Question Tags in English Grammar With Examples | 10 Secret Rules | English Grammar Lesson
Question tags are short phrases added to the end of a statement to turn it into a question. They are a key feature of English conversation, used to confirm information, check understanding, or seek agreement. Mastering question tags makes your spoken English more fluent and natural. In this lesson, we’ll explore 10 secret rules and examples to help you use question tags confidently.
Table of Contents
- What are Question Tags?
- Why Use Question Tags?
- 10 Secret Rules for Question Tags
- Examples of Question Tags
- Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
- Practice Exercises
What are Question Tags?
A question tag is a short question added to a statement to confirm or clarify it. For example:
- It’s a nice day, isn’t it?
- You don’t like coffee, do you?
The question tag reflects the subject and verb of the main sentence but is usually in the opposite polarity (affirmative/negative).
Why Use Question Tags?
- Confirmation: To confirm what you believe is true.
- You’re coming to the party, aren’t you?
- Seeking Agreement: To involve the listener and make the conversation interactive.
- This is a beautiful painting, isn’t it?
- Politeness: To soften commands or suggestions.
- Pass me the salt, won’t you?
10 Secret Rules for Question Tags
| Rule | Explanation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Match the Auxiliary Verb | Use the same auxiliary verb as in the statement. | She is happy, isn’t she? |
| 2. Opposite Polarity | Use a negative tag after a positive statement, and vice versa. | You’re ready, aren’t you? / You aren’t ready, are you? |
| 3. Use “do/does/did” in Simple Tenses | In simple present or past tense without an auxiliary, use “do/does/did.” | He works here, doesn’t he? / They left, didn’t they? |
| 4. Subject Agreement | The tag must match the subject of the main clause. | John likes coffee, doesn’t he? |
| 5. Imperatives Use “will/won’t” | Use “will” or “won’t” for imperatives. | Open the window, will you? / Don’t be late, will you? |
| 6. “Let’s” Uses “shall we” | After “Let’s,” use “shall we” in the tag. | Let’s go for a walk, shall we? |
| 7. “There” as Subject | Use “there” in the question tag when it’s the subject of the sentence. | There’s a problem, isn’t there? |
| 8. Negative Words Act as Negatives | Words like “never,” “nobody,” and “nothing” are treated as negative. | Nobody called, did they? |
| 9. Use “It” for Weather/Time | Use “it” in the tag for sentences about weather or time. | It’s raining, isn’t it? / It’s late, isn’t it? |
| 10. “I am” Uses “aren’t I” | The tag for “I am” is “aren’t I.” | I’m on time, aren’t I? |
Examples of Question Tags
Positive Statement + Negative Tag
- You’re coming, aren’t you?
- She knows the answer, doesn’t she?
- They were excited, weren’t they?
Negative Statement + Positive Tag
- You don’t like tea, do you?
- He isn’t coming, is he?
- They hadn’t arrived yet, had they?
Special Cases
- Let’s eat, shall we?
- Don’t forget, will you?
- There’s a solution, isn’t there?
- Nobody helped, did they?
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
| Mistake | Why It’s Wrong | Correct Version |
|---|---|---|
| She doesn’t like tea, isn’t she? | Incorrect verb agreement. | She doesn’t like tea, does she? |
| Let’s go to the park, won’t we? | “Won’t we” is incorrect after “Let’s.” | Let’s go to the park, shall we? |
| He’s your brother, doesn’t he? | Incorrect auxiliary verb. | He’s your brother, isn’t he? |
Practice Exercises
Convert the following sentences into statements with question tags:
- They are your friends.
- She hasn’t finished her homework.
- You will help me with this.
- Let’s try the new restaurant.
- It’s cold outside.
Answers:
- They are your friends, aren’t they?
- She hasn’t finished her homework, has she?
- You will help me with this, won’t you?
- Let’s try the new restaurant, shall we?
- It’s cold outside, isn’t it?
Mastering question tags requires practice and attention to detail. By following these 10 secret rules and examples, you’ll be able to use question tags naturally and effectively in your conversations.
What’s your favorite rule for question tags? Let us know in the comments below!
