Question Tags

Introduction

Question tags are used at the end of sentences when we want check something, when we want someone to do something or when we show surprise. THey are separated from the main question by a comma:

For positive statements we use the negative particle not:

If there is no auxiliary or modal, we use do:

Usage

We use question tags in three ways:

1. To verify information; when we are fairly certain of a fact and want merely to check it, we can use a question tag:

See Verifying Tags for an acitity to help with this.

2. To ask someone to do something; often this is used when we want someone to agree with what we say:

3. To show surprise in a negative way when we cannot really believe something is true - we use this only in negative sentences:

After let's... and offers & suggestions we use shall

After imperatives we use will/would/can/could

See Also

Tag Mix - an activity to practice matching statements and tags

Verifying Tags - an activity to practice using question tags