What are “Question Tags?" Grammar Review

Published on Nov 16, 2017

Question tags are short questions at the end of a statement. There are several reasons why we might do this. Overall, we use question tags to encourage a response from another person. We use question tags to confirm something that is true or not true. Future speculation is another reason to use this type of grammar. Advanced speakers of English know this grammar well. It is extremely common in spoken English. We can also use question tags to imply an offer. Question tags are formed with an auxiliary or modal verb. Positive statements are followed by a negative tag while negative statements are followed by a positive tag. If your statement is a true question, your intonation rises. If you know the answer or share your opinion, your intonation falls.

PRESENTATION OUTLINE

What are Question Tags?

Larisa English Grammar Review by Billgreen54

Larisa English Club. com

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What are Question Tags?

Question tags are short
questions at the end
of a statement.

There are several reasons why we might do this...

Overall, we use question tags to encourage a response from another person.

We use question tags to confirm something that is true or not true.

Future speculation is another reason to use this type of grammar.

Advanced speakers of English know this grammar well.

Question tags are extremely common in spoken English.

We can also use question tags to imply an offer.

Question tags are
formed with an
auxiliary or modal verb.

Positive statements are followed
by a negative tag while
negative statements are followed by a positive tag.

If your statement is a
true question,
your intonation rises.

If you know the answer
or share your opinion,
your intonation falls.

“Confirmation”
Question Tag Examples...

You like pizza, don’t you?
(I know you like pizza)

You don’t like pizza,
do you?
(I know you don’t like pizza)

You are happy, aren’t you? (I know you are happy)

You aren’t happy, are you? (I know you are not happy)

She has been to Italy,
hasn’t she?
(I know she went to Italy)

She hasn’t been to Italy, has she? (I know she has never been to Italy)

You can’t drive a car,
can you?
(I know you can’t drive)

You can drive a car,
can’t you?
(I know you can drive a car)

“Future Speculation” Question Tag Examples...

You won’t fail the exam, will you? ( I am not sure you will pass the exam)

The weather is going to
be warm tomorrow, isn’t it?
(I am not sure)

You are going to
work tonight, aren’t you?
(I am not sure)

The economy will improve, won’t it?
(I am not sure)

“Offer” Question Tag Examples...

You would like to eat out tonight, wouldn’t you?
(an offer to go out)

You would like to watch a movie tonight, wouldn’t you?
(an offer to watch)

You would like to stay for dinner, wouldn’t you?
(an offer to stay)

You would like some dessert, wouldn’t you?
(an offer for dessert)

Work with your teacher on this subject. Blended learning is the best!

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