Step-by-Step Guide to Using Question Tags Correctly
Understanding question tags is essential for clear communication in English. They help check information, encourage responses, and are important for school, board exams, and everyday conversations. At Vedantu, we make question tags easy, practical, and exam-ready, helping young learners and test-takers master both spoken and written English.
| Statement | Type | Question Tag Example |
|---|---|---|
| She is coming | Positive statement | She is coming, isn’t she? |
| You don’t like tea | Negative statement | You don’t like tea, do you? |
| Let’s begin | Imperative | Let’s begin, shall we? |
| Open the door | Command | Open the door, will you? |
| I am late | Exception | I am late, aren’t I? |
| They have finished | Present perfect | They have finished, haven’t they? |
What Are Question Tags?
Question tags are short questions added at the end of statements to seek confirmation or agreement. In English grammar, they use an auxiliary verb and a matching pronoun. Example: “It’s easy, isn’t it?” They are common in exams, classroom speaking, and daily English.
Rules for Question Tags
- If the statement is positive, use a negative question tag.
- If it is negative, use a positive tag.
- The auxiliary verb in the tag must match the tense of the main verb.
- The pronoun in the tag must match the statement’s subject.
- For imperatives, use “will you?” or “won’t you?” depending on tone.
- For “let’s”, always use “shall we?”.
- With “I am”, use “aren’t I?”
- Sentences with “nobody”, “nothing”, or “none” take a positive tag.
Common Question Tag Examples
| Statement | Question Tag |
|---|---|
| She likes music | doesn’t she? |
| You aren’t tired | are you? |
| They will come | won’t they? |
| He didn’t win | did he? |
| Let’s have lunch | shall we? |
| You can swim | can’t you? |
| The cat is sleeping | isn’t it? |
| You have finished | haven’t you? |
| I am early | aren’t I? |
| Close the window | will you? |
Special Cases and Exceptions in Question Tags
- Use “shall we?” for statements starting with “let’s” (Example: “Let’s go, shall we?”).
- Imperatives use “will you?” (“Stop talking, will you?”) or “won’t you?” for polite requests.
- With “I am”, the tag is “aren’t I?” (“I am right, aren’t I?”).
- Pronouns like "nobody" or "nothing" are seen as negative, so use a positive tag (“Nobody called, did they?”).
- Beware of using informal tags in exams (avoid “ain’t” in formal writing).
Practice Exercises on Question Tags
- You are happy, _____________?
- He didn’t call, _____________?
- Let’s play a game, _____________?
- She doesn’t eat eggs, _____________?
- Open the door, _____________?
- I am late, _____________?
You can check your answers below or download more worksheets for extra practice.
Summary: Question Tags in English
Question tags are short questions added to statements in English grammar. They help confirm information, seek agreement, and test understanding. At Vedantu, our resources on question tags include rules, examples, and exercises so you’re confident for exams and real-life conversations.
- Auxiliary Verbs - Learn more about auxiliary verbs for perfect question tags.
- Imperative Sentences - Understand how to form tags for commands and requests.
FAQs on Question Tags Explained for Students
1. What is a question tag and give an example?
A question tag is a short question added to the end of a statement to check information or seek agreement. For example: "It's raining, isn't it?"
2. What are the rules for forming question tags?
The main rules are:
- Use the auxiliary verb (helping verb) from the statement.
- Reverse the polarity (positive statement gets a negative tag, and vice versa).
- Maintain subject-pronoun agreement (the pronoun in the tag matches the statement's subject).
- Use contractions where possible (e.g., isn't, aren't, can't).
- Exceptions exist for imperatives, "let's," and "I am."
3. What is the question tag for "Let's go"?
The question tag for "Let's go" is "shall we?" Example: "Let's go, shall we?"
4. How do you form question tags for negative statements?
For negative statements, use a positive question tag. Example: "They didn't go, did they?"
5. Can question tags be used with imperatives?
Yes, often using "will you?" or "won't you?" depending on the intended tone. Example: "Close the door, will you?"
6. What is the question tag for "I am"?
The question tag for "I am" is "aren't I?" This is an exception to the general rule. Example: "I am tired, aren't I?"
7. What are some common mistakes with question tags?
Common mistakes include incorrect polarity, subject-pronoun mismatch, and forgetting exceptions for "I am" and imperatives.
8. How do question tags differ in British and American English?
While the core rules are the same, minor variations exist. For example, "shall we?" is more common in British English.
9. How is punctuation used in sentences with question tags?
A comma separates the statement from the question tag. A question mark goes at the very end. Example: "She's leaving, isn't she?"
10. What are question tags used for in conversations?
Question tags are primarily used to confirm information, seek agreement, or soften a statement. They make conversations more natural and engaging.
11. Can you give more examples of question tags in different tenses?
Here are some examples:
- Present Simple: He plays cricket, doesn't he?
- Past Simple: They went to the park, didn't they?
- Present Perfect: She has finished her work, hasn't she?
- Past Perfect: He had eaten dinner, hadn't he?
- Future Simple: We will go to the movies, won't we?
12. What are some resources to practice question tags?
Vedantu offers various exercises and worksheets on question tags to help you improve your understanding and skills. Look for practice exercises related to English grammar.
