QUESTION TAGS It’s a nice day, isn’t it?

You didn’t lock the door last night, did you? What are Question Tags? They are mini-questions, and they go at the end of a sentence in spoken English. You didn’t lock the door last night, did you?

The formation of Question Tags They always use an AUXILIARY (have/ has/ is/ are/ am/do/does/ did/ will/… + the SUBJECT. The subject is always a pronoun (for example: “you”) If the auxiliary in the tag is negative, it needs to use a contraction (for example: “haven’t”) You have seen Lisa today, haven’t you? Positive sentences We normally use a negative Question Tag after a positive sentence. Kate will be here soon, won’t she? Negative sentences We normally use a positive Question Tag after a negative sentence. They don’t like us, do they?

The meaning of Question Tags It depends on how you say it.

The intonation of Question Tags If the intonation goes down, you are inviting the listener to agree with you. She’s got a great sense of humour, doesn’t she? If the intonation goes up, it is a real question. You haven’t got a pen, have you?

ANSWERING QUESTION TAGS If the information is correct, you use a short answer. You haven’t been to the USA, have you? No, I haven’t. But you’ve been to Africa, haven’t you? Yes, I have. If the information is not correct, you use ACTUALLY to sound more polite. You are an only child, aren’t you? No, actually, I’m not. I’ve got a sister.

Exceptions in Question Tags shall we? LET’S – Let’s get out, shall we? IMPERATIVES – will you? Don’ t open the door, will you? Close the window, will you? aren’t I? I AM – I’m too impatient, aren’t I?