Question Tags

​Question Tags
(Confirmation and Agreement)

By wramos

Question Tags (or simply 'tags') are short questions added to the end of a statement.

Their main function is to:

1. Seek Confirmation: To check if the information in the statement is true. (e.g., "It's cold today, isn't it?")

2. Encourage Agreement: To invite the listener to agree with the statement. (e.g., "The movie was amazing, wasn't it?")

The tag always uses the opposite polarity of the main statement

Statement Polarity	Tag Polarity	Example
Positive	Negative	You are ready, aren't you?
Negative	Positive	You aren't ready, are you?

Key Structural Points

1. Use the Auxiliary Verb: The tag uses the same auxiliary verb (or modal verb) as the main sentence.

   • Modal: She can swim, can't she?

   • Present Perfect: They have eaten, haven't they?

   • Past Simple: You arrived late, didn't you?

2. The Subject is a Pronoun: The subject of the tag is always a pronoun (I, you, he, she, it, we, they) that refers to the subject of the main sentence.

   • The director is busy, isn't he?

Important Exceptions

• I am: The negative tag for 'I am' is aren't I?

  • I am right about this, aren't I?

• Let's: The tag for suggestions beginning with 'Let's' is shall we?

  • Let's start the presentation, shall we?

• Imperatives: The tag for commands or requests is often will/won't you?

  • Open the window, will you?

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"Let's practice"
Complete the following sentences with the correct Question Tag.