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 ojobaba1,
It should be "don't they?" (present simple), because the verb in the main sentence ("think") is also in the present simple.
If the verb is in the past, the tag should be too --> Many thought Joshua was a village boy, didn't they?
I hope that helps.
Jonathan
LearnEnglish team
I am a good friend. Am I not?
Is the tag in above sentence correct?
Hi Angel y,
Yes, it is. It's also possible to say I am a good friend, aren't I? The version with "Am I not?" sounds a bit more expectant of a positive reply ("Yes, you are!").
Jonathan
LearnEnglish team
Good morning,
Could you tell me if both these tags are correct?
Take care of yourself, will you?
Take care of yourself, won't you?
Thanks
Hello martabentes2006,
It's a little unusual to use question tags with imperatives, but when they are used, the tag is normally 'will you'. Some others, such as 'would you', 'can you'/'can't you' and 'won't you' are also possible. So, yes, both of those sentences are possible.
To be honest, I'm not sure I'd ever say either of those. I'd probably use a more 'universal' question tag such as 'OK'. But I'm sure there are plenty of people who would use them, especially 'will you'.
All the best,
Kirk
LearnEnglish team
Hello.. May I know what's the tag questions here.
Someone's at the door,
Is it.. are they or aren't they ?
Hello batool89,
The correct tag here is ...aren't they?
Indefinite pronouns use 'they' in tags:
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Hello I have a question regarding
Have has had in the statement.. and what there question tags would be.
Ex. They had to prove evidence to court, didn't they or hadn't they
They have a puppy, haven't they or don't they
Sarah hasn't called yet, did she or has she.
Are both answers right but have something to do with America English using the do and the British English using the have more commanly
Hello batool89,
'have' is used in quite different ways in these three sentences. In the first, it is almost like a modal verb: 'have to' indicates necessity. It's in the past simple and so the correct tag is 'didn't they'.
In the second, it's simple possession. Both tags are correct. The second one is more common and the first isn't used in American English at all.
In the third, it's an auxiliary verb for the present perfect and the correct tag is 'has she'.
All the best,
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team
Hi!
Which of the following are correct constructions?
a) You look tired, aren't you?
b) You look tired, don't you?
c) You seem to be cheated, aren't you?