Question tags are short questions added to the end of statements to seek confirmation or involve the listener. They follow a strict pattern: positive statement → negative tag; negative statement → positive tag. The tag must use the same auxiliary as the main sentence.
Question tags consist of an auxiliary verb + pronoun. Positive statement → negative tag: "She is a doctor, isn't she?" Negative statement → positive tag: "You haven't met him, have you?" The auxiliary in the tag mirrors the tense and auxiliary of the main clause. If the main clause uses "am", the tag uses "aren't I" (the only exception to the standard pattern).
Practice
It's a beautiful day, ___?
She hasn't finished yet,she?
Put the words in the correct order:
The tag must match the tense and auxiliary of the main clause. Present simple (no auxiliary): "She works here, doesn't she?" Past simple: "They arrived early, didn't they?" Present perfect: "You've been here before, haven't you?" Modal: "He can swim, can't he?" Future: "You'll be there, won't you?" If there is no auxiliary, use do/does/did.
Practice
You've met my sister before, ___?
He can speak Arabic,he?
Put the words in the correct order:
"I am" → the tag is "aren't I" (not "amn't I"). Imperative sentences (commands/requests) take "will you?" or "won't you": "Close the door, will you?" Negative imperatives: "Don't be late, will you?" Sentences with "there is/are": "There's a problem, isn't there?" With "nothing/nobody/never" (already negative): "Nobody called, did they?" (positive tag).
Practice
I'm doing well in the course, ___?
Open the window,you?
Put the words in the correct order: