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Tags are short clauses that look like questions. They are generally used at the end of a clause to ask for a response from the listener. Let's learn more!
What Are Tags?
Tags are short additions that look like either questions, statements, or imperatives and are added to a clause to get a response from the listener or check if the listener agrees with what was said. Tags are very common in spoken English, but not in formal written English.
Tags: Form
We add tags to the end of a statement. If the verb of the sentence is the auxiliary verb 'be', 'have', or a modal, they are used as the verb in the tag as well.
Generally, if the statement is positive, the tag verb will be negative, and vice versa.
She
You
He
When the main verb is in the present simple or past simple tense, we use the auxiliary verb 'do' to form the tag. For example:
He
You
Tip!
In negative tags, normally the contracted form is used.
Tags: Types
There are different types of tags in spoken English:
- Question tags
- Statement tags
- Imperative tags
- Universal tags
Question Tags
Tag questions are like mini-questions that come at the end of a sentence. We use tag questions to invite a response from the listener. They are very common in spoken English.
Question Tags: Type 1
The basic structure of a tag question is:
- positive statement + negative tag
- negative statement + positive tag
He
You
Negative Adverbs
Some adverbs like never, rarely, seldom, hardly, barely, and scarcely have a negative meaning. If they are used in a statement, the meaning of the whole statement becomes negative, therefore, we should use a positive question tag.
He
She
Tag Questions: Type 2
The type 2 question tags consist of an affirmative main clause and an affirmative tag. We use type 2 question tags when we are not sure whether the answer is yes or no. The intonation is usually a rising tone.
You're Alan's brother, are you?
Exceptions
an example of using a question tag
- If the verb of the main clause is 'am', then we should use the negative tag form aren't.
Well, I
- If the verb of the main clause is 'used to', then the tag verb will be did.
He
- If the verb of the main clause is 'ought to', most commonly the tag is should.
He
- If the sentence begins with the verb phrase 'Let's', the tag verb will be shall we.
- If the main verb of the sentence is 'have got', the tag verb will be have.
He
- If the sentence begins with 'there is/are', the tag is also constructed with be + there.
- If the sentence begins with 'That/This + be', the tag is constructed with 'be' + 'it'.
Tag Questions: Intonation
The intonation of tag questions can either be rising or falling. Tag questions with rising intonation sound like real questions. But Tag questions with falling intonation sound more like statements that do not require a real response.
You don't know where my wallet is,
Rising intonation: a real question
It's a beautiful view,
Falling intonation: not a real question
Statement Tags
Statement tags are used to add emphasis or reinforcement to an affirmative statement. Note that the tag should be affirmative too. Statement Tags are very informal.
He was a great teacher,
I'm tired of this,
Imperative Tags
Imperative tags soften the tone of the imperative sentence. The verb in the tag is most commonly 'will' but we can also use 'would', 'could', 'can', and 'won't'.
We use 'won't' for invitations. We use 'can, can't, will, would' for orders.
Close the door,
Wait here a moment,
Universal Tags
As mentioned earlier, tags are used in normal English. However, there is another way for question tags and that uses 'right', 'yes', 'yeah', and 'no' in very informal contexts instead of question tags. For example:
He's not playing tonight,
You're Carla's sister,
Answering Question Tags
Normally, we answer a question tag:
- with just 'Yes' or 'No'
- by repeating the tag and reversing it
- 'He doesn't work here, does he?' + 'Yes, he does.'
- 'They are your parents, aren't they?' + 'No, they're not.' Or 'No, they aren't.'
Review
A tag question is a question converted from a statement and is formed into an interrogative sentence. We mostly use tag questions to make a person agree with us. Remember there is always an auxiliary verb in tag sentences. There are four types of tags as follows:
- Question tags
- Statement tags
- Imperative tags
- Universal tags
| positive statement | negative tag |
|---|---|
|
The baby |
|
| negative statement | positive tag |
|---|---|
|
He |
|
| positive statement | positive tag |
|---|---|
|
They never |
|
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