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Questions and Answers
What has Modern English largely abandoned from the Indo-European language?
What has Modern English largely abandoned from the Indo-European language?
Which word class retains morphological case more strongly than any other in Modern English?
Which word class retains morphological case more strongly than any other in Modern English?
What is a remnant of the more extensive Germanic case system of Old English?
What is a remnant of the more extensive Germanic case system of Old English?
In what range of registers is present-day Standard English used?
In what range of registers is present-day Standard English used?
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What does English grammar describe?
What does English grammar describe?
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What is the function of question tags in English grammar?
What is the function of question tags in English grammar?
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What should be used as the auxiliary verb in a question tag if the main sentence has no auxiliary verb?
What should be used as the auxiliary verb in a question tag if the main sentence has no auxiliary verb?
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What should be used as the auxiliary in a question tag if the main sentence is negative?
What should be used as the auxiliary in a question tag if the main sentence is negative?
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When should a comma be used in relation to the question tag?
When should a comma be used in relation to the question tag?
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What is the question tag for an affirmative sentence with 'I am'?
What is the question tag for an affirmative sentence with 'I am'?
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What is the primary purpose of using question tags in statements?
What is the primary purpose of using question tags in statements?
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How should the auxiliary verb in a question tag be chosen?
How should the auxiliary verb in a question tag be chosen?
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What is the correct question tag for the sentence 'She can play the piano,'?
What is the correct question tag for the sentence 'She can play the piano,'?
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Which pronoun should always be used at the end of a question tag?
Which pronoun should always be used at the end of a question tag?
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If the main sentence is 'They were not at the party,' what is the correct question tag?
If the main sentence is 'They were not at the party,' what is the correct question tag?
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What is the function of question tags?
What is the function of question tags?
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What should be used as the auxiliary verb in question tags?
What should be used as the auxiliary verb in question tags?
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What should be used if the main sentence is negative in question tags?
What should be used if the main sentence is negative in question tags?
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What is the question tag for an affirmative sentence with 'I am'?
What is the question tag for an affirmative sentence with 'I am'?
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What should be used before the question tag in English grammar?
What should be used before the question tag in English grammar?
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Study Notes
Changes in Modern English
- Modern English has largely abandoned the complex morphological case system found in Indo-European languages.
- Many features of Old English, particularly case distinctions, have been simplified or eliminated over time.
Morphological Case
- The noun class retains morphological case more strongly than any other in Modern English.
Germanic Case System Remnants
- A key remnant of the Germanic case system from Old English is the use of some pronouns that still exhibit case variations.
Usage of Standard English
- Present-day Standard English is used across a wide range of registers, accommodating both formal and informal contexts.
Description of English Grammar
- English grammar describes the structure and rules governing the formation of sentences, including syntax, morphology, and punctuation.
Function of Question Tags
- Question tags serve to confirm information or seek agreement from the listener, often making a statement more engaging and interactive.
Auxiliary Verbs in Question Tags
- If the main sentence lacks an auxiliary verb, "do" should be used as the auxiliary in the question tag.
- For negative main sentences, the auxiliary verb in the question tag should mirror that of the main sentence.
Comma Usage with Question Tags
- A comma is typically placed before the question tag to separate it from the main sentence.
Affirmative Question Tag for 'I am'
- The question tag for the affirmative sentence "I am" is "aren't I?"
Primary Purpose of Question Tags
- The primary purpose of using question tags in statements is to elicit confirmation or agreement from the listener.
Choosing Auxiliary Verb in Question Tags
- The auxiliary verb in a question tag should correspond with the tense and aspect of the main sentence.
Correct Question Tag Example
- The correct question tag for the sentence "She can play the piano" is "can’t she?"
Pronouns in Question Tags
- The pronoun "I" should always be used at the end of a question tag when referring to oneself.
Example for Negative Main Sentence
- If the main sentence is "They were not at the party," the correct question tag is "were they?"
Functions of Question Tags
- Question tags function to confirm statements, prompting the listener to respond or engage.
Auxiliary Verbs in Question Tags
- The auxiliary verb used in question tags should match the affirmative or negative nature of the main sentence.
Handling Negatives in Question Tags
- If the main sentence is negative in question tags, the question tag should mirror this by using the appropriate auxiliary.
Preliminary Punctuation in Question Tags
- A comma should be used before the question tag in English grammar to clarify the structure of the sentence.
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Description
Test your knowledge of English grammar with this quiz! Challenge yourself with questions on word structure, sentence construction, punctuation, and more. Whether you're a student, professional, or language enthusiast, this quiz will help you sharpen your grammar skills.
