Hello, Students!

Today, we are going to learn about Question Tags! These are little questions we often add at the end of a sentence to confirm information, seek agreement, or simply keep a conversation going. They’re a great way to engage with others in English, so let’s dive in!

What is a Question Tag?

A Question Tag is a short question added at the end of a statement. It usually consists of a verb (like is, are, do, don’t, will, won’t) and a pronoun (like he, she, they).

Examples:

• You are coming to the party, aren’t you?
• She can speak French, can’t she?

Why Do We Use Question Tags?

1. To Confirm Information:
   • It’s raining, isn’t it?
2. To Seek Agreement or Opinion:
   • You like pizza, don’t you?
3. To Encourage a Response:
   • This is interesting, isn’t it?

How to Form Question Tags:

The basic rule is simple:

• If the main sentence is positive, the question tag is negative.
• She is coming, isn’t she?
• If the main sentence is negative, the question tag is positive.
• He isn’t busy, is he?

Structure of Question Tags:

1. Positive Statement + Negative Tag:
   • You are a student, aren’t you?
2. Negative Statement + Positive Tag:
   • You aren’t tired, are you?
3. Use the Auxiliary Verb of the Sentence:
   • If the sentence uses an auxiliary verb (like is, are, have, will), use that in the tag.
   • She has finished her work, hasn’t she?
   • They were at the meeting, weren’t they?
4. Use “Do” for Simple Present/Past:

For sentences without an auxiliary verb, use do/does (for present) or did (for past).

• You like ice cream, don’t you?
• He watched the movie, didn’t he?

Common Question Tags in English:

Special Cases with Question Tags:

1. Imperative Sentences (Commands or Requests):
   Use will you? or won’t you? for polite requests or suggestions.
   • Open the door, will you?
   • Let’s dance, shall we?
2. With “I am”:
   The tag for “I am” is aren’t I?
   • I am on time, aren’t I?
3. With Negative Adverbs (like never, hardly, scarcely, rarely):
   Treat the sentence as if it’s negative.
   • She hardly speaks, does she?

Practice Exercise:

Convert the following sentences by adding suitable question tags:

1. You are ready, _________?
2. He didn’t call you, _________?
3. They have a meeting, _________?
4. Let’s try it, _________?
5. You haven’t been there, _________?

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

• Confusing the Pronouns: Make sure the pronoun in the question tag matches the subject.
• Incorrect: John is here, isn’t she?
• Correct: John is here, isn’t he?
• Using the Wrong Auxiliary Verb: Use the correct auxiliary verb from the main statement.
• Incorrect: She likes coffee, isn’t she?
• Correct: She likes coffee, doesn’t she?

Conclusion:

Question Tags are a great tool to confirm information, engage with someone in a conversation, or encourage a response. Remember, the key is to match the tag with the statement’s form — positive or negative, and use the correct auxiliary verb.

Homework:

Create 10 sentences of your own and add appropriate question tags. Try to include a mix of statements — some positive, some negative, and some using different tenses!

Keep practicing, and soon you’ll be using question tags with confidence!