Question Tags helps you communicate about checking information and inviting agreement. Start with the meaning, notice the pattern, and then use it in complete sentences.
By the end of this lesson, you can
- I can add question tags that match polarity, tense, auxiliary and subject.
- Recognise and build the form: positive statement + negative tag; negative statement + positive tag.
- Use the pattern accurately in a meaningful sentence.
Meaning and use
Use Question Tags for checking information and inviting agreement. Always read the whole situation before choosing the form: grammar expresses a meaning, not only a pattern.
You're from Hue, aren't you?
A positive statement with 'are' takes the negative tag 'aren't you'.
She doesn't drive, does she?
A negative present-simple statement takes a positive tag with 'does'.
They arrived early, didn't they?
A positive past-simple statement takes 'didn't + pronoun'.
positive statement + negative tag; negative statement + positive tagKeep this pattern visible while you study the examples. Then cover it and rebuild one example from memory.
Key rules to notice
These rules explain why the form is correct. Focus on the subject, auxiliary, verb form, word order and time or meaning clues.
- A positive statement with 'are' takes the negative tag 'aren't you'.
- A negative present-simple statement takes a positive tag with 'does'.
- A positive past-simple statement takes 'didn't + pronoun'.
- Repeat the modal 'can' in negative form in the tag.
- A negative present-perfect statement takes a positive 'have' tag.
Common mistakes
Not:You're from Hue, are you?
Use:You're from Hue, aren't you?
A positive statement with 'are' takes the negative tag 'aren't you'.
Not:She doesn't drive, doesn't she?
Use:She doesn't drive, does she?
A negative present-simple statement takes a positive tag with 'does'.
Not:They arrived early, did they?
Use:They arrived early, didn't they?
A positive past-simple statement takes 'didn't + pronoun'.
Check before you practise
Complete each sentence mentally, then reveal the answer.
He can swim, ____?
can't he
Repeat the modal 'can' in negative form in the tag.
We haven't met before, ____?
have we
A negative present-perfect statement takes a positive 'have' tag.
Let's take a break, ____?
shall we
The conventional tag after 'Let's' is 'shall we?'.