Learn and Practice: Understanding Question Tags

Introduction

In English grammar, we often use question tags to seek confirmation or add emphasis to a statement. Question tags are short phrases that we add at the end of a sentence. These tags consist of an auxiliary verb and a pronoun. By using question tags, we can turn a statement into a question or express doubt or surprise. Let’s explore how question tags work in more detail.

Forming Question Tags

To form a question tag, we need to use an auxiliary verb that matches the tense of the main verb in the sentence. If the main verb is in the present tense, we use the auxiliary verb “do” or “does” in the question tag. For example:

“I like ice cream, don’t I?”
“She sings well, doesn’t she?”

If the main verb is in the past tense, we use the auxiliary verb “did” in the question tag. For example:

“He ate dinner, didn’t he?”
“They played soccer, didn’t they?”

Subject Pronouns in Question Tags

The pronoun used in the question tag depends on the subject pronoun in the main sentence. Here are the common subject pronouns and their corresponding question tag pronouns:

Using Question Tags Correctly

1. Agreement with the main verb:
   • When using question tags, it’s important to ensure that the auxiliary verb in the tag matches the tense of the main verb.
   • Example: “She is a doctor, isn’t she?” (Correct)
     “She is a doctor, aren’t she?” (Incorrect)
2. Positive statement, negative question tag:
   • If the main sentence is positive, the question tag should be negative, and vice versa.
   • Example: “You like pizza, don’t you?” (Positive statement, negative question tag)
     “You don’t like pizza, do you?” (Negative statement, positive question tag)
3. Using the appropriate pronoun:
   • The pronoun in the question tag should agree with the subject pronoun in the main sentence.
   • Example: “They have finished their homework, haven’t they?” (Plural subject pronoun)
     “She has finished her homework, hasn’t she?” (Singular subject pronoun)

Practicing Question Tags

Now that we understand the basics of question tags, let’s practice using them. Look at the statements below and add the correct question tag at the end:

1. We are going to the park, _?
2. He doesn’t like broccoli, _?
3. You have finished your homework, _?
4. She will come to the party, _?
5. They didn’t watch the movie, _?
6. I should study for the test, _?
7. It is raining outside, _?

Take your time to complete the exercise and check your answers. Remember to pay attention to the agreement between the main verb and the auxiliary verb in the question tag.

Conclusion

Question tags are a useful tool in English grammar to seek confirmation, express doubt, or add emphasis. By understanding how question tags are formed and following the rules for their usage, we can communicate more effectively. Keep practicing, and soon you’ll master the art of using question tags in your conversations!

Here are some additional examples of question tags:

1. “We should leave now, shouldn’t we?”
2. “He won’t be late, will he?”
3. “You can swim, can’t you?”
4. “She didn’t eat lunch, did she?”
5. “They have finished their project, haven’t they?”
6. “I am a good singer, aren’t I?”
7. “It’s a beautiful day, isn’t it?”

Remember to pay attention to the agreement between the main verb and the auxiliary verb in the question tag.

When using question tags, there are a few common mistakes to watch out for. Here are some examples:

1. Inconsistent verb tense: It’s important to ensure that the auxiliary verb in the question tag matches the tense of the main verb. For example, “She is a doctor, aren’t she?” is incorrect. It should be “She is a doctor, isn’t she?”
2. Incorrect subject pronoun: The pronoun in the question tag should agree with the subject pronoun in the main sentence. For example, “They has finished their homework, haven’t they?” is incorrect. It should be “They have finished their homework, haven’t they?”
3. Using a positive question tag with a negative statement, or vice versa: If the main sentence is positive, the question tag should be negative, and vice versa. For example, “You don’t like pizza, do you?” is correct. But “You don’t like pizza, don’t you?” is incorrect.
4. Incorrect placement of the question tag: The question tag should always be placed at the end of the sentence. For example, “She is a doctor, isn’t?” is incorrect. It should be “She is a doctor, isn’t she?”

By being mindful of these common mistakes, you can ensure that you are using question tags correctly in your sentences.

Here are some examples of incorrect subject pronouns used in question tags:

1. “I am going to the party, aren’t you?” (Incorrect: The subject pronoun “I” should have the question tag pronoun “am I?”)
2. “You love playing soccer, isn’t it?” (Incorrect: The subject pronoun “You” should have the question tag pronoun “don’t you?”)
3. “He is a great singer, aren’t she?” (Incorrect: The subject pronoun “He” should have the question tag pronoun “isn’t he?”)
4. “We have finished our project, hasn’t they?” (Incorrect: The subject pronoun “We” should have the question tag pronoun “haven’t we?”)
5. “They like to swim, doesn’t she?” (Incorrect: The subject pronoun “They” should have the question tag pronoun “don’t they?”)

Remember, the pronoun in the question tag should agree with the subject pronoun in the main sentence.

Here’s an explanation of why each example is incorrect:

1. “I am going to the party, aren’t you?”
   • This is incorrect because the subject pronoun “I” should have the question tag pronoun “am I?” instead of “aren’t you?” The question tag should match the subject pronoun, so it should be “I am going to the party, am I?”
2. “You love playing soccer, isn’t it?”
   • This is incorrect because the subject pronoun “You” should have the question tag pronoun “don’t you?” instead of “isn’t it?” The question tag should match the subject pronoun, so it should be “You love playing soccer, don’t you?”
3. “He is a great singer, aren’t she?”
   • This is incorrect because the subject pronoun “He” should have the question tag pronoun “isn’t he?” instead of “aren’t she?” The question tag should match the subject pronoun, so it should be “He is a great singer, isn’t he?”
4. “We have finished our project, hasn’t they?”
   • This is incorrect because the subject pronoun “We” should have the question tag pronoun “haven’t we?” instead of “hasn’t they?” The question tag should match the subject pronoun, so it should be “We have finished our project, haven’t we?”
5. “They like to swim, doesn’t she?”
   • This is incorrect because the subject pronoun “They” should have the question tag pronoun “don’t they?” instead of “doesn’t she?” The question tag should match the subject pronoun, so it should be “They like to swim, don’t they?”

By using the correct subject pronouns in question tags, we ensure that the tags agree with the subject pronouns in the main sentences.