?

Example sentences:

• He works hard, doesn’t he?


• We can go now, can’t we?

Rule 2: Negative statement → Positive question tag

If the statement is negative, the question tag becomes positive.

Examples:

• You are not busy, are you?


• She doesn’t like tea, does she?


• They didn’t come, did they?

Example sentences:

• He isn’t ready, is he?


• We don’t need help, do we?

Rule 3: Use the Same Auxiliary Verb

The auxiliary verb in the statement must appear in the question tag.

Examples:

Example sentences:

• She is your friend, isn’t she?


• They are playing football, aren’t they?

Rule 4: If There Is No Auxiliary Verb, Use “Do / Does / Did”

If the sentence does not have an auxiliary verb, we use do, does, or did.

Examples:

Example sentences:

• You understand the lesson, don’t you?


• She loves music, doesn’t she?

Rule 5: The Subject in Tag Must Be a Pronoun

The subject in the question tag must be a pronoun, not a noun.

Examples:

Statement:

• Ravi is coming.

Question tag:

• Ravi is coming, isn’t he?

Example sentences:

• The teacher is here, isn’t she?


• The students are ready, aren’t they?

Rule 6: “I am” → “aren’t I?”

Special rule:

• “I am” becomes “aren’t I?”

Examples:

• I am late, aren’t I?


• I am your friend, aren’t I?

Rule 7: Imperative Sentences

Imperative sentences sometimes use will you / won’t you / can you.

Examples:

• Close the door, will you?


• Help me, will you?


• Sit down, won’t you?

Example sentences:

• Open the window, will you?


• Pass the salt, will you?

Rule 8: With “Let’s”

When a sentence begins with “Let’s”, the tag is “shall we?”

Examples:

• Let’s go for a walk, shall we?


• Let’s start the meeting, shall we?

Rule 9: With “Everyone, Someone, Nobody”

When the subject is an indefinite pronoun, the tag usually uses they.

Examples:

• Everyone is ready, aren’t they?


• Someone called you, didn’t they?


• Nobody came, did they?

Common Question Tag Examples

With “be” verbs

• She is happy, isn’t she?


• They are busy, aren’t they?


• He was late, wasn’t he?

With “have”

• You have finished your work, haven’t you?

With “can”

• She can swim, can’t she?

With “will”

• They will come tomorrow, won’t they?

Example Sentences

1. You are tired, aren’t you?

2. She likes chocolate, doesn’t she?

3. They are coming today, aren’t they?

4. He finished the work, didn’t he?

5. We can go now, can’t we?

6. She isn’t angry, is she?

7. They don’t know the answer, do they?

8. He won’t be late, will he?

9. The weather is nice, isn’t it?

10. You live in Chennai, don’t you?

Common Mistakes