Toomas Runtal Form

Tag-Questions A ‘tag-question’ or ‘question tag’ is not a trueA ‘tag-question’ or ‘question tag’ is not a truequestion. A tag question is used at the end of a Statement Sentence to get the confirmation from the listener, or just to express one’s doubt. A question sentence, on the contrary, is used to get the answer.

Tag-Questions You are my student. Statement Sentence positive You are not my student. Statement negative Are you my student? Question (interrogative) You are my student, aren’t you? Tag-question

Tag-Questions Whose books are these? – a true question Whose books are these? – a true question These are your books, aren’t they? These are your books, aren’t they? -Tag-question – Positive These are not your books, are they? - Tag-question -- Negative

Tag-Questions Making a tag-question sentence: She is your friend, isn’t she ? A positive tag-question sentence!

Tag-Questions  There are four simple points we should follow when we use a Tag-question:  Point 1  A comma is used between the main sentence and the ‘tag’ part, e.g.  This is your book isn’t it?

Tag-Questions ► Point 2: ► Even if the subject of the main sentence is a noun – proper noun or common noun – the subject of the ‘tag’ part is always a corresponding PERSONAL PRONOUN. e.g. Mary isn’t your sister, is she?

Tag-Question Point 2 (continued) Point 2 (continued) Ted and Jerry got their books, didn’t ? Ted and Jerry got their books, didn’t ? ‘Ted and Jerry’ – Proper nouns – male – plural they Personal Pronoun – male -- plural

Tag-Questions Point 3 Point 3 The verb in the ‘tag’ part depends on the verb in the main sentence: The verb in the ‘tag’ part depends on the verb in the main sentence: If the verb in the main sentence is in Present Tense, the verb in the ‘tag’ part will be in Present Tense; and the verb in the main sentence is in Past Tense, the verb in the ‘tag’ part will be in Past, and so on. If the verb in the main sentence is in Present Tense, the verb in the ‘tag’ part will be in Present Tense; and the verb in the main sentence is in Past Tense, the verb in the ‘tag’ part will be in Past, and so on. If the verb in the main sentence is in Positive form, the verb in the ‘tag’ part will be in Negative form. If the verb in the main sentence is in Positive form, the verb in the ‘tag’ part will be in Negative form.

Tag-Questions  Point 3 (continued)  Brad hasn’t done his work, he? ‘hasn’t’ – Present perfect – NEGATIVE has Present perfect -- POSITIVE

Tag-questions Point 4 -- Word order Point 4 -- Word order In the statement sentence (in the main sentence) the subject comes first and the verb comes next; but in the ‘tag’ part, the verb comes first and the subject comes next, just as in the interrogative sentence. In the statement sentence (in the main sentence) the subject comes first and the verb comes next; but in the ‘tag’ part, the verb comes first and the subject comes next, just as in the interrogative sentence.

Tag-Question  Point 4 – word order (continued) For example: A woman fainted, didn’t she? Main sentence ‘tag’ part Subject first; verb next Verb first; subject next

 Mr McGuinness is from Ireland, ?  The car isn't in the garage, ?  You are John, ?  She went to the library yesterday, ?  He didn't recognize me, ?  Cars pollute the environment, ?  Mr. Pritchard has been to Scotland recently, ?  The trip is very expensive, ?  He won't tell her, ?  Hugh had a red car, ? Exercises

Key  Mr McGuinness is from Ireland, isn't he ?  The car isn't in the garage, is it ?  You are John, aren't you ?  She went to the library yesterday, didn't she ?  He didn't recognize me, did he ?  Cars pollute the environment, don't they ?  Mr. Pritchard has been to Scotland recently, hasn't he ?  The trip is very expensive, isn't it ?  He won't tell her, will he ?  Hugh had a red car, ?  Hugh had a red car, didn't he ?

References

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