Step-by-Step Question Tags Exercises with Answers
Question Tags: Basic Rules and Structure
A question tag is a short question at the end of a statement. It usually matches the tense and auxiliary verb of the statement but has the opposite polarity (positive/negative). Mastering question tags will help you avoid common mistakes and sound more natural when communicating in English.
| Statement | Type | Tag | Complete Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| She is here | Positive | isn’t she? | She is here, isn’t she? |
| They are not students | Negative | are they? | They are not students, are they? |
| We have finished | Positive | haven’t we? | We have finished, haven’t we? |
| You don’t eat meat | Negative | do you? | You don’t eat meat, do you? |
Question Tag Rules and Quick Reference
To use question tags correctly, follow these essential rules. These rules will help you answer school worksheets and exam questions quickly and accurately.
- If the statement is positive, use a negative question tag.
- If the statement is negative, use a positive question tag.
- Repeat the auxiliary verb or modal from the statement; use “do/does/did” if none is present.
- Always use a pronoun, not the noun, in the tag.
- Add a comma before the question tag.
Example: “She plays piano, doesn’t she?” (positive statement, negative tag)
Common Exceptions and Special Cases in Question Tags
Some statements follow different question tag rules. Pay close attention to these patterns for exam success and natural conversation.
| Type | Statement | Correct Tag | Full Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Imperative | Open the window | will you? | Open the window, will you? |
| Let’s | Let’s start | shall we? | Let’s start, shall we? |
| No auxiliary verb | He drinks tea | doesn’t he? | He drinks tea, doesn’t he? |
| Everyone/Someone | Everyone is ready | aren’t they? | Everyone is ready, aren’t they? |
Question Tag Practice Exercises
Test your skills with these question tag exercises. These cover positive and negative sentences, different tenses, and exceptions. Practice regularly to build confidence for school and competitive exams.
- She has arrived, ___?
- You aren’t tired, ___?
- They play cricket, ___?
- It wasn’t easy, ___?
- Let’s go for a walk, ___?
- He can’t swim, ___?
- You will help, ___?
- This is your book, ___?
- Nobody was missing, ___?
- You didn’t forget, ___?
For more exercises and answers, explore Vedantu’s detailed PDF worksheet for question tags with solutions.
Shortcuts and Tips for Quick Question Tags
Use these practical tricks to answer question tag questions fast in class and exams.
- Repeat the sentence’s auxiliary verb in the tag.
- Check the statement’s polarity; always reverse it in the tag.
- Use appropriate pronouns (he, she, it, they) in the tag.
- If the statement has no auxiliary, use form of “do”.
- Remember: “Let’s” uses “shall we?”, commands often use “will you?”.
With practice, these rules become automatic.
Summary of Question Tags
Question tags are short questions that check, confirm, or invite agreement. They follow fixed grammar patterns but have some special cases. Understanding these helps you succeed in English exams and confident spoken and written communication. Practise with Vedantu worksheets and real examples to master all types of question tags.
Detailed Question Tag Rules
Learn Tense Use for Tags
FAQs on Question Tags Exercises for Fast Learning
1. What is a question tag in English grammar?
A question tag is a short question added to the end of a statement to check understanding or seek confirmation. It consists of an auxiliary verb and a pronoun. For example: "It's raining, isn't it?"
2. What is the basic rule for forming question tags?
The basic rule is to use the same auxiliary verb from the main clause and reverse the polarity (positive to negative, or vice versa). The pronoun in the tag should agree with the subject of the main clause. For example: "He is tall, isn't he?" (positive statement, negative tag).
3. What are some common mistakes made with question tags?
Common mistakes include using the wrong auxiliary verb, incorrect pronoun agreement, or failing to change the polarity correctly. For instance: "They went to the park, didn't they?" is correct, but "They didn't go, didn't they?" is incorrect (should be "did they?").
4. How do I form question tags when the statement has no auxiliary verb?
If the statement doesn't have an auxiliary verb (e.g., "He plays the guitar"), use a form of "do" (does, did) to form the question tag. For example: "He plays the guitar, doesn't he?"
5. What are the rules for question tags with imperative sentences?
Imperative sentences (commands) usually don't take question tags. However, you can use "will you" or "won't you" to make a polite request or soften a command: "Close the door, will you?"
6. How are question tags used with sentences containing 'Let's'?
With "Let's," the question tag is "shall we?": "Let's go to the cinema, shall we?"
7. What are the rules for question tags with indefinite pronouns like 'everyone' and 'nobody'?
Indefinite pronouns like "everyone," "somebody," "nobody" usually take a plural question tag, even though they are grammatically singular: "Everyone is here, aren't they?"
8. How does intonation affect the meaning of a question tag?
Intonation (the rise and fall of your voice) changes the meaning. A rising intonation turns the tag into a genuine question, seeking information. A falling intonation implies the speaker already knows the answer and is seeking confirmation.
9. Can question tags be used in formal writing?
Question tags are generally avoided in formal writing. They are more suited to informal conversation and less formal writing styles.
10. Are there any regional variations in question tag usage?
Yes, minor variations exist between British and American English in terms of auxiliary verb choices and intonation. However, the core rules remain the same.
11. What is the purpose of using question tags in conversations?
Question tags serve several purposes in conversation: to confirm information, to seek agreement, to invite a response, to make a statement sound less forceful, or to add emphasis to a point. They help make conversations more interactive and engaging.
12. Give five examples of question tags in different tenses.
Here are five examples in different tenses:
- Present Simple: He walks to school, doesn't he?
- Present Continuous: She is singing, isn't she?
- Past Simple: They went to the beach, didn't they?
- Past Continuous: He was playing football, wasn't he?
- Future Simple: We will go to the party, won't we?
