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Question Tags

The document explains question tags in English grammar, which are short questions added to statements to seek confirmation or encourage responses. It outlines the formation rules for question tags based on the positivity or negativity of the statement and provides examples for different verb tenses. Additionally, it defines gerunds as verbal nouns ending in -ing and describes their usage in sentences.

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46 views5 pages

Question Tags

The document explains question tags in English grammar, which are short questions added to statements to seek confirmation or encourage responses. It outlines the formation rules for question tags based on the positivity or negativity of the statement and provides examples for different verb tenses. Additionally, it defines gerunds as verbal nouns ending in -ing and describes their usage in sentences.

Uploaded by

miaismiati240
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Question Tags

English Grammar Rules

1. A question used after a statement when seeking or expecting confirmation of that


statement
2. a short interrogative structure appended to a statement or command, often inviting
confirmation or assent, as isn't it in It's raining, isn't it?

3. Question tags are short questions at the end of statements.

They are mainly used in speech when we want to:


 confirm that something is true or not, or
 to encourage a reply from the person we are speaking to.

Question tags are formed with the auxiliary or modal verb from the statement and the
appropriate subject.

A positive statement is followed by a negative question tag.


 Jack is from Spain, isn't he?
 Mary can speak English, can't she?

A negative statement is followed by a positive question tag.


 They aren't funny, are they?
 He shouldn't say things like that, should he?

When the verb in the main sentence is in the present simple we form the question tag
with do / does.
 You play the guitar, don't you?
 Alison likes tennis, doesn't she?

If the verb is in the past simple we use did.


 They went to the cinema, didn't they?
 She studied in New Zealand, didn't she?

When the statement contains a word with a negative meaning, the question tag needs to
be positive
 He hardly ever speaks, does he?
 They rarely eat in restaurants, do they?
Question Tags Summary Charts
Exceptions

Some verbs / expressions have different question tags. For example:

I am - I am attractive, aren't I?

Positive imperative - Stop daydreaming, will / won't you?

Negative imperative - Don't stop singing, will you?


Let's - Let's go to the beach, shall we?

Have got (possession) - He has got a car, hasn't he?

There is / are - There aren't any spiders in the bedroom, are there?

This / that is - This is Paul's pen, isn't it?

Intonation

When we are sure of the answer and we are simply encouraging a response, the intonation in
the question tag goes down:

 This is your car, isn't it?


(Your voice goes down when you say isn't it.)

When we are not sure and want to check information, the intonation in the question tag goes
up:

 He is from France, isn't he?


(Your voice goes up when you say isn't he.)

Definition of GERUND

1. A verbal that ends in -ing and functions as a noun. Adjective: gerundial or gerundival.

Gerund is a term used in traditional grammar. Many contemporary linguists prefer to


use the term -ing form.

A gerund accompanied by its objects, complements, and/or modifiers is called a gerund


phrase or simply a noun phrase

2. A gerund is a verb in its ing (present participle) form that functions as a noun

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