15 Questions
Match the examples of question tags with their corresponding functions:
Ritu and Brinha were not the best of friends from the start, were they? = To express disbelief or challenge the listener She is going ahead with her decision, is she? = To ask for confirmation You think this is a joke, do you? = To express interest or surprise They have not arrived yet, have they? = To ensure all parties are on the same page
Match the question tag examples with the emotions they convey:
You would not have done that, would she? = Disbelief So they are moving to Italy, are they? = Surprise You’re just going to sit there, are you? = Anger Sheena will not be attending the ceremony, will she? = Interest
Match the purposes of question tags with their descriptions:
To ensure all parties are on the same page = To challenge the listener or express disbelief To express interest or surprise = To ask for confirmation or show anger To ask for confirmation = To make sure everyone is clear on what needs to be discussed To challenge the listener or express disbelief = To make the conversation more engaging
Match the question tag examples with their corresponding functions:
Buying a new car when you already had a loan wasn't a good idea, was it? = To express disbelief or challenge the listener You have been looking for an apartment, haven't you? = To ensure all parties are on the same page So this is the way it is going to be from now on, is it? = To express interest or surprise They have not arrived yet, have they? = To ask for confirmation
Match the functions of question tags with their examples:
To ask for confirmation = She is going ahead with her decision, is she? To express interest or surprise = So they are moving to Italy, are they? To ensure all parties are on the same page = You have been looking for an apartment, haven't you? To express disbelief or challenge the listener = Ritu and Brinha were not the best of friends from the start, were they?
Question tags are a crucial aspect of ______ English, used to confirm facts, seek agreement, or simply to involve others in conversation.
spoken
The rules for forming question tags are based on the ______ of the main part of the sentence.
grammar
Positive statements in the main clause are followed by a ______ question tag, while negative statements in the main clause are followed by a positive question tag.
negative
If the main clause contains an ______ verb, a modal verb, or the verb 'to be', the question tag uses the same verb.
auxiliary
Question tags are often used with a ______ intonation to indicate that the speaker is seeking confirmation or agreement.
rising
The rising intonation suggests that the speaker is not entirely sure of the ______ they are presenting.
information
Question tags are formed by adding a ______ tag to the end of a statement, turning it into a question.
question
The ______ of the sentence determines the formation of the question tag.
grammar
Question tags are used to seek ______ or simply to involve others in conversation.
agreement
The primary function of question tags is to ______ facts, seek agreement, or simply to involve others in conversation.
confirm
Study Notes
Question tags, also referred to as tag questions, are phrases that turn a statement into a question. They are typically used in spoken language to confirm information or to encourage the listener to respond. In written language, they are found in dialogue writing and stories with dialogues. The definition of a question tag, according to the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary, is a phrase such as “isn’t it?” or “don’t you?” that is added to the end of a statement to turn it into a question.
Question tags are formed by inverting the subject and verb of a statement. If the subject is a noun, it may be necessary to change the noun into a pronoun, such as in the statement “The dog hasn’t eaten dinner yet, has he?” Question tags can also be formed with dummy pronouns like it and there. For example, “There are many clouds in the sky, aren’t there?” or “It’s not going to rain tomorrow, is it?”.
Question tags must always be placed at the end of a statement. If the statement is positive, the question tag must be negative. If the statement is negative, the question tag must be positive. In most cases, an auxiliary verb must be used in the question tag.
Here are some examples of question tags in action:
- The baby elephant that fell into the well was rescued by the locals, wasn't it?
- Arranging transport and accommodation for the guests had been their first priority, hadn't it?
- You like mushrooms, don't you?
- Bring me some tissue papers, will you?
- You have been looking for an apartment, haven't you?
Question tags can also be used in negative statements to express disbelief or to challenge the listener. For example:
- Ritu and Brinha were not the best of friends from the start, were they?
- Sheena will not be attending the ceremony, will she?
- You would not have done that, would she?
- They have not arrived yet, have they?
- Buying a new car when you already had a loan wasn't a good idea, was it?
Question tags can also be used to express interest, anger, or surprise, and to ask for confirmation. For example:
- She is going ahead with her decision, is she?
- So they are moving to Italy, are they?
- You think this is a joke, do you?
- You’re just going to sit there, are you?
- So this is the way it is going to be from now on, is it?
Question tags are an essential part of good conversations in English as they help to ensure that all parties are on the same page, and that everyone is clear on what needs to be discussed.
Learn about question tags, also known as tag questions, and how they are used to turn statements into questions. Practice forming question tags with this quiz and improve your English grammar skills.
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