Type 1
The first type of question tag consists of an affirmative main clause and a negative tag,
or a negative main clause and an affirmative tag. Negative tags are most commonly
used in the contracted form:
[main clause]She’s a translator, [tag]isn’t she? (affirmative main clause + negative tag)
He hasn’t arrived yet, has he? (negative main clause + affirmative tag)
We can use type 1 question tags when we expect the answer to the question to confirm
that what we say in the main clause is true:
A:
You work with Barbara, don’t you? (A thinks it is true that B works with Barbara.)
B:
Yes, that’s right.
A:
Sam’s not very old, is he? (A thinks it is true that Sam is not very old.)
B:
No, he’s only 24.
With type 1 tags, we can use falling intonation (↘) if we are fairly sure of the answer,
and rising intonation (↗) if we are not so sure.
Compare
not so
fairly sure
sure
We’ve You were
haven↘’t weren↗’t
met at Kim’s
we? you?
before, party,
He’s not is ↘he? They’re not a↗re
very open today, they?
not so
fairly sure
sure
happy,
Type 2
The second type of question tag consists of an affirmative main clause and an
affirmative tag:
[main clause]You’re Joe’s cousin, [tag]are you?
She got the email, did she?
We can use type 2 tags when we do not know if the answer is yes or no. The intonation
is usually a rising tone:
A:
Maureen lives in Hamden, does s↗he? (The speaker wants to know if Maureen lives in
Hamden or not.)
B:
Yes, She does. She was born there in fact.
A:
You’re a graphic designer, are y↗ou?
B:
No, not actually a designer, but I work with graphics.
A:
Oh, right.
Statement tags
We can use a statement tag to emphasise or reinforce an affirmative statement. The tag
is also affirmative. They typically invite the listener to agree or sympathise in some way,
or to offer a parallel comment. Statement tags are very informal:
A:
I’m bored with this, I am. (stronger than I’m bored with this)
B:
Me too.
A:
My Maths teacher was lovely. He was a great teacher, he was.
B:
Hm, you were lucky. Mine wasn’t so good.
When the main clause has a pronoun subject, a statement tag can have a noun as the
subject instead of a pronoun:
A:
She won some money last week, Catherine did.
B:
Really?
A:
Yeah.
He was a great teacher, Mr Mark was.
This construction is similar to a tail construction.
See also:
Headers and tails
Universal tags: right, yeah
We can use right and yeah in very informal situations instead of question tags:
A:
So, you’re not coming with us tonight, right?
B:
No, I’m too busy. Sorry. or (less informally) You’re not coming with us tonight, are you?
A:
They’ll be here about 4.30, yeah?
B:
Yeah. That’s what they said. or (less informally) They’ll be here about 4.30, won’t
they/will they?
EXCERCISE
Exercise 1: Complete the following tag questions:
1. Lan enjoys watching TV after dinner, _____?
2. Tam didn’t go to school yesterday, _____?
3. They’ll buy a new computer, _____?
4. She can drink lots of tomato juice every day, _____?
5. She may not come to class today, _____?
6. We should follow the traffic rules strictly, _____?
7. Your mother has read these fairy tales for you many times, _____?
8. He seldom visits you, _____?
9. You’ve never been in Italy, _____?
10. That’s Bob, _____?
11. No-one died in the accident, _____?
12. I’m supposed to be here, _____?
13. Nothing is wrong, _____?
14. Nobody called the phone, _____?
15. Everything is okay, _____?
16. Everyone took a rest, _____?
17. Going swimming in the summer is never boring, _____?
18. Let’s dance together, _____?
19. Don’t talk in class, _____?
20. Sit down, _____?
21. This picture is yours, _____?
22. Hoa never comes to school late, _____?
23. You took some photos on the beach, _____?
24. He hardly ever makes a mistake, _____?
25. We must communicate with you by means of e-mail or chatting, _____?
26. Nobody liked the play, _____?
27. She’d saved money if she bought fresh food, _____?
28. The area was evacuated at once, _____
29. She’s very funny. She’s got a great sense of humor, _____?
30. It never works very well, _____?
31. Mr.Smith usually remembered his wife’s birthdays, _____?
32. Neither of them offered to help you, _____?
33. He ought to have made a note of it, _____?
34. There’ll be plenty for everyone, _____?
35. Let’s go out for dinner tonight, _____?
36. That isn’t Bill driving, _____?
37. Nothing went wrong, _____?
38. There used to be trees here, _____?
39. This won’t take long, _____?
40. Don’t touch that button, _____?
41. I’m not too late, _____?
42. Not a very good film, _____?
43. Somebody wanted a drink, _____?
44. They think he’s funny, _____?
45. The fire wasn't started deliberately_____?
Exercise 2: Complete the following tag questions:
1. You aren't afraid of snakes_____?
2. Ann isn't at home_____?
3. You don't know French_____?
4. Tom didn't see her_____?
5. This isn't yours_____?
6. Mary wasn't angry_____?
7. Bill hasn't had breakfast_____?
8. You won't tell anyone_____?
9. I didn't wake you up_____?
10. Tom doesn't like oysters_____?
11. You don't want to sell the house_____?
12. It doesn't hurt_____?
13. People shouldn't drink and drive_____?
14. You aren't going alone_____?
15. They couldn't pay the rent_____?
16. You don't agree with Bill_____?
17. There wasn't a lot to do_____?
18. I needn't say anything _____?
19. That wasn't Ann on the phone_____?
20. You didn't do it on purpose_____?
21. This won't take long _____?
22. She doesn't believe you_____?
23. It didn't matter very much_____?
24. He shouldn't put so much salt in it_____?
25. Mary couldn't leave the children alone_____?
26. You aren't doing anything tonight_____?
27. You wouldn't mind helping me with this_____?
28. George hadn't been there before_____?
29. The children weren't surprised_____?
30. You wouldn't like another drink_____?
