Question Tags in English Grammar

A question tag is a short question added to the end of a statement to turn it into a question. Question tags are most commonly used in spoken language to confirm something that has been said and to encourage the listener to respond. They are used in dialogue writing and stories that include dialogues in written language.

Forming and Using Question Tags in Sentences

Question tags are formed by adding a short question to the end of a statement. For example, "She's going to the concert tonight, isn't she?" or "You'll be there on time, won't you?". The tense of the statement and the question tag must match. Question tags can be used to ask for confirmation, express doubt, or to clarify information.

Negative Statements with Positive Question Tags

Question tags can be used to confirm negative statements as well. For example, "She won't be attending the ceremony, will she?" or "They haven't arrived yet, have they?". In these examples, the question tag is positive, but the statement is negative.

Positive Statements with Positive Question Tags

Question tags can also be used with positive statements to express interest, anger, or surprise. For example, "She's going ahead with her decision, is she?" or "You think this is a joke, do you?". In these examples, the question tag is positive and is used to express a question or to seek confirmation.

Rules of Question Tags

Question tags have certain rules that must be followed, such as the tense of the statement and the question tag must match, the use of auxiliary verbs, and the use of pronouns that match the subject of the statement.

In conclusion, question tags are a useful tool in the English language to confirm or clarify information, and they can be used in various ways to express different emotions or reactions.