This unit introduces question tags. Question tags are question fragments added to the end of a sentence in order to check for confirmation.
A question tag is a short question at the end of a sentence that turns a statement into a question. When we use a question tag, we typically ask about something we already know to be true, or are fairly certain to be true. To form a question tag, we use the auxiliary or modal verb of the previous clause in combination with the pronoun used in the statement. If no auxiliary or modal verb was used in the previous sentence, but only a main verb, we typically use “do”, “does”, or “did”. Though not grammatically incorrect, it is more common to use contractions when forming question tags.
We use a negative question tag after a positive statement, and we use a positive
question tag after a negative statement.
Examples Positive statements, negative question tags:
Sam plays (main verb) soccer, doesn’t he? (do – contracted) does he not (uncontracted)
Julia has (auxiliary verb) taught English for many years, hasn’t she? (have, contracted) has she not (uncontracted)
Sam and Julia have been married for several years, haven’t they? (have, contracted) have they not (uncontracted)
Ohio State is very big, isn’t it? (to be – contracted) is it not (uncontracted)
Examples Negative statements, positive question tags:
Sam hasn’t played soccer in years, has he?
Julia doesn’t like baking, does she?
They don’t serve wine, do they?
Sam and Julia didn’t get divorced, did they?