Tag Questions

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What is a tag question?
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A tag question is a sentence with a small part at the end that makes it a question.

You like kittens.

Tag Questions

This is a statement, not a question.

Now we add a small part at the end of it:

You like kittens, don't you?

You like kittens, don't you?

Now this sentence is a question. We call it a tag question .

The little part at the end (after the comma) is called a question tag .
( A tag is a word or phrase that is added to a sentence.)


Why do we need these question tags?

We use questions tags (such as "don't you?", "isn't it?") to turn statements into questions, or to check that a statement is correct.

It's like saying, "Am I right?" or "Is that correct?"


Tag question rules

Positive statements

In most cases, the helping verb (or BE verb) from the positive statement is repeated in the tag and changed to negative.

Example sentences:

Question tag: isn't she?

Question tag: isn't it?

Question tag: aren't you?

Question tag: won't I?

Question tag: can't you?

Question tag: mustn't she?

Question tag: shouldn't I?

Question tag: don't you?

If there is no helping verb in the statement, then we usually use "don't":

Question tag: don't you?

Question tag: doesn't he?


Negative statements

In most cases, the helping verb (or BE verb) from the negative statement is repeated in the tag and changed to positive.

Question tag: is she?

Question tag: is it?

Question tag: are you?

Question tag: will I?

Question tag: can you?

Question tag: must she?

Question tag: should I?

Question tag: do you?

Note that words such as "never" make the statement negative, so:

Question tag: does he?


Tag questions exercises

Tag questions exercises: Practice different kinds of tag questions: adding tag questions to sentences with the verb BE, sentences in the simple present tense, and sentences with modal verbs (positive and negative sentences). Check your answers automatically. Practice tag questions with the verb BE in our course "English Grammar Exercises TO BE".


Tag question summary table

Statement Question tag
Positive ( + ) Negative ( - )
The movie is long, isn't it?
The kids are sleeping, aren't they?
We will win, won't we?
She must be right, mustn't she?
He should be home, shouldn't he?
Negative ( - ) Positive ( + )
The movie isn't long, is it?
The kids aren't sleeping, are they?
We will not win, will we?
She must not be right, must she?
He should not be home, should he?

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