Question Tags Definition and Usage Question tag is

Question Tags

Definition and Usage • Question tag is a short question that is put at the end of a sentence. • Question tag turn a sentence into a statement. • It is used to confirm that a statement is correct or not. 2

1 The Rules of Making a Question Tag 3

▹ If the statement is positive, the tag is negative. Example: Statement : We are students. Question tag : We are students, aren’t we? Statement : She is a doctor. Question tag : She is a doctor, isn’t she? Positive Statement 4

▹ If the statement is negative, the tag is positive. Example: Statement : We are not students. Question tag : We are not students, are we? Statement : She is not a doctor. Question tag : She is not a doctor, is she? Negative Statement 5

With Auxiliary Verbs 6

▹ If the statement contains an auxiliary verb, the question tag uses the same auxiliary verb. Statement : Anna has finished her homework. Question tag : Anna has finished her homework, hasn’t she? Statement : We are going to Bali tomorrow. Question tag : We are going to Bali tomorrow, aren’t we? With Auxiliary Verbs 7

Statement : He had met him before. Question tag : He had met him before, hadn’t he? Statement : They weren’t here last night. Question tag : They weren’t here last night, were they? Statement : I am your best friend. Question tag : I am your best friend, aren’t I? With Auxiliary Verbs 8

Without Auxiliary Verbs 9

▹ If the statement doesn’t have any auxiliary verb, the question tag uses the appropriate “do” form. If the statement is in simple present. Statement : I usually wake up at 5 a. m. Question tag : I usually wake up at 5 a. m. , don’t I? Statement : Andrew works in a department store. Question tag : Andrew works in a department store, doesn’t he? Without Auxiliary Verbs 10

If the statement is in simple past. Statement : They sold their house. Question tag : They sold their house, didn’t they? Statement : Mary went shopping yesterday. Question tag : Mary went shopping yesterday, didn’t she? Statement : You didn’t believe the story. Question tag : You didn’t believe the story, did you? Without Auxiliary Verbs 11

With Modal Verbs 12

If the statement has a modal verb, the question tag uses the same modal verb. Statement : Anggun cannot play musical instruments. Question tag : Anggun cannot play musical instruments, can she? Statement : Mr. Lanin will be here by 8. Question tag : Mr. Lanin will be here by 8, won’t he? With Modal Verbs 13

Positive Negative can Can’t could Couldn’t will Won’t would Wouldn’t must Mustn’t should Shouldn’t shall Shan’t might Mightn’t Positive and Negative Forms of Modal Verbs 14

With negative words 15

Some words contain negative meaning. If the statement has this negative word, the question tag is positive. Example of negative words: Never not any time Barely almost not Scarcely Hardly almost not Other negative words: nobody, no one, nothing With Negative Words 16

Statement : Justin never sleeps before midnight. Question tag : Justin never sleeps before midnight, does he? Statement : Nothing bad happened. Question tag : Nothing bad happened, did it? Statement : She hardly ever calls you. Question tag : She hardly ever calls you, does she? With Negative Words 17

With Particular Subjects 18

If the statement begins with this/that, the question tag uses pronoun “it”. Statement : This is your car. Question tag : This is your car, isn’t it? If the subject is somebody, everyone, someone, nobody, no one, the question tag uses pronoun “they”. Statement : Somebody took my phone. Question tag : Somebody took my phone, didn’t they? With Particular Subjects 19

If the subject is something, everything, and nothing, the question tag uses pronoun “it”. Statement : Something is moving. Question tag : Something is moving, isn’t it? Statement : Everything should be ready. Question tag : Everything should be ready, shouldn’t it? With Particular Subjects 20

With Let’s 21

If the statement begins with “Let’s” which means to invite someone to do something, the tag uses “shall we”. Statement : Let’s do this. Question tag : Let’s do this, shall we? Statement : Let’s grab some drinks. Question tag : Let’s grab some drinks, shall we? With Let’s 22

With Imperative Sentence 23

Imperative sentence is a command. If the statement is an imperative sentence, the question tag uses “will you” or “can you”. Statement : Pick up the phone. Question tag : Pick up the phone, can you? Statement : Clean the house while I’m gone. Question tag : Clean the house while I’m gone, will you? With Imperative Sentence 24

EXERCISE 1. They are your classmates, _______? 2. I can sing perfectly, ______? 3. Her hobby is cooking, ______? 4. No one will come to his party, ______? 5. Nicholas has spent all his money, ______? 6. Bobi didn’t care about his career, ______? 7. She doesn’t cook very well, ______? 8. We can go to the cinema tomorrow if you want, ______? 9. John smokes a lot, ______? 10. Let’s have some dance, ______?

11. You have seen this film, ______? 12. You’re seeing Kevin next week, ______? 13. That was an interesting trip, ______? 14. Your brother isn’t married, ______? 15. He won’t tell her, ______? 16. She went to the library yesterday, _______? 17. I’m the one who can solve it, ______? 18. She studies hard every night, ______? 19. David and Julie don’t take French class, _____? 20. Everybody will leave at 6, ______? 21. You never say what you are doing, _____? 22. Close the window, ______?

23. Somebody wanted a pizza, ______? 24. There weren’t any issues, _____? 25. Angelina visited you last week, _____? 26. I am right, _____? 27. I’m not a singer, ______? 28. Gerald is not a good person, ______? 29. You forgot to call me, ______? 30. No one likes to go there, _______? 31. We must bring the ticket, _______? 32. Luna hardly speaks her native language, ______? 33. Carol thinks the earth is round, _____? 34. Tom doesn’t own the apartment, _______?

35. He has left the room, ______? 36. It works, ______? 37. This is your lost pen, _____? 38. They never walk to work, ______? 39. It is a lovely day, ______? 40. I was late, ______? 41. It should be finished by now, ______? 42. No one in this room heard the voice, ______? 43. Turn off the lamp, ______? 44. Everything will be okay, ______? 45. Let’s eat dinner together, ______? 46. You said you can operate this machine, ______?