Tag Questions | ESL Master

What Are Tag Questions?

A tag question is a short question at the end of a statement.

It is cold today, isn't it?

You have seen this film, haven't you?

They do not live here, do they?

Use tag questions to check information, invite agreement, or keep a conversation going.

Positive Statement, Negative Tag

After a positive statement, use a negative tag.

Statement	Tag
`She is late,`	`isn't she?`
`You can swim,`	`can't you?`
`They will come,`	`won't they?`
`He has finished,`	`hasn't he?`

The lesson is useful, isn't it?

You can help me, can't you?

Negative Statement, Positive Tag

After a negative statement, use a positive tag.

Statement	Tag
`She is not late,`	`is she?`
`You cannot swim,`	`can you?`
`They will not come,`	`will they?`
`He has not finished,`	`has he?`

You don't know the answer, do you?

She hasn't called, has she?

Choose the Right Auxiliary

Use the auxiliary verb from the statement.

You are tired, aren't you?

He can drive, can't he?

They will wait, won't they?

For present simple and past simple, use do, does, or did.

She works here, doesn't she?

They like coffee, don't they?

You locked the door, didn't you?

Special Tags

Use aren't I? after I am.

I'm right, aren't I?

Use shall we? after Let's.

Let's take a break, shall we?

Use will you? after an imperative.

Don't be late, will you?

Open the window, will you?

Meaning and Intonation

If your voice goes down, you usually expect agreement.

It's a beautiful day, isn't it?

If your voice goes up, it is more like a real question.

You haven't seen Maya today, have you?

In writing, context shows the meaning. In speaking, your voice is important.

Common Mistakes

Mistake	Better	Why
`She is late, is she?`	`She is late, isn't she?`	Positive statement uses negative tag.
`You don't know him, don't you?`	`You don't know him, do you?`	Negative statement uses positive tag.
`He works here, isn't he?`	`He works here, doesn't he?`	Use `does` for present simple.
`I am right, amn't I?`	`I am right, aren't I?`	The usual tag is `aren't I`.
`Let's go, will we?`	`Let's go, shall we?`	Use `shall we` after `Let's`.

Practice: Exercises

1 / 8

You are tired, ___ you?

Summary

A tag question is a short question after a statement.

Positive statements usually take negative tags. Negative statements usually take positive tags.

Use the same auxiliary if the sentence has one. Use do, does, or did for simple present and simple past.

Remember the special tags aren't I, shall we, and will you.