Question tags

◊ GRAMMAR

A question tag is a short phrase that you add to the end of a statement to turn it into a `yes/no'-question. You usually do this when you expect the other person to agree with the statement. For example, if you say `It's cold, isn't it?', you expect the other person to say `Yes'.

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You form a question tag by using the same auxiliary verb or form of `be' as in the statement, followed by a personal pronoun. The pronoun refers to the subject of the statement.

You've never been to Benidorm, have you?

David's school is quite nice, isn't it?

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If the statement does not contain an auxiliary or `be', the verb `do' is used in the question tag.

You like it here, don't you?

He played for Ireland, didn't he?

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Note that you usually add a negative tag to a positive statement, and a positive tag to a negative statement. However, you add a positive tag to a positive statement when checking that you have guessed something correctly, or to show interest, surprise, or anger.

You've been to North America before, have you?

You fell on your back, did you?

Oh, he wants us to make films as well, does he?

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If you add a tag to a statement that contains a broad negative such as `hardly', `rarely', or `seldom', the tag is normally positive, as it is with other negatives.

She's hardly the right person for the job, is she?

You seldom see that sort of thing these days, do you?

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If you are making a statement about yourself and you want to check if the person you are talking to has the same opinion or feeling, you can put a tag with `you' after your statement.

I think this is the best thing, don't you?

I love tea, don't you?

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For examples of the use of question tags, see entries at ↑ Agreeing and disagreeing; ↑ Invitations; ↑ Requests, orders, and instructions; and ↑ Suggestions.

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