1. English grammar â Tag questions
Form
auxiliary verb + subject
1. We use the same auxiliary verb in the tag as in the main sentence. If there is no
auxiliary verb in the main sentence, we use do in the tag.
ďˇ You live in Spain, donât you?
2. If the auxiliary verb in the sentence is affirmative, the tag is negative.
ďˇ Youâre Spanish, arenât you?
3. If the auxiliary verb in the sentence is negative, the tag is affirmative.
ďˇ Youâre not Spanish, are you?
Meaning
1. We use tag questions to confirm or check information or ask for agreement.
ďˇ You want to come with me, donât you?
ďˇ You can swim, canât you?
ďˇ You donât know where the boss is, do you?
ďˇ This meal is horrible, isnât it?
ďˇ That film was fantastic, wasnât it?
2. We use tag questions to check whether something is true.
ďˇ The meetingâs tomorrow at 9am, isnât it?
ďˇ You wonât go without me, will you?
2. Pronunciation
1. If we donât know the answer, it is a real question and we use a rising intonation
with the tag.
ďˇ You donât know where the boss is, do you? â
2. If we know the answer and are just confirming the information a falling intonation
is used with the tag.
ďˇ That film was fantastic, wasnât it? â
Additional points
1. In the present form of be: In an affirmative statement, if the subject is âIâ, the
auxiliary changes to arenât in the tag.
ďˇ Iâm sitting next to you, arenât I?
ďˇ Iâm a little red, arenât I?
2. With letâs, the tag is shall we?
ďˇ Letâs go to the beach, shall we?
ďˇ Letâs have a coffee, shall we?
3. With an imperative, the tag is will you?
ďˇ Close the window, will you?
ďˇ Hold this, will you?
4. We use an affirmative tag after a sentence containing a negative word such as never,
hardly, nobody.
ďˇ Nobody lives in this house, do they?
ďˇ Youâve never liked me, have you?
3. 5. When the subject is nothing, we use âitâ in the tag.
ďˇ Nothing bad happened, did it?
ďˇ Nothing ever happens, does it?
6. If the subject is nobody, somebody, everybody, no one, someone or everyone, we
use âtheyâ in the tag.
ďˇ Nobody asked for me, did they?
ďˇ Nobody lives here, do they?
7. If the main verb in the sentence is have (not an auxiliary verb), it is more common
to use do in the tag.
ďˇ You have a Ferrari, donât you?
ďˇ She had a great time, didnât she?
8. With used to, we use âdidnâtâ in the tag.
ďˇ You used to work here, didnât you?
ďˇ He used to have long hair, didnât he?
9. We can use affirmative tags after affirmative sentences to express a reaction such as
surprise or interest.
ďˇ Youâre moving to Brazil, are you?