- On this page:
- Form
- Meaning
- Pronunciation
- Teaching ideas
Form
auxiliary verb + subject
- 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.
- You live in Spain, don’t you?
- If the auxiliary verb in the sentence is affirmative, the tag is negative.
- You’re learning Spanish, aren’t you?
- If the auxiliary verb in the sentence is negative, the tag is affirmative.
- You don’t speak Spanish, do you?
- If the main verb in the sentence is be (am, is, are, was, were), we use this in the tag:
- There is a lot of noise, isn’t there?
- You’re a little late, aren’t you?
Meaning
- We use tag questions to confirm or check information or ask for agreement.
- You want to come with me, don’t you?
- You can swim, can’t you?
- You don’t know where the boss is, do you?
- This meal is horrible, isn’t it?
- That film was fantastic, wasn’t it?
- We use tag questions to check whether something is true.
- The meeting’s tomorrow at 9am, isn’t it?
- You won’t go without me, will you?
Additional points
- In the present form of be: In an affirmative statement, if the subject is “I”, the auxiliary changes to aren’t in the tag.
- I’m sitting next to you, aren’t I?
- I’m a little early, aren’t I?
- With let’s, the tag is shall we?
- Let’s go to the beach, shall we?
- Let’s have a coffee, shall we?
- With an imperative, the tag is will you?
- Close the window, will you?
- Hold this, will you?
- We use an affirmative tag after a sentence containing a negative word such as never, hardly, nobody.
- Nobody lives in this house, do they?
- You’ve never liked me, have you?
- When the subject is nothing, we use “it” in the tag.
- Nothing bad happened, did it?
- Nothing ever happens, does it?
- If the subject is nobody, somebody, everybody, no one, someone or everyone, we use “they” in the tag.
- Nobody asked for me, did they?
- Nobody lives here, do they?
- If the main verb in the sentence is have (not an auxiliary verb), it is more common to use do in the tag.
- You have a Ferrari, don’t you?
- She had a great time, didn’t she?
- With used to, we use “didn’t” in the tag.
- You used to work here, didn’t you?
- He used to have long hair, didn’t he?
- We can use affirmative tags after affirmative sentences to express a reaction such as surprise or interest.
- You’re moving to Brazil, are you?
Pronunciation
- If we don’t know the answer, it is a real question and we use a rising intonation with the tag.
- You don’t know where the boss is, do you? ↗
- If we know the answer and are just confirming the information a falling intonation is used with the tag.
- That film was fantastic, wasn’t it? ↘
Comments
After I introduce the topic, we usually play bingo with tag endings. I give students cards like the bingo ones with different tag endings (for example …, did she? …, haven’t they?). Then I take a paper and read the sentence:
“She went to the supermarket.”
If they have a possible ending, they cross it out. The idea is to complete the card first. Students enjoy the game a lot! They have to pay attention to the tense and pronoun used.
Put some sentences and question tags on cards. Stick the sentences on the wall and distribute the cards with question tags among the students. Ask them to move around and put the tag on the appropriate sentence.
This is an exercise to test students’ ability to come up with quick answers, and it’s very simple. The main pupose is to speed up students’ minds and enabe them to use the structure as fast as they can.
Make a list of sentences covering most structures and tenses (affirmative and negative in random order). You read out one of your sentences in the list and assign one of your students to come up with the proper tag. The student has only one chance to answer. If they are wrong, you go to the next student for the right tag. You should get the right tag before moving on.This exercise is fast and there are no explanations on why the answers they come up with are right or wrong. Students realize their mistakes through their classmates’ answers.
They get a little stressed out because when their turn comes, they tend to panic trying to think of the right tag. This is good because it gets their minds used to responding quickly and directly in English and avoids over-thinking structures and translating from their native language.
You forgot to tell us the difference between let’s…? and let us… in suggestions and requests
e.g.
1 – Let’s go to the zoo, shall we?
2 – Let us go to the zoo, will you?
However I think this is the best explanation for tag question on the internet, thanks.
how to ask in this below case :
let him / me go ……………………………. ?
in case of using the pronoun him and in case of using any other pronoun
thanks
Abuadam, these are imperatives, and in imperatives the subject is always “you”. So the question tags will be like this:
Let him go, will you?
Let me go, will you?
Or…
Let him go, won’t you?
Let me go, won’t you?
Please help me with the tag question:
It’s necessary to make a list of items when carrying out a meeting, …?
The answer is… “isn’t it?”
Isn’t it
It’s can also be written in form of ” It is ” the questions tag will be ” isn’t it “
The dog’s worshipped at Tihar,
Now add tag of it…
The dog’s worshipped at Tihar, isn’t it?
Or, if you prefer to use “he” or “she” to describe the dog, you can say:
The dog’s worshipped at Tihar, isn’t he?
The dog’s worshipped at Tihar, isn’t she?
Hi, I see your support on tags is very well but I’ve some preoccupation on the first person in singular, so what can I do to put the tag when it’s that?
Isn’t it?
Hi there!!!! I have a question. So, we start tomorrow, aren’t we? Is it correct to say like this?
“don’t we” is the correct tag for this sentence. Hope that helps!
Would you please tell me what the tag is for the following sentence:
Jane believes that her team members easily won the game because they are familiar with teamwork, …?
Please help me with the tag question,
I am used to walking in the morning.
He did nothing, …?
Can you add the tag?
First your question is incorrect. You should have written today instead of tomorrow….. But according to that question the tag is …. Don’t we?
What is the answer of ‘Kamal answered the letter .’Add question tag can you answer fast?
What is the answer of ‘Everything is lost’
Please answer fast
Everything is lost, isn’t it?
Kamal answered the letter, didn’t he?
Didn’t he?
We see that they have little knowledge about games and sports, …?
What is its answer?
Didn’t he/she
He’s accused of stealing money, …?
He’s accused of stealing money, isn’t he?
What is the answer for this: “The little girl is playing piano”
“The little girl knew little about the matter” – what is the answer of this tag question? Please care to explain. Thank you.
“little” has a negative meaning here, so we could use an affirmative tag, like this:
The girl knew little about the matter, did she?
But, this doesn’t sound very natural to me. I think this sounds more natural:
The girl knew little about the matter, didn’t she?
All that glitters is not gold, isn’t it / is it?
please explain.
These man drive too fast, we hardly have time to cross the street, …?
Hi Heena
The tag for this is “do we?”
(and “man” needs to change to “men”)
Hope that helps.
You are not happy with the decision…
She said she was happy, …?
She said that she was happy, …?
Congratulations, …?
One should always speak the truth, …?
Ppz, answer with explanation.
Shall I / will you
I have a question,
What will be the Answer?
1. One but all of the members worked for me, …?
2. You surely plan to fail if you fail to plan, …?
1. One but all of the members worked for me, didn’t they? (Do you mean “Not one but all…”?)
2. You surely plan to fail if you fail to plan, don’t you?
I along with my friend went there, …?
What will be the tag?
It depends if you want to talk about just yourself (your friend coming is just extra information):
I, along with my friend, went there, didn’t I?
…or if you are talking about you and your friend as a group of people together:
I along with my friend went there, didn’t we?
1. One but all of the members worked for me, didn’t they?
Hey Eslbase if you don’t mind, can you explain me why you used “they” as pronoun??? Plz help me I’m really confused about it
I think the tag will be same as let’s or let us
Imperative tag
Stop here, will you?
Stop here, won’t you?
Both are possible.
How’s that?
Thanks for the question! What we’re talking about here is question tags with imperative sentences. These are a bit of a special case. We normally use “will you” or “would you” as the tag in imperative sentences, but “won’t you” is also possible.
Remember to lock up, …?
What will be the question tag
Remember to lock up, will you?
OR
Remember to lock up, won’t you?
Both are correct.
Actually, the thing is if the imperative sentence is in an affirmative form , you can use both ‘will you’ or ‘won’t you’ . But the fact is when the imperative sentence is in a negative form, you only can use ‘will you?’ You can’t use ‘won’t you’ in that case. Example:
Do not read the book, _______? Ans.’ will you? ‘ (can’t be ‘won’t you’)
If we have Little or few, the tag is negative? Iittle is done, isn’t it or little is done, is it?
When there is a sentence that contains “little or “few” they denote a negative statement in case of questions tags so the tags of the question should be in positive. But where there is “a little ” or “a few” then the sentence denotes positive statement so we use a negative tag.
What’s the tag
That is John….?
That is John, isn’t it?
Hi! I have a question. “All for none, none for all.” Can this sentence have a tag and if it does what is it?
Is it correct to say: Nothing mentioned, did it?
Hi Leena
Did you mean to say:
“Nothing was mentioned”?
If so, then the correct question tag would be:
“Nothing was mentioned, was it?”
No,I didn’t mean to say that.
I want to know what is the question tag for the sentence “Nothing mentioned”
Hi Leena
The sentence “Nothing mentioned” doesn’t look like a complete sentence. Do you have an example of a conversation where we would find this sentence?
yes.
it could be….
nothing was mentioned.
Nothing is mentioned.
“He has few friends, hasn’t he?” – is it correct?
Hi Angelina
“He has few friends, doesn’t he” is correct.
“Has” in your sentence is the main verb, so we need to use “do” as the auxiliary verb in the tag.
Hope that helps.
few is a negative word, so I think, “does he?” is correct
only few refers to negative sense. In this case tag would be has he/does he?
would you please make it clear about: few & a few, little & a little?
greetings
They have to respect their parents, …?
They have to respect their parents, don’t they?
Shouldn’t they? Is it correct?
“They should respect their parents, shouldn’t they?”
Don’t tell my mother, will you?
Is it correct?
Yes, this is correct.
Yes it is correct because the word nothing is negative and when the reference of a word is not understood “it” is used as a reference.
Hai…
I still confuse about using “hardly ever” and “rarely”.
A word with a negative meaning, the question tag needs to be positive, How many words like that?
They are as few as your fingers
Hello, I’d like to learn what tag question is correct: You have a brother, don’t you? or You have a brother, haven’t you?
Hi Darya
You have a brother, don’t you? is correct.
Hope that helps.
Thanks
Yes it helps to me
One tag is…
I think , we are still friends.
Aren’t we?
Or
Don’t you?
Which one is correct
Aren’t we is correct
Everyone can take time to do good things for others, …?
Everyone can take time to do good things for others, can’t they?
In British English we use “have” as an auxiliary verb but in American we can use both auxiliary and main verb.So both can be correct.
Hi!
There won’t be 10 people, will they?
Is it correct?
Hi Ivan
“There won’t be 10 people, will there?” is correct.
Help me this: Every person should respect the authorities, shouldn’t they? Is it correct or not?
Hi Ngendakunana
To see if this is correct, let’s think of a sentence starting with “Every person…”:
“Every person has to sit down”.
We can see from this sentence that the subject “Every person” takes the third person singular form of the verb (has). This means that the subject that we put in the question tag should be in the third person singular form too. So your sentence should read:
“Every person should respect the authorities, shouldn’t he?”
BUT…
Not everyone is a “he” so it does’t seem right to say this. Also, not everyone is a “she” so we can’t use this either. In these circumstances, the common thing to do is to use “they”, exactly like you did.
So your sentence is correct!
These are books, aren’t they or aren’t these?
Hi Ayla
These are books, aren’t they?
There are three hundred students in this room, aren’t there? Is it the correct tag?
Yes, that’s correct.
Hello, Roman. I believe you’re coming to the airport, …?
Everyone objected her to come along with us… tag?
“No one will be coming, will they?”
Is this grammatically correct?
Hi Rey D
This is similar to the comment above from Ngendakunana. if we start a sentence with the subject “No one” we can see that it takes the third person singular form of the verb:
“No one has seen him”.
So the subject in the question tag should also be in the third person singular form (“he” or “she”). But not everyone is a “he” and not everyone is a “she”, so the common thing to do is to use “they”.
So your sentence is correct!
It’s too hot to drink, is it ? Is that correct?
Hi Mohamed
The correct sentence is: It’s too hot to drink, isn’t it?
Tell me please, it is correct to say:
Everyone ought to respect the elders, shouldn’t they?
Hi Irina
“Ought to” and “should” have the same meaning so this is just okay, although it sounds a little strange because you are using a different modal verb in the question tag.
You could say “Everyone ought to respect their elders, oughtn’t they?”
…but “oughtn’t they” sounds a bit heavy. So it might be better to say “Everyone should respect their elders, shouldn’t they?”
Please could any one recommend me a perfect and absolute Grammar reference since most of these references have their own defects ?
Hi Yehia
I don’t think such a thing exists!
English grammar is constantly evolving and changing, and as a result different people have different interpretations of grammar rules, and place more or less importance on different aspects of the language.
These different perspectives depend not only on the fact that grammar is changing, but also on why a particular grammar reference is written and for whom, the background of the author, and many other factors.
Hope that helps.
Is there any rules to be applied for imperative sentences like negative imperative followed by will you……
Hi Rejilkumar
With negative imperative sentences, we use “will” in the tag:
Don’t wait too long, will you?
Hope that helps.
Every young girl and boy wants to be happy, doesn’t he?
Every young girl and boy wants to be happy, don’t they?
Which is correct ?
Hi Leyla
“Every young girl and boy wants to be happy, don’t they?”
This is correct. “Every young girl and boy” is similar to saying “Everyone”. if you have a look at number 6 in the article above, you will see that with “everyone” we use “they” in the tag question.
I am going to stay a hotel which i stayed last year.
How it would be in tag
I am going to stay at a hotel
which I stayed last year, aren’t I?
Can you tell me:
“Nobody but you noticed my existence,……………?”
Nobody but you noticed my existence, did they?
A person has locked the door , haven’t they ?
is it correct ?
Could you please give explanation…
This is correct when we don’t know if the person is male or female.
We can’t say “hasn’t he?” or “hasn’t she?” so we use “they” instead.
Your sister bought a new car… Can I get help?
The tag for this is: “didn’t she?”
Nobody but you noticed my existence, did they?
There is little we can do for him —–?
There is little we can do for him, is there?
if the word “little” comes then it’s a negative sentence so the answer will be – is there ?
You’re absolutely right, I’ve edited my comment above.
I need your help “stop giving me advice”
Stop giving me advice, will you?
OR
Stop giving me advice, won’t you?
Noone cares me in need,…?
One should speak the truth,…?
All is well,…?
Someone is coming,…?
Hi Zinam
Noone cares for me in need, do they?
One should speak the truth, shouldn’t they?
All is well, isn’t it?
Someone is coming, aren’t they?
Here little has a negative connotation. Can we, instead, say – There is little we can do for him, can we?
or, There is little we can do for him, is there?
Hi Vinod
“There is little we can do for him, is there?” is correct.
Please its urgent.
Answer this question.
Every adult has the right to marry,______?
which is the best question tag here?
Every adult has the right to marry, don’t they?
Thanks ESLbase. I wrote the same in an exam and they say haven’t they is the answer for this question.
Can you give me one source/book which explains the usage of don’t they in this case?
I need to file a complaint against them. I need a source to produce.
Hi Rahul
The usage of “don’t they” in this example follows the rule for all question tags: We take the auxiliary verb from the main clause and use it in the tag. In the absence of an auxiliary verb in the main clause, we use “do” in the tag (or does, or did).
So, in your example, there is no auxiliary verb in the main clause – “has” is the main verb here. As a result we use “do” in the tag.
Now, in spoken English we hear many instances where these “rules” are broken, and that’s because English grammar rules are not set in stone. That’s how the language evolves, as different ways of saying things become common and accepted and therefore a part of the language. Using “haven’t they” in your example is an example of this. BUT – you certainly shouldn’t have been penalised for using “don’t they” as this is perfectly correct.
I don’t have a specific source which quotes this example exactly, but, for example “Practical English Usage” by Michael Swan, a respected grammar reference, states the rule I have explained above.
Every adult has the right to marry, haven’t they?
I think both of them are ok. In Bristish English you say you have got a car, but in American English you have a car.
“have” here means possess so you can say you have a car, don’t you or haven’t you?
However, You often have dinner with her, don’t you? Not haven’t you?
come on time, ______ ?
Can you give the full sentence before the tag?
I have some questions:
Rahim wasn’t speaking to you, …?
The apartment is quite big, …?
We have met earlier, …?
You can’t look into the features, …?
Rahim wasn’t speaking to you, was he?
The apartment is quite big, isn’t it?
We have met earlier, …? Present perfect doesn’t work with a time reference like “earlier”. So you could say:
– We have met, haven’t we? OR
– We met earlier, didn’t we?
You can’t look into the features, can you?
I saw the helicopter will be changed into
“did I saw the helicopter ”
is it correct??
Hi Priyanka
This isn’t really related to question tags but to questions – please see https://www.eslbase.com/grammar/questions for this.
(The question would be “Did I see the helicopter?”)
Either John or his sister rebuked us,………..?
what’s the correct tag of this sentence?
…didn’t they?
Could you please explain the answer ?
Hi, ESLbase..
I just saw that the term “someone” is the same as “everyone, nobody, etc”
So “Someone called me last night, didn’t they?”
Is that correct?
Hi Riken – yes, that’s correct to say that.
They think they are wiser than others. Dont they?.. is this tag right? Or it will be.. are they?
“They think they are wiser than others, don’t they?” is correct.
It is right because the first verb is a main verb, so we need the auxiliary “do” while building the question tag.
I don’t think he has won the match, ?
could you tell me how to change into tag question?
I don’t think he has won the match, has he?
Is “Do I?” correct?
Yes, this is also correct, but it changes the meaning of your sentence.
“I don’t think he has won the match, has he?” makes the tag about him winning the match
“I don’t think he has won the match, do I?” makes the tag, and the focus of the sentence, about what you think. Winning the match is less important in this sentence.
“They think they are wiser than others, don’t they?” is correct.
“I don’t think he has won the match, has he?” is correct.
Please help me if I said in first sentence (aren’t they)
And in second (do I)
Would it be wrong?
Explain?
And how to find the main verb?
Mr. Rahim and not his colleagues helped him,………?
Mr. Rahim and not his colleagues helped him, didn’t he?
what is tag of (thank you.)
Thank you isn’t a clause (it doesn’t contain a subject and a verb). So we can’t make a question tag from it.
Hope that helps.
Here is a man,………….? What would be the question tag?
I think the question tag would be “isn’t it”. But this is a strange clause to use a question tag with. It would be more common to say “This is a man, isn’t it?”
Thank you in advance
Let us prepare the breakfast , will you ? as a request not as a suggestion
is my sentence true?
I think it would be difficult to use “Let us” or “Let’s” as a request.
The correct question tag to use is “shall we?”
what should be the tag of the sentence
Dogs are loyal.?
should it be ‘aren’t they or isn’t it?
“Dogs” is plural, so the pronoun to use is “they”, and we need the third person plural form of the verb “be”:
Dogs are loyal, aren’t they?
Someone is writing an essay.what is the question tag of this sentence?
“Someone is writing an essay, aren’t they?”
What will be the tag question of “what a beautiful bird it is……………….?
What a beautiful bird it is, isn’t it?
One can do this,……..? What is the question tag of this sentence? Please reply.
We would say: “One can do this, can’t one?” – although this sounds very formal.
Is it also possible alternatively to say: “…, can’t they?”
may be correct? Thank you.
What will be the tag question for Their gifts, were no doubts wise ones, ____?could u tell me whether this statement is positive or negative
The tag question would be “weren’t they?”.
So the whole sentence would be: “Their gifts were no doubt wise ones, weren’t they?”
She has a pen
Ans:hasn’t she
Is it correct?
In your sentence, “has” is the main verb in the sentence, not an auxiliary verb. If “has” is the main verb, we use “do” as the auxiliary verb in the tag:
“She has a pen, doesn’t she?”
However, “She has a pen, hasn’t she?” is often heard in spoken English, and any grammar that is commonly used can be considered correct!
Please give me the solution of the tag question – ” Many men many minds,…….?
Hi Arif
It’s not possible to add a tag question to your example, because it is not a clause with a subject and a verb. We need a clause with a subject and a verb to add a tag question.
Hope that helps.
Ahmed is told, …?
What is the tag question
Hi Ahmed
The tag question would be: “Ahmed is told, isn’t he?”
However, if you use “told”, it normally needs a direct object. For example: “Ahmed was told the news, wasn’t he?”
The bag is too heavy to lift ,is it ?
The bag is too heavy to lift ,isn’t it ?
Which is correct ,please .
thanks .
Hi Ramzy
Both of these are correct.
Normally, we would use “The bag is too heavy to lift, isn’t it?”
But we can use an affirmative tag with an affirmative sentence to express a reaction like surprise or interest:
“The bag is too heavy to lift, is it?”
(see point 9 in the post above).
Thank you Eslbase I really appreciate.
I am never seen a girl like you,…………..?
“I have never seen a girl like you, have I?”
what will you use for the tag question of this sentence?
– He ought to go,…..?
He ought to go, oughtn’t he?
Hi, please what is correct tag for this sentence: there was a phonecall for me yesterday, ……..?
“wasn’t there?”
what is the question tag of this sentence; “one of the girls gave up her seat”, help please!
The tag is “didn’t she?”
Can I write the tag question in the long form like this
He is my friend, is not he?
Or it must be abbreviated “isn’t he?
No, you must write the contracted form “isn’t he?”
I am all right, … (question tag)
I am all right, aren’t I?
Please help me
Your uncle said that he would do his best to help you, … ?
a. wouldn’t he
b. didn’t he
Does the tag refer to “your uncle SAID” or ” he WOULD do”
Thankyou
The tag is “didn’t he?” – it refers to “Your uncle said”.
I have been searching for “you will, _______ ?”
Please help me to solve this. Also email me if possible because I rarely use internet.
Thanks
Deepak Bisht
“You will, won’t you?”
I have been searching for
1. No body takes the reduction of warheads in serious terms (add tag question)
2. Not enough effort has been made in the last fifty years to foster that memory (add tag question) plzzz help me to solve this.
1. Nobody takes the reduction of warheads in serious terms, do they?
2. Not enough effort has been made in the last fifty years to foster that memory, has it?
I beg to differ with you. Not enough effort has been made in the last fifty years to foster…., has it? Can we use ‘have they”‘ as question tag, because subject implied here is ‘people’ who did not make enough effort. Please help.
Hi Vinod
The sentence is passive, and “Not enough effort” has moved to the subject position in this passive sentence. So the correct tag is “has it?”
Hope that helps.
you have taken that bag,______?
a.have you
b.haven’t they
c.don’t you
d.none
Which one is the correct answer and why?
Could you explain a little bit?
How to teach a tag question? Please help me.
And how to give him motivation so that they are not bored in class.
Please help me.
Thank you so much.
Please have a look at some of the comments in this section – some teachers have added some good teaching ideas for tag questions.
Answer with explanation
She speaks German well, …?
She speaks German well, doesn’t she?
Please see Point 1 under “Form” in the post above for an explanation.
Why do we use are instead of am only in positive to negative sentences?
This is because in tag questions, we normally contract “am not” to “aren’t”.
So we can say: “I am here, aren’t I?”
We could also say: “I am here, am I not?” …but this is more formal.
But you should be more precise in the course text, in the additional points #1. Because “aren’t I?” is only used in negative tag questions. But we won’t say “are I?” in affirmative form. For example “I’m not dead, am I?”.
Hi Eddy, thanks for pointing this out – I’ve made the change in the article.
What will be the tag question – “One but all the members looked for him, ———-?
This sentence doesn’t quite make sense. Could it be: “Not one but all the members looked for him” ?
In this case, the tag question is “…didn’t they?”
I understood that everything has a name (add a tail tag)
There are two possibilities:
I understood that everything has a name, didn’t I? (I understood… didn’t I?
I understood that everything has a name, doesn’t it? (everything has a name… doesn’t it?)
I am Happy.
What is the tag question of this?
I am happy, aren’t I?
Please help me by checking if the tags are correct:
I know that he is honest, isn’t he?
We know that he is honest, isn’t he?
He knew Runa will come, won’t she?
Hope you will come, won’t you?
I know she is guilty, isn’t she?
I know that he is honest, isn’t he?
We know that he is honest, isn’t he?
I know she is guilty, isn’t she?
Hope you will come, won’t you?
These are correct. For the first three, you could also say:
I know that he is honest, don’t I?
We know that he is honest, don’t we?
I know she is guilty, don’t I?
…depending on which part of the sentence you want to make the tag about.
He knew Runa will come, won’t she?
Although this looks similar to the other three examples, it doesn’t work with this tag. This is correct:
He knew Runa will come, didn’t he?
I think that he is an honest man….?
I think that he is an honest man, don’t I?
OR
I think that he is an honest man, isn’t he?
He as well as his friends enjoyed the match. Which tag is suitable for this sentence?
I think both of the following would work:
He as well as his friends enjoyed the match, didn’t they?
He as well as his friends enjoyed the match, didn’t he?
One can not go there. What would be the question tag?
One can not go there, can one? (This is very formal though)
They rarely have money… (which question tag is used?)
They rarely have money, do they?
What will be the question tag of the statement “You may leave now”?
It’s not possible to make a question tag for this statement. You could change it to “You can leave now” – the question tag for this would be “can’t you?”
I would be much grateful for your help (with explanation):
You’d rather I didn’t say anything, …?
I take it you won’t be coming then, …?
You’d rather I didn’t say anything, wouldn’t you?
The auxiliary verb in the main clause is “would”, so we make this negative in the tag.
I take it you won’t be coming then, will you?
The auxiliary verb in the main clause is “won’t”, so we make this affirmative in the tag.
You think you are so smart
The suitable question tag is : aren’t you or don’t you ???
You think you are so smart, don’t you?
Everyone is ready… isn’t it or aren’t they?
Everyone is ready, aren’t they?
The problems seem annoying to the people… don’t they or aren’t they?
Thank you.
The problems seem annoying to the people, don’t they?
I love you………?
I hate you……..?
I don`t love you……..?
Please solve them.
Hi Narenda
Please see points 1, 2 and 3 under the “Form” section above, and post what you think the answers should be here. If you’re still stuck after that, I will give you some pointers.
Rahul likes to eat chocolate…? What will be the question tag for this?
Rahul likes to eat chocolate, doesn’t he?
Thanks a million for your useful explanation and effort. I have a question here concerning the following sentences:
1- You have to study, don’t you?
2- John has to study, doesn’t he?
Are the above question tags correct?
Yes, both correct!
Hello
Could you tell me the tag questions of the following and a little bit explain them.
I am a doctor, aren’t I?
I am a doctor, am I not?
Hi, both are correct.
“am I not?” is more formal and is rarely used in spoken English. Sometimes we use it in spoken English to reinforce the point in the statement in order to show authority. For example:
“Can you help him?”
“Of course I can help him. I am a doctor, am I not?”
I am not very disappointed……..?
And
I should have been able to do it…..?
What is tag question for both?
Hi, there.
What is the question tag for:
There exists no air on Mars, …?
No one is satisfied, …?
Let me do the work, …?
No one is satisfied, are they?
Let me do the work, won’t you / will you?
I am not very disappointed, am I?
I should have been able to do it, shouldn’t I?
Thank you very much for your explanation. i have a question. Please help me
This is Mary, ……?
This is Mary, isn’t it?
Please tell me the question tag for
There comes the teacher
Hi Moses. This would be better:
Here comes the teacher.
And the question tag would be:
…doesn’t he?
Hi,
Please, help me.
I am a professor,…?
Tag Question with Reasons.
I am a professor, aren’t I?
Please see Additional point number 1 in the article above for the reason.
What will be the question tag for “Him and I are best friends?”
Hi Elena
It would be better to say: “He and I are best friends”.
The question tag would be:
…aren’t we?
Something should be done……
Please tell me for this
Something should be done, shouldn’t it?
Something must be done for us, …?
Options are given
Will you?
Won’t you?
Which will be correct?
Something is better than nothing – What will be the tag question, please?
Something is better than nothing, isn’t it?
Hi,
Could you help me with the following question tags:
“You could have told me, couldn’t you? or… haven’t you? and must have/should have + past participle
Sincerely
“You could have told me, couldn’t you?” is correct.
Hi
The tag question is “Thank you very much, …?”
Then, I imagine it as “I say that thank you very much, do I?
Like “What a pity, …?
“What a pity it is, isn’t it?”
I will be right or wrong?
Hi Royal
“Thank you very much” – it is difficult to make a tag question for this.
But:
“I say thank you very much”:
– “I say thank you very much, don’t I?”
or
– “I say thank you very much, do I?” (see Additional points, number 9 in the explanation at the top of this page.)
“What a pity it is, isn’t it?” – this is correct.
You could also say:
“It’s such a pity, isn’t it?”
Thank you very much, will you? Is it correct?
Hi – please see my comment just above for this answer.
You are right. Thank you very much, don’t I? It is correct.100% right
Hi Najmul
“Thank you very much, don’t I?” isn’t correct – please read my comment above for more on this.
Hope this helps.
The question tag of
Ram said that he was there.
Ram said that he was there, didn’t he?
What will be the question tag for:
“No one is gonna do that” ???
No one is going to do that, are they?
(“Gonna” is used more in spoken English – in written English it is “going to”)
What will be the tag for this sentence. I am not late.
I am not late, am I?
he’s a survival expert…?
He’s a survival expert, isn’t he?
What could be the answer to the following questions:
Mina had better stay home, …?
Something is burning, …?
We have to study English, …?
It is a man who pollutes his environment, …?
Rahim, as well as his friends, was present, …?
Hi Kabo
Mina had better stay home, hadn’t she?
Something is burning, isn’t it?
We have to study English, don’t we?
It is a man who pollutes his environment, isn’t it? (“He is a man who pollutes his environment, isn’t he?” is better.)
Rahim, as well as his friends, was present, wasn’t he?
What question tag should I use for
You will go to attend the party today…?
Hi Anika
You will go to attend the party today, won’t you?
But this would be better:
You will go to the party today, won’t you?
She said she had met my friend, … she? – hadn’t or didn’t? please
She said she had met my friend, didn’t she?
I disliked the idea of making omelette (correct the sentence).
Mother was not at home.
Hi Balu, the question tags for these are:
I disliked the idea of making omelette, didn’t I?
Mother was not at home, was she?
What is the question tag of this?
You and my brother watched this movie.
You and my brother watched this movie, didn’t you.
Thank you so much sir
Mr. John said, “I live in a remote village, …”?
I live in a remote village, don’t I?
I think you are still single, don’t I? Or aren’t you? Which is correct?
I think you are still single, don’t I?
I think you are still single, aren’t you?
Both are correct, depending on the context – which verb are you checking with the tag?
Please ask the boys to come in, won’t you?
Is it correct?
Yes, that is correct. Or you can say “will you?”
What is the answer of this tag question?
I know how it works on people, …?
I know how it works on people, don’t I?
Either of the girls is intelligent, …?
Tania, not her sister, is going to see the film, …?
Either of the girls is intelligent, aren’t they?
Tania, not her sister, is going to see the film, isn’t she?
At present, everybody likes cricket – correct tag answer
At present, everybody likes cricket, don’t they?
Come on time, won’t you?
OR
Come on time, will you?
Both are correct!
There is no meaning in going there. Question tag
There is no meaning in going there, is there?
1. I think he is honest, isn’t he?
2. I hope you are keeping well, aren’t you?
3. I guess you are older than he, aren’t you?
4. I think that you will do better in the exam, don’t I?
5. I believe you are coming to the airport, aren’t you?
Please tell me all the tags are correct
All these are correct, but number 4 could also be:
“I think that you will do better in the exam, won’t you?”
Question tag for: Get out! The teacher has said, …? (plus explanation please)
Hi Sultan
Both these are correct:
“The teacher has said, hasn’t he?”
“The teacher said, didn’t he?”
The auxiliary verb in the question tag is in the same tense as the main verb in the statement.
I hope this helps.
Who cares…?
Hi Abida
We can’t use a question tag with “Who cares?” because this is already a question. We use question tags at the ends of statements.
I hope this helps.
Hi
Good job you’re doing here.
Please help with this.
If one was to ask a question without an accompanying tag, what would the correct response be?
“You didn’t leave the house on time.” – “No, I didn’t’ or “Yes, I didn’t”?
Know that the person did not leave on time.
That said, is it correct to leave the question tag out even?
I expect a response in my mail, please.
Thank you.
“You didn’t leave the house on time.” – “No, I didn’t. – This is correct.
“You didn’t leave the house on time” is a statement, rather than a question. The expected response would depend on the context, the intonation used, etc. So it is possible to leave out the question tag, but the speaker would need to make it clear from his intonation (and from the context) that he expected some kind of response.
Hope this helps.
You like playing basketball, and he likes running, …?
How to tag this question? Thanks
Hi Lila
It’s not possible to add a question tag for both statements at the same time, because the two subjects are different (“you” and “he”).
So you could add a tag just for the second statement:
“You like playing basketball, and he likes running, doesn’t he?”
Or you could say something different, for example:
“You like playing basketball, and he likes running, right?”
Hope this helps.
Hey. Help me please!
What is the tag for the following sentence:
I said that old car isn’t reliable, …?
I said that old car isn’t reliable, didn’t I?
1. Ali has visited sixteen countries.
2. I was here early morning.
3. He doesn’t have six fingers in his left hand.
Please convert them to tag questions
1. Ali has visited sixteen countries, hasn’t he?
2. I was here early morning, wasn’t I?
3. He doesn’t have six fingers in his left hand, does he?
4. I have walked all the way from Muree to Islamabad.
5. Your phone number is 0301-432-1212
6. The balance in your account is 70,000
Please also change this in tag questions
4. I have walked all the way from Muree to Islamabad, haven’t I?
5. Your phone number is 0301-432-1212, isn’t it?
6. The balance in your account is 70,000, isn’t it?
Someone is crying aren’t they?
How to tag the question?
Hi Shahzaib – Your answer is correct.
DO you believe in witchcraft, don’t you?
Hi Freeman
If you say “Do you believe in witchcraft?” this is a direct question, and we can’t use a tag with it. You would have to change it to:
“You do believe in witchcraft, don’t you?”
Awesome I never had such complete information.
Tnx.
Would you mind telling me how to use tag questions with “will you”, “won’t you”, “can’t you”?
Ex. “Shut up will you / won’t you / can’t you? – Which to use?
And what about can, ex. “Help me with English, can you?”
Where to use “would” and “could”
How to make a tag of negative imperative ?
Thank you
Hi
With imperatives, we normally use “won’t” if the imperative is an invitation (“Come in, won’t you?”).
If the imperative is giving an order, we can use “can”, “can’t”, “will” or “would”. So for your example, all of these would be okay:
Shut up, will you?
Shut up, would you?
Shut up, can you?
Shut up, can’t you?
Will and would sound the most natural in this example.
Hope that helps.
Hi elbase,
can you please tell me how we use question tags with sentences begining with: each, every, a number of, the number of
Hi – can you give some examples of sentences?
Thank you for the lessons.
The thing which is not yet clear for me is to know whether after an imperative sentence we can or not use the negative or affirmative tag.
Example: “Do your homework”.
Will the answer be “will you” or “won’t you?”
Hi Atsu
Both are correct. “will you?” is probably a little less polite.
It seems that she is in a gang, …?
I think its answer should be “isn’t she?”
Is it correct ?
That is correct. You could also say:
“It seems she is in a gang, doesn’t it?” if you want the question tag to be for “it seems…”
she is… isn’t she?
it seems… doesn’t it?
The Headmaster will help her…?
Can you please say the question tag used here
The Headmaster will help her, won’t he/she?
I think the sentence “Either of the girls is intelligent, aren’t they?” should be “Either of the girls is intelligent, are they?”, shouldn’t it?
The verb “is” is affirmative, and so we change it to negative in the tag. I hope this helps.
we need to sleep earlier, …? add the correct tag and explain too
We need to sleep earlier, don’t we?
Correct
What is the question tag for “He is unable to attend the school”. Is he? or Isn’t he?
He is unable to attend the school, isn’t he.
Pls tell me why it is isn’t he?
Hi Sushma
The main verb in the sentence is “is”.
We use the main verb again in the tag. It is affirmative in the sentence, so we make it negative in the tag.
Hope that helps.
The sentence is negative. Why it is isn’t he?
That’s why they left. Give question tag.
That’s why they left, isn’t it.
Could you please tell me what is the question tag for “good morning, have a nice day”
I shall tell you the other day about it…?
With “shall” the tag is “shan’t” so in your sentence it would be:
“I shall tell you the other day about it, shan’t I?
John keeps talking all the time. That’s disgusting ……….?
John keeps talking all the time. That’s disgusting, isn’t it?
1. It’s been a long day, …?
2 There hasn’t been a phone call for me, …?
3 Hardly anyone turned up to the meeting, …?
4 He never takes responsibility for his actions, …?
5 I’m going to be late, …?
6 Give me have a hand, …?
7 She should ask for help if she needs it, …?
8 We had great fun at the carnival, …?
9 Let’s meet up again next week, …?
10 Don’t tell anybody what I said, …?
All of these follow the rules from the beginning of this post:
1. It’s been a long day, hasn’t it?
2 There hasn’t been a phone call for me, has there?
3 Hardly anyone turned up to the meeting, did they?
4 He never takes responsibility for his actions, does he?
5 I’m going to be late, aren’t I?
6 Give me have a hand, will you?
7 She should ask for help if she needs it, shouldn’t she?
8 We had great fun at the carnival, didn’t we?
9 Let’s meet up again next week, shall we?
10 Don’t tell anybody what I said, will you?
What is the tag of
He ought not to have invited him
Hi Mashfee
You could say “He ought not to have invited him, ought he?”
But “He shouldn’t have invited him, should he?” sounds better (ought to and should have the same meaning).
Everybody will appreciate your kind behavior, …?
Everybody will appreciate your kind behavior, won’t they?
Samuel and Muze are cousins, aren’t they?
This is correct.
pass me the salt (add a question tag)
Pass me the salt, will you?
What is the correct question tag for “You have nothing to do”
You have nothing to do, do you?
No need to publish it, doesn’t it? Is this correct?
If not, what’s the correct sentence to use?
No need to publish it, is there?
This is because if we say the complete sentence, it will be: “There is no need to publish it, is there?”
Thank you so much!
Please answer this..
The river flooded last week, doesn’t it?
He was one of the most talented actors of his generation, wasn’t he?
We need stronger discipline in the school, don’t we?
They worked hard to bring some drastic changes in their factory, didn’t they?
That was a boring speech, wasn’t it?
I have been answering, haven’t it?
You don’t really help her, do you?
I am right, aren’t I?
Three of my friends are coming to dinner, aren’t they?
Don’t hit it so hard, do you?
Tuesday is her half-day, isn’t it?
Let’s meet at 8, can we?
You’ve been there, haven’t you?
Don’t be absurd,
Here are the corrected ones, all the others are correct:
The river flooded last week, didn’t it?
I have been answering, haven’t I?
Don’t hit it so hard, will you?
Let’s meet at 8, can we? (or “shall we?”)
Don’t be absurd, will you.
He used to be your boss, did he? OR didn’t he?
I have a doubt as English Grammar Today – Cambridge Dictionary says “did he? ”
Please explain the correct answer. Thank you
Hi Yaso
Both can be correct:
– If we say “He used to be your boss, didn’t he?”, we are confirming or checking information.
– If we say “He used to be your boss, did he?”, we are probably expressing surprise or interest.
Hope that helps.
Thank you.
What is the tag for :
A student who is lazy cannot accomplish anything,
Please explain the answer. Thank you.
what is the tag for:
A student who is lazy cannot accomplish anything, can they? Or can he/she?
please explain the answer. Thank you
I have a question for you, please help me with it.
“I don’t suppose you have seen my glasses, …?”
“I don’t suppose you have seen my glasses, have you?”
What is question tag of all is sold.
All is sold, isn’t it?
Only two days are left, isn’t it? / aren’t they?
Which one is correct?
“Only two days are left, aren’t they?” is correct.
However, it sounds more natural to say:
“There are only two days left, aren’t there?”
The Door is Locked?
Selene broke the figures?
walking in that part of the park is prohibited?
The girls won the game?
The gentleman is allowed to enter the hall?
The doctor examines the patient?
The dog bite the stranger?
They know what to do?
She is happy?
You enjoying trekking and hiking?
We must honor the elderly?
Please open the door, …?
Answer plz
Please open the door, will you?
Or
Please open the door, won’t you?
What question tag will come for
– she said nothing
– he brings books
– he has ___ 1 rupee note
– he knew nothing
She said nothing, did she?
He brings books, doesn’t he?
He has ___ 1 rupee note, doesn’t he?
He knew nothing, did he?
His staying power is valued to all, ___?
His involvement with all is rarely praised, ___?
He forbade him to join with them, ___?
The unfed should be fed, ___?
All’s well that ends well, ___?
please answer these tag questions as soon as possible
His staying power is valued to all, isn’t it?
His involvement with all is rarely praised, is it?
He forbade him to join with them, didn’t he?
The unfed should be fed, shouldn’t they?
All’s well that ends well, isn’t it?
Are you my teacher, …?
Hi Nahiz, to make a tag question with this, first we need to turn it into a statement:
“You are my teacher”
Then we can add the tag:
“You are my teacher, aren’t you?”
Somebody is walking
I am confused here
Isn’t they or aren’t they
Somebody is walking, aren’t they?
Please help me to solve this tag: “Not all men joined the meeting that day, …?”
Not all men joined the meeting that day, did they?
What are the question tags for:
1) Someone has come, …
2) Raj Kishor hardly recognized us, …
3) There was a lot of traffic, …
4) There are a lot of people, …
1) Someone has come, haven’t they?
Or, if you know the gender of the person who has come, you can say:
Someone has come, hasn’t he? / hasn’t she?
2) Raj Kishor hardly recognized us, did he?
3) There was a lot of traffic, wasn’t there?
4) There are a lot of people, aren’t there?
When we check information the intonation goes down with __________ but with ________ goes up.
Could fill the blanks with explanation
Hi Alan
When we are just checking information, the intonation normally goes down (falling intonation) on the tag. If it’s a real question and we don’t know the answer, the intonation normally goes up (rising intonation) on the tag.
you have taken that bag,______?
a.have you
b.haven’t they
c.don’t you
d.none
Which one is the correct answer and why?
Could you explain a little bit,please?
Someone has heard the news, has they? Is this the correct answer?
Hi Fardeen
Normally it is:
“Someone has heard the news, haven’t they?”
But:
“Someone has heard the news, have they?” can be correct – please see number 9 under “Additional points”.
Hi dear teacher
Please answer my question.
you have taken that bag,______?
a.have you
b.haven’t they
c.don’t you
d.none
Which one is the correct answer and why?
Could you explain a little bit,please?
This is my car.
Those are my cars.
These are my pens.
What are the question tags?
This is my car, isn’t it?
Those are my cars, aren’t they?
These are my pens, aren’t they?
Every religion teaches humanity, …?
What is the tag question of this statement? Plz give me the answer. Is it – doesn’t it? Or don’t they?
The correct tag is “don’t they?”
hello, what would be the correct tag for this question: Give me a hand with this, …? I would say – will you? but in my book the correct answer is “aren’t you?”
Hi Elena
You are correct that the answer is “will you?”:
Give me a hand with this, will you?
If your book says that the answer is “aren’t you?”, it must be a mistake…
Hope that helps.
They are on the way, …?
They are on the way, aren’t they?
Please help me when we use neither of a subject so the tag question will be plural or singular and give an example please, like this one:
Neither of your father came to meet the teacher, did he?
Hi Lina
Neither of your parents came to meet the teacher, did they?
Hope this helps.
Peter still hasn’t arrived, has he? or does he?
Peter still hasn’t arrived, has he?
What will be the question tag for the following sentence?
Let’s not go to the party today, …?
Let’s not go to the party today, shall we?
Dear ESL
What are the tag questions for the following?
1. Man is mortal, …?
2. One lie begets hundreds of lies, …?
1. Man is mortal, isn’t he?
2. One lie begets hundreds of lies, doesn’t it?
What is the tag question for
1. Thank you very much…?
2. What a surprise…?
3. Who cares…?
4. Welcome…?
5. How sweetly the bird sings…?
5. How sweetly the bird sings, doesn’t it?
For the others, unfortunately it isn’t possible to make tag questions.
Please help me with the following questions:
One of you can go, …?
Neither he or she has done the works, …?
You and she can play badminton, …?
Hi Ruhi
One of you can go, can’t you?
Neither he nor she has done the work, have they?
You and she can play badminton, can’t you?
Those trees rarely give flowers in February, …?
Those trees rarely give flowers in February, do they?
1) The honest should be respected, …?
2) None of them supported the idea …?
3) Idleness spoils life, …?
4) Hard works can bring success, …?
5) He hardly realizes it, …?
Please solve these tag questions please please please
1) The honest should be respected, shouldn’t they?
2) None of them supported the idea did they?
3) Idleness spoils life, doesn’t it?
4) Hard works can bring success, can’t it?
5) He hardly realizes it, does he?
Someone hates chasing deer, …?
Someone hates chasing deer, don’t they?
The lion was the king of the forest, …?
The lion was the king of the forest, wasn’t he?
You’d have dinner on time…?
…wouldn’t you?
Everybody gets married…? What is the correct tag of it? Can we write don’t they?
“Everybody gets married, don’t they” is correct.
*Few aspirants could crack that examination.
(Add a question tag)
Few aspirants could crack that examination, could they?
You told me that after exams you would visit me
You told me that after exams you would visit me, didn’t you?
Alice will come tonight, …?
Alice will come tonight, won’t she?
Hi, I’ve just discussed with my students:
We could go swimming, …?
I see it should be a “couldn’t we” tag. But this also sounds much like an offer/suggestion, do you think it would be grammatically acceptable to use “shall we”?
Thank you…