Tag questions are used when seeking confirmation of what one believes to be true. They restate, in question form, the previously spoken sentence. For example,
He is an engineer. Isn't he? They're not from Colorado. Are they? Zack is really tired. Isn't he? She is going to Taiwan, isn't she? You have never been to Las Vegas. Have you? The Rays are playing the Jays. Aren't they? You went to the supermarket. Didn't you? Zane doesn't live in Missouri. Does he? Ms. Zeller has a new car. Doesn't she? | (Positive statement, negative tag) (Negative statement, positive tag) (Positive statement, negative tag) (Positive statement, negative tag) (Negative statement, positive tag) (Positive statement, negative tag) (Positive statement, negative tag) (Negative statement, positive tag) (Positive statement, negative tag) |
See also: Grammar: Yes/No Questions
Common mistakes:
You are the zookeeper. Yes? You're the zookeeper. Aren't you? You come from Canada. No? You come from Canada. Don't you? You're the boss. Are you? You're the boss. Aren't you? Simon is from Singapore. Isn't it? Simon is from Singapore. Isn't he? | (Incorrect) (Correct) (Incorrect) (Correct) (Incorrect--in most situations) (Correct) (Incorrect) (Correct) |
- Mr. James will be at the ceremony. Won't he?
They couldn't do it. Could they?
I'm the winner. Aren't I? I'm the winner. Am I not? | (Common usage) (Formal) |
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