Look at these examples to see how question tags are used.
You haven't seen this film, have you?
Your sister lives in Spain, doesn't she?
He can't drive, can he?
Try this exercise to test your grammar.
- Grammar test 1
Read the explanation to learn more.
Grammar explanation
We can add question tags like isn't it?, can you? or didn't they? to a statement to make it into a question. Question tags are more common in speaking than writing.
We often use question tags when we expect the listener to agree with our statement. In this case, when the statement is positive, we use a negative question tag.
She's a doctor, isn't she?
Yesterday was so much fun, wasn't it?
If the statement is negative, we use a positive question tag.
He isn't here, is he?
The trains are never on time, are they?
Nobody has called for me, have they?
If we are sure or almost sure that the listener will confirm that our statement is correct, we say the question tag with a falling intonation. If we are a bit less sure, we say the question tag with a rising intonation.
Formation
If there is an auxiliary verb in the statement, we use it to form the question tag.
I don't need to finish this today, do I?
James is working on that, isn't he?
Your parents have retired, haven't they?
The phone didn't ring, did it?
It was raining that day, wasn't it?
Your mum hadn't met him before, had she?
Sometimes there is no auxiliary verb already in the statement. For example, when:
... the verb in the statement is present simple or past simple and is positive. Here we use don't, doesn't or didn't:
Jenni eats cheese, doesn't she?
I said that already, didn't I?
... the verb in the statement is to be in the present simple or past simple. In this case we use to be to make the question tag:
The bus stop's over there, isn't it?
None of those customers were happy, were they?
... the verb in the statement is a modal verb. Here we use the modal verb to make the question tag:
They could hear me, couldn't they?
You won't tell anyone, will you?
If the main verb or auxiliary verb in the statement is am, the positive question tag is am I? but the negative question tag is usually aren't I?:
I'm never on time, am I?
I'm going to get an email with the details, aren't I?
Do this exercise to test your grammar again.
- Grammar test 2
Hi Noelski,
I'll try to help! If "have" is the main verb, use "do" in the question tag (e.g. You have a lovely house, don't you? She has a blue car, doesn't she?).
But if "have" is the auxiliary verb, use "have" in the question tag (e.g. You have been to France, haven't you? You've got a car, haven't you?).
Occasionally, you may see "have" used as a main verb but behaving like an auxiliary verb, e.g. Have you any money? (= Do you have any money?). In this usage, the question tag would also be with "have" (e.g. She has a blue car, hasn't she?). This usage, however, is uncommon and somewhat old-fashioned in style, but I thought I'd mention it in case you see it around.
I hope that helps.
Jonathan
LearnEnglish team
Please help me with this and explain it clearly!
'You are unhappy, _____?'
Should we use 'are you' or 'aren't you'?
In this case, the main verb is 'are' but the statement has a negative meaning because of the adjective 'unhappy'.
Hello Iamcecilia2612,
The adjective having a negative meaning does not change anything; the tag question is based on the verb form.
Both are you and aren't you are possible here. The negative (aren't you) is more common and is used when the speaker is sure about the answer and is asking for confirmation. The positive tag (are you) is less common and is used to show some surprise or even disbelief. It is generally used when a person learns a new fact and is saying in effect 'Oh really?'
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
1.You have read the book, haven't you?
2. You haven't read the book , have you?
What's the difference?
Hello MPhayTp,
In the first sentence the speaker is sure that the other person has read the book and is asking for confirmation.
In the second sentence the speaker is showing surprise that the other person might have read the book. It has a similar meaning to 'Surely you haven't read the book!' - surprise, shock and disbelief.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Greetings. Could you help me with this question tag: We have to leave here early,________(A. don't we, B, haven't we?)
Hello Long Khanh,
I'm afraid we don't provide answers to tasks from elsewhere as we would end up doing people's homework and tests for them! We're happy to provide explanations of rules, however.
In order to identify the tag question here you need to work out if 'have' is part of have to as a modal verb of obligation similar to must, or if have here is part of a present perfect form. If it's a modal verb, then the tag question requires 'don't'; if it is part of a present perfect form then it's 'haven't'. For example:
I think you should now be able to work out the answer.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Dear Peter,
Thank you for your prompt and clear reply.
Wish you and your team all the best.
Hi sir, sorry for my question that i wasn’t able to answer , i’m not familiar with answering.
my next question is , how can we tag this sentence?
No salt is allowed?
is it ? or is there?
Hello hanieh1315,
You are welcome to ask us specific questions related to what's on our pages.
'is it' is the correct option here. The main verb is 'is' and it has a negative meaning because of the word 'No'. The question tag should also be a form of the verb 'be' and 'is' is the correct form here.
All the best,
Kirk
LearnEnglish team