Question tags are mini-questions that we put on the end of a sentence when speaking. With question tags, we use an auxiliary verb. We use do, does, and did for the present simple and past simple.

➡ James plays the piano, doesn’t he?

Yes, he does.

➡ You didn’t lock the car, did you?

No, I forgot.

Normally we use a negative question tag after a positive sentence. We often use a positive sentence and a negative question tag when we want the listener to agree with us.

➡ Bill will pass his course,           won’t he?

➡ The mall was very busy,          wasn’t it?

➡ Leslie should be home soon,   shouldn’t she?

➡ You are going to help me,        aren’t you?

We use a positive question tag after a negative sentence. We often use a negative sentence and a positive question tag to ask for things or information, or to ask somebody to do something.

➡ You won’t be late,                      will you?

➡ Ben doesn’t like me,                  does he?

➡ You haven’t got the keys,          have you?

➡ You couldn’t do me a favor,       could you?

➡ Notice the meaning of yes and no in answer to a negative sentence with a positive question tag:

- You’re not coming over tomorrow, are you?

Yes. = Yes, I am coming over.

No. = No, I am not coming over.

Below are some common rules for question tags:

After:

➡ Let’s, the question tag is shall we?

Ex: Let’s go for a walk, shall we?

➡ After the imperative phrase (do/don’t do something), the question tag is usually will you?

- Open the car, will you?

- Be on time, will you? 

➡ Notice that for the subject I, we say aren’t I?, meaning am I not.

I’m late, aren’t I?

Let’s practice!
Write in the comments section sentences using question tags.

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