Question Tags

What are question tags in English?

Question tags are short questions added to the end of statements to confirm information, seek agreement, or keep a conversation flowing. They consist of an auxiliary verb and a pronoun, such as "isn't it?", "don't you?", or "haven't they?" Research shows question tags appear in approximately 5% of all conversational turns in English, making them essential for natural communication.

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How do you form question tags?

Question tags follow a simple polarity rule: positive statements get negative tags, and negative statements get positive tags. Use the same auxiliary verb from the main statement (or add do/does/did if there's no auxiliary). Always match the tense and use the appropriate pronoun for the subject.

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What are the special cases for question tags?

Several situations require special attention when forming question tags. These include "I am" statements, imperatives, "Let's" suggestions, negative words, and indefinite pronouns. Mastering these special cases is essential for using question tags correctly in all contexts.

Does intonation matter in question tags?

Yes, intonation is crucial! The same question tag can have completely different meanings depending on whether your voice rises or falls at the end. Rising intonation indicates a genuine question, while falling intonation signals you expect agreement. This distinction affects how native speakers interpret your intent.

When do native speakers use question tags?

Question tags serve multiple purposes in conversation. They're used to confirm facts, seek agreement, make small talk, soften statements, and keep conversations flowing. Understanding these uses helps you sound more natural and interactive in English.

What are the most common question tag mistakes?

Learners often make predictable errors with question tags. The most common include forgetting to reverse polarity, using the wrong auxiliary verb, struggling with "I am," and treating negative words incorrectly. Here are the top mistakes and how to avoid them:

Corpus research reveals that question tags are a significant feature of spoken English, appearing in approximately 5% of conversational turns. Studies of the British National Corpus and COCA show interesting patterns about which tags are most common and how native speakers use them.