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John Millen

We usually ask a question when we want someone to tell us something. In other words, we expect an answer when we ask a question. But tag questions are a bit different.

A tag question is a small question we stick on the end of a statement to see if the person we are talking to agrees with us. He earns a lot of money, doesn't he? We know that he earns a lot of money, but we have put a tag question at the end of our statement just to check it out. We might expect an answer, but it doesn't matter if we don't get one.

Tag questions are an important part of natural spoken language, so it is important that they are used correctly. If you put the wrong tag question at the end of what you have said, you will end up sounding very silly to the person who is listening to you.

He earns a lot of money, isn't it? sounds like really good English but it is nonsense because the tag question does not match the statement. So, matching up the statement and the tag question is the key to success here.

Tag questions with 'to be'

Aren't I/aren't you/isn't he/aren't we/aren't they?

These tags are used to check that a fact is correct.

She is very intelligent, isn't she?

You are coming out with me on Saturday, aren't you?

Dad is making dinner tonight, isn't he?

They are moving to Tokyo, aren't they?

Tag questions with 'can'

Can't I/can't you/can't she/can't we/can't they?

With these tag questions you are checking that it is okay or it is possible to do something.

I can see you again, can't I?

We can play tennis, can't we?

They can see us, can't they?

It can fly, can't it?

Tag questions with 'do'

Don't I/don't you/doesn't he (she/it) /don't we/don't they?

With these tag questions, you are checking that any action is correct. These tags are used with any verb.

I sing well, don't I?

She speaks Japanese, doesn't she?

They know you, don't they?

It looks very good, doesn't it?

Finish each of these statements with a tag question.

1. I know you.

2. She works in a bank.

3. They live in Sheung Wan.

4. We can go to the beach.

5. The film starts at six.

6. Your parents are rich.

Be very, very careful when you provide these statements with a tag.

7. Jason and his brother go swimming a lot.

8. Simon and his mother work for the same company.

9. You are lying to me.

10. Tom is a really kind person.

11. You like that new boy with the blue eyes.

12. Both of you can come to the birthday dinner.

13. He has a new Korean car.

14. You are laughing at me.

15. Jupiter and Mars are planets.

16. Madonna's husband is a film director.

Answers

Don't I/doesn't she/don't they/can't we/doesn't it/aren't they/don't they/don't they/aren't you/isn't he/don't you/can't you/hasn't he/aren't you/aren't they/isn't he

Young Post's grammar exercises won't kill you. Thomas and Mandie survived.

Thomas Li, 16

St Joseph's College

So there are only three types of question tags, right? What about 'shouldn't' and 'couldn't'? Also, when can we use the tag 'ain't I?'. For example: 'I am a good person, ain't I?' Is this correct?

Mandie Ho, 17

TWGHs Mrs Wu York Yu

Memorial College

I had trouble with question 13. I'm not sure when to use 'hasn't' and 'haven't' so I did not answer that question. I also noticed that not all the examples of tag questions were tested, for example, 'didn't I' and 'wouldn't I' were left out. It'd be better if all examples were included.



A question of tags