How to Form a Tag Questions
ARtantiado
We use tag questions to make statements and seek agreement from the
listener. We form tag question from simple declarative sentences.
• We lost the game, didn't we?
• John went to school, didn't he?
• Jack and Jill didn't go up the hill, did they?
• He is a giant, isn't he?
• She can't swim, can she?
Positive Sentences
We form tag questions from positive sentences by copying the auxiliary
verb used in the sentence to the sentence end in the negative form.
Next we use the pronoun form of the subject of the sentence at the
very end of the sentence.
• We are going to win, aren't we?
• John can dance very well, can't he?
• Mary will be here, won't she?
Negative Sentences
We form tag questions from negative sentences by copying the auxiliary
verb used in the sentence to the sentence end in the positive form.
Next we use the pronoun form of the subject of the sentence at the
very end of the sentence.
• John can't play tennis, can he?
• Mary won't go with us, will she?
• Jack and Jill aren't climbing hills anymore, are they?
• Jane did not eat her vegetables, did she?
• You and I aren't going on a date, are we?
Sentences without Auxiliary Verbs
If there is no auxiliary verb, we use the appropriate tense form of DO
in the negative form.
• Jack and Jill brought us some water, didn't they?
• Jane likes vegetables, doesn't she?
To Contract or not To Contract
Optionally, we can choose not to contract the auxiliary verb with NOT.
The order of the words in a non-contracted tag is 1st the auxiliary
verb followed by the subject pronoun and finally NOT.
• We are going to win, are we not?
• John can dance very well, can he not?
• Jack and Jill brought us some water, did they not?
• Jane likes vegetables, does she not?
• Mary will be here, will she not?
A. Bonus exercise!. Get ¼ sheet of paper.
Supply the correct tag phrase to complete the question. Pass this
exercise to me.
1. You wanted that, _____?
2. He saw that ,_____?
3. You know that's right ,_____?
4. He will be coming ,_____?
5. After all this time you'd think he'd have forgotten, _____?
6. With the amount he is suffering from high fever he needs to see a
doctor ,_____?
7. You may think you know the answer but you don't, _____?
8. After working so hard he didn't deserve to fail the exam,
_____?
9. You wouldn't report me,_____?
10. He isn't going to like this,_____?
B. Select your groupmates and make a short conversation on any topic
by asking and answering questions. Post your output here.
ARtantiado
> "Do you have any boyfriend at this time, don't you?"
This is WRONG.
>"Do you have any boyfriend at this time?" is already a question, putting a tag ending is a no-no.
>The sentence must be a declarative statement plus the tag ending to make it a tag question.
>So it should be:
>"You have a boyfriend at this time, haven't you?
ARtantiado
On Mar 1, 9:12 am, ARtantiado <english_enhancedlearn...@yahoo.com>
wrote:
flor
On Mar 2, 1:12 am, ARtantiado <english_enhancedlearn...@yahoo.com>
wrote:
flor
MARY FLOR: hey Janeth, how are you now?
Janeth: uhm.. not ok...
Mary Flor: uhhuh..! I think, it's all because of your boyfriend, isn't
it?
Janeth: No, your not right! I don't have any boyfriend!
Emily and Mary Flor: You have a boyfriend at this time, haven't you?
Emily: so what's wrong? uhm. We must say, we don't have.
Mary Flor: Janeth, Your too pale, i know now what is your problem.
You're sick, aren't you?
Janeth: Yah. you got it. :'(
Emily: ahh, so sad to know that. Get well soon Janeth!
Mary Flor: it's already 6pm.. Let's go home.. And Janeth take a rest!