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1. Match the Auxiliary Verb or Use “Do”
If there’s an auxiliary (helping) verb in the sentence (like am, is, are, was, were, have, has, will, can), it must be repeated in the tag. However, if the main verb lacks an auxiliary and is in the simple present or simple past tense, we use do, does, or did in the tag to match the tense.
Examples:
- She has left, hasn’t she?
- They are coming, aren’t they?
- You can swim, can’t you?
- He was at the meeting, wasn’t he?
- They don’t know the answer, do they?
2. Positive Statement → Negative Tag; Negative Statement → Positive Tag
Tag questions generally follow “opposite polarity,” meaning a positive statement takes a negative tag, and a negative statement takes a positive tag. This structure is commonly used to confirm information or seek agreement, balancing the expectation for either agreement or clarification.
Examples (Positive Statements with Negative Tags):
- You’ve seen that movie, haven’t you?
- They will join us, won’t they?
- He plays football, doesn’t he?
- You are the manager, aren’t you?
- The lights are on, aren’t they?
Examples (Negative Statements with Positive Tags):
- She hasn’t arrived yet, has she?
- They don’t live here, do they?
- He wasn’t there, was he?
- You didn’t finish your work, did you?
- The dog isn’t barking, is it?
3. Use Pronouns in the Tag
The subject in the tag should always be a pronoun that matches the main subject of the sentence. This is done for conciseness and to keep the tag question natural in spoken and written English.
Examples:
- The manager is coming, isn’t he?
- Your friends are meeting us here, aren’t they?
- The dogs are outside, aren’t they?
- This car needs fixing, doesn’t it?
- The teacher called you, didn’t she?
4. Special Cases with “I” and “Let’s”
The pronoun I has a unique form in tag questions, using aren’t I in positive sentences. For suggestions that start with “let’s,” the correct tag is shall we?
Examples for “I am” (use “aren’t I?”):
- I am your best friend, aren’t I?
- I’m the one in charge, aren’t I?
- I am right about this, aren’t I?
- I’m getting better at math, aren’t I?
- I’m supposed to be here, aren’t I?
Examples for “Let’s” (use “shall we?”):
- Let’s take a break, shall we?
- Let’s go to the park, shall we?
- Let’s start the meeting, shall we?
- Let’s keep it a secret, shall we?
- Let’s not argue about this, shall we?
5. Negative Words Imply a Positive Tag
- Explanation: Words that are inherently negative or limiting, like never, seldom, hardly, scarcely, rarely, or little, give the sentence a negative meaning. This means a positive tag is required to balance it. This is because the negative implication already creates the expectation for a confirmation.
- Examples:
- She never complains, does she?
- He hardly studies, does he?
- They rarely go out, do they?
- You scarcely eat sweets, do you?
- She has little to say, does she?
6. Intonation Variance for Confirmation vs. Inquiry
In spoken English, the intonation of a tag question can change its meaning. If the speaker expects agreement or confirmation, the voice falls at the end. However, if the speaker is uncertain and seeking information, the voice rises at the end of the tag.
Examples (Falling Intonation for Confirmation):
- You’re coming to the party, aren’t you?
- We did a good job, didn’t we?
- She’s excited, isn’t she?
- They finished early, didn’t they?
- He’s on our team, isn’t he?
Examples (Rising Intonation for Inquiry):
- You didn’t leave already, did you?
- He knows about the meeting, doesn’t he?
- You’ll help me with this, won’t you?
- They understand the rules, don’t they?
- She’s coming with us, isn’t she?
Commands and Requests
When a tag question is added to a command or request, it often softens the directive and is usually formed with will you? This tag indicates a polite request for cooperation or compliance.
Examples:
- Close the door, will you?
- Hand me the book, will you?
- Don’t make too much noise, will you?
- Help me with these bags, will you?
- Don’t forget to call me, will you?
Quiz
She hardly ever goes to parties,
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- A) doesn’t she?
- B) does she?
- C) isn’t she?
- D) didn’t she?
Answer: B) does she?
Explanation: Here, the tag should be “does she?” because “hardly ever” implies a negative sense, requiring a positive tag. Option A, “doesn’t she,” would be used if the statement were positive, like “She often goes to parties.” Option C, “isn’t she,” suggests a form of “to be” rather than “to do,” so it’s grammatically incompatible here. Option D, “didn’t she,” shifts the tense from present to past, which would only be appropriate if the main clause were in the past tense.
- You’d prefer to stay here,
- A) wouldn’t you?
- B) hadn’t you?
- C) don’t you?
- D) didn’t you?
Answer: A) wouldn’t you?
Explanation: The tag should be “wouldn’t you?” because “You’d prefer” is a conditional structure indicating preference with “would.” Option B, “hadn’t you,” misinterprets the “’d” contraction, mistaking it for “had” rather than “would.” Option C, “don’t you,” fails to match the conditional mood, as it would be used with a simple present statement like “You prefer to stay here.” Option D, “didn’t you,” incorrectly implies a past action.
- Let’s finish this work together,
- A) shall we?
- B) won’t we?
- C) will we?
- D) can we?
Answer: A) shall we?
Explanation: “Shall we?” is the correct choice because, with statements that start with “let’s,” the tag conventionally uses “shall we” as a suggestion. Option B, “won’t we,” doesn’t convey the collaborative invitation implied by “let’s.” Option C, “will we,” suggests uncertainty or doubt, which doesn’t suit the context of cooperation. Option D, “can we,” asks for permission rather than agreement.
- Everyone was warned about the deadline,
- A) wasn’t it?
- B) weren’t they?
- C) wasn’t they?
- D) didn’t they?
Answer: B) weren’t they?
Explanation: Since “everyone” is singular but implies a group, we use “they” in the tag, resulting in “weren’t they?” Option A, “wasn’t it,” incorrectly refers to a singular “it” rather than the implied plural. Option C, “wasn’t they,” is grammatically incorrect because “wasn’t” is singular while “they” is plural. Option D, “didn’t they,” changes the verb tense from “was” to “did,” disrupting the original sentence structure.
- Nothing is going to change his mind,
- A) is it?
- B) isn’t it?
- C) does it?
- D) will it?
Answer: A) is it?
Explanation: For statements starting with “nothing,” which are negative in meaning, we use a positive tag like “is it?” Option B, “isn’t it,” would be appropriate only for a positive statement. Option C, “does it,” shifts the verb from “is” to “does,” changing the intended meaning. Option D, “will it,” alters the tense, making it inappropriate.
- You should have called him earlier,
- A) hadn’t you?
- B) shouldn’t you?
- C) shouldn’t have you?
- D) should you?
Answer: B) shouldn’t you?
Explanation: The correct tag is “shouldn’t you?” because the main clause expresses an obligation with “should.” Option A, “hadn’t you,” confuses “should have” with “had.” Option C, “shouldn’t have you,” misplaces the negative, altering the structure. Option D, “should you,” would be appropriate if the main clause were negative.
- Somebody needs to lock the door,
- A) don’t they?
- B) doesn’t he?
- C) do they?
- D) need they?
Answer: A) don’t they?
Explanation: With indefinite pronouns like “somebody,” we use “they” in the tag. Here, “don’t they?” is correct, as the need is implied as a shared responsibility. Option B, “doesn’t he,” assumes “somebody” as singular and male, which is inappropriate. Option C, “do they,” doesn’t fit the positive nature of the clause. Option D, “need they,” incorrectly suggests a question of necessity rather than responsibility.
Certainly! Here are additional difficult tag questions with explanations for each incorrect option:
- He ought to have known about this,
- A) hasn’t he?
- B) oughtn’t he?
- C) shouldn’t he?
- D) didn’t he?
Answer: B) oughtn’t he?
Explanation: “Oughtn’t he?” is correct, as it mirrors the modal verb “ought to” in the main clause. Option A, “hasn’t he,” incorrectly uses “has” rather than “ought.” Option C, “shouldn’t he,” confuses “ought to” with “should,” which can imply similar meaning but is technically incorrect here. Option D, “didn’t he,” shifts the auxiliary verb from “ought” to “did,” changing the sentence’s meaning.
- I’m supposed to meet her tonight,
- A) amn’t I?
- B) aren’t I?
- C) isn’t it?
- D) don’t I?
Answer: B) aren’t I?
Explanation: The correct tag is “aren’t I?” which is a common exception in English for the first person. Option A, “amn’t I,” is not standard English. Option C, “isn’t it,” would only be correct if “it” were the subject. Option D, “don’t I,” incorrectly uses “do” rather than “am.”
- Let him join the team,
- A) will you?
- B) shall he?
- C) can’t he?
- D) could he?
Answer: A) will you?
Explanation: “Will you?” is the correct tag used in polite requests. Option B, “shall he,” suggests a question rather than a tag. Option C, “can’t he,” expresses possibility, not permission. Option D, “could he,” would imply doubt instead of agreement with the request.
- Few people know about this secret,
- A) don’t they?
- B) do they?
- C) isn’t it?
- D) won’t they?
Answer: B) do they?
Explanation: Since “few” has a negative implication, it requires a positive tag, “do they?” Option A, “don’t they,” is incorrect as it implies a positive statement. Option C, “isn’t it,” uses “it” rather than “they.” Option D, “won’t they,” changes the future implication and is inappropriate here.
- Nobody called for help,
- A) did they?
- B) didn’t they?
- C) do they?
- D) didn’t he?
Answer: A) did they?
Explanation: With negative words like “nobody,” we use a positive tag, “did they?” Option B, “didn’t they,” incorrectly applies a negative tag. Option C, “do they,” fails to match the past tense. Option D, “didn’t he,” wrongly assumes “he” as the pronoun instead of “they.”
- I’d rather go by myself,
- A) wouldn’t I?
- B) hadn’t I?
- C) would I?
- D) will I?
Answer: A) wouldn’t I?
Explanation: “Wouldn’t I?” is the correct tag for expressing preference with “I’d rather.” Option B, “hadn’t I,” mistakes “’d” for “had” instead of “would.” Option C, “would I,” makes the tag positive, which is incorrect for expressing preference. Option D, “will I,” introduces a future aspect that is irrelevant here.
- She must have been working late,
- A) isn’t she?
- B) must she?
- C) hasn’t she?
- D) hasn’t she?
Answer: D) hasn’t she?
Explanation: “Hasn’t she?” correctly mirrors the auxiliary in perfect structures.
Certainly! Here are more challenging tag questions with detailed explanations for each incorrect option.
- They had better hurry,
- A) hadn’t they?
- B) shouldn’t they?
- C) don’t they?
- D) won’t they?
Answer: A) hadn’t they?
Explanation: “Hadn’t they?” is the correct tag to use with “had better,” as it follows the implied advice or warning tone. Option B, “shouldn’t they,” could be tempting but doesn’t match the “had better” construction, which carries a different emphasis. Option C, “don’t they,” incorrectly shifts the verb to present tense, and option D, “won’t they,” changes the meaning to a future prediction.
- There’s hardly any food left,
- A) isn’t there?
- B) is there?
- C) does it?
- D) hasn’t it?
Answer: B) is there?
Explanation: “Is there?” is the correct response, as “hardly” gives a negative meaning requiring a positive tag. Option A, “isn’t there,” would only fit a positive statement. Option C, “does it,” doesn’t match the structure “there is.” Option D, “hasn’t it,” wrongly assumes the main verb is “has.”
- Few of them were aware of the changes,
- A) weren’t they?
- B) did they?
- C) were they?
- D) wasn’t it?
Answer: C) were they?
Explanation: “Few” has a negative implication, so it needs a positive tag: “were they?” Option A, “weren’t they,” mistakenly suggests a positive assumption. Option B, “did they,” shifts from “were” to “did,” changing the meaning. Option D, “wasn’t it,” incorrectly assumes a singular subject.
- I’d rather you didn’t go alone,
- A) would I?
- B) wouldn’t I?
- C) hadn’t I?
- D) did you?
Answer: A) would I?
Explanation: “Would I?” is correct for expressing a suggestion with “I’d rather.” Option B, “wouldn’t I,” incorrectly applies a negative tag when the sentence already implies a desire for caution. Option C, “hadn’t I,” assumes “’d” stands for “had” rather than “would.” Option D, “did you,” confuses the subject and doesn’t match the modal structure.
- They ought to have arrived by now,
- A) haven’t they?
- B) shouldn’t they?
- C) oughtn’t they?
- D) didn’t they?
Answer: C) oughtn’t they?
Explanation: The correct tag, “oughtn’t they,” directly corresponds to the modal “ought to” in the main clause. Option A, “haven’t they,” changes the modal verb to “have.” Option B, “shouldn’t they,” incorrectly substitutes “ought” with “should.” Option D, “didn’t they,” shifts both the verb and the tense.
- Everybody was shocked by the news,
- A) weren’t they?
- B) wasn’t they?
- C) was it?
- D) didn’t they?
Answer: A) weren’t they?
Explanation: “Weren’t they?” is correct, as “everybody” implies a plural meaning even though it’s a singular pronoun. Option B, “wasn’t they,” is grammatically incorrect since “wasn’t” doesn’t match with “they.” Option C, “was it,” would only fit if the subject were “news.” Option D, “didn’t they,” shifts the auxiliary verb, changing the sentence meaning.
- This type of fabric shrinks easily,
- A) isn’t it?
- B) does it?
- C) doesn’t it?
- D) isn’t there?
Answer: C) doesn’t it?
Explanation: “Doesn’t it?” matches the simple present verb “shrinks” in the main clause. Option A, “isn’t it,” doesn’t fit because “shrinks” is not a form of “to be.” Option B, “does it,” fails to mirror the affirmative form, as the statement is positive. Option D, “isn’t there,” is incorrect since the subject isn’t “there.”
- She’ll finish the project soon,
- A) won’t she?
- B) doesn’t she?
- C) will she?
- D) shall she?
Answer: A) won’t she?
Explanation: “Won’t she?” correctly tags a future intention with “will.” Option B, “doesn’t she,” would only work in present tense. Option C, “will she,” is a positive tag, which doesn’t match the affirmative statement. Option D, “shall she,” doesn’t match “will” in the main clause.
- No one is allowed to enter without permission,
- A) is it?
- B) are they?
- C) is there?
- D) is they?
Answer: B) are they?
Explanation: With “no one,” a negative expression, we use a positive tag, “are they?” Option A, “is it,” doesn’t agree with “no one,” as it implies a singular item. Option C, “is there,” mistakenly applies “there” instead of “they.” Option D, “is they,” is grammatically incorrect due to subject-verb agreement.
- She has little patience with rude people,
- A) hasn’t she?
- B) does she?
- C) isn’t she?
- D) is she?
Answer: D) is she?
Explanation: Since “little” gives a negative meaning, a positive tag is needed, so “is she?” is correct. Option A, “hasn’t she,” assumes the statement is about possession, which it isn’t. Option B, “does she,” would require the main clause to use “does.” Option C, “isn’t she,” fails because “is” would imply a different meaning about “being.”
- We’d better take an umbrella,
- A) shouldn’t we?
- B) won’t we?
- C) hadn’t we?
- D) don’t we?
Answer: C) hadn’t we?
Explanation: “Hadn’t we?” is the correct tag for “we’d better,” which implies advice. Option A, “shouldn’t we,” doesn’t mirror the “had better” construction. Option B, “won’t we,” implies a future action rather than advice. Option D, “don’t we,” doesn’t match the structure of “had better.”
- He used to play tennis a lot,
- A) didn’t he?
- B) used he?
- C) hadn’t he?
- D) did he?
Answer: A) didn’t he?
Explanation: “Didn’t he?” correctly tags “used to” statements. Option B, “used he,” is not a standard tag structure. Option C, “hadn’t he,” is incorrect as it changes the auxiliary verb. Option D, “did he,” doesn’t convey the correct tag form for a habitual action.
- You rarely come to visit anymore,
- A) do you?
- B) don’t you?
- C) haven’t you?
- D) won’t you?
Answer: A) do you?
Explanation: Since “rarely” implies a negative sense, we need a positive tag: “do you?” Option B, “don’t you,” suggests a positive meaning, which contradicts “rarely.” Option C, “haven’t you,” changes the tense, and Option D, “won’t you,” shifts to future tense, which doesn’t fit the statement.
- Everybody finished their work on time,
- A) haven’t they?
- B) didn’t they?
- C) isn’t it?
- D) did they?
Answer: B) didn’t they?
Explanation: “Didn’t they?” is correct for past simple tense and suits “everybody.” Option A, “haven’t they,” incorrectly uses the present perfect. Option C, “isn’t it,” doesn’t match “everybody,” as it implies singular. Option D, “did they,” provides a positive tag rather than the correct negative one.
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Question of
I suppose he has already left…
-
isn’t he?
-
has he?
-
hasn’t he?
-
hasn’t it?
Correct Wrong
The correct tag is "hasn't he?" since the main clause ("he has already left") is positive and in the present perfect tense. Option B, "isn’t he," would be used if the main clause were in the present continuous form ("he is leaving"). Option C, "has he," would be appropriate if the main clause were negative or implied doubt, such as "I don’t think he has left." Option D, "hasn’t it," uses the incorrect pronoun "it," which doesn’t match the subject "he."
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Question of
She hardly ever goes to parties…
-
doesn’t she?
-
does she?
-
isn’t she?
-
didn’t she?
Correct Wrong
Here, the tag should be "does she?" because "hardly ever" implies a negative sense, requiring a positive tag. Option A, "doesn't she," would be used if the statement were positive, like "She often goes to parties." Option C, "isn’t she," suggests a form of "to be" rather than "to do," so it’s grammatically incompatible here. Option D, "didn’t she," shifts the tense from present to past, which would only be appropriate if the main clause were in the past tense.
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