Mr.Maru: That movie wasn't very good, was it?

Sparky: Yeah, but Thomas Hanks can act, doesn't he?

Mr.Maru: Um, yes, he can act well.

Sparky: You didn't bring any snacks, didn't you?

Mr.Maru: No, I didn't. You aren't hungry again, are you?

Sparky: No, I am.

Mr.Maru: Um, are you hungry or not hungry?

Sparky: Hungry! Let's go to Happy Burger.

Mr.Maru: All right, all right. I wish you couldn't talk.

How do you use tag questions? A reader wrote me yesterday and asked “How do I use tag questions?”, so today we are going to go over tag questions and their many uses. Let's start!

What are Tag Questions?

Tag questions are small questions at the end of statements. They can be used to express an opinion, check information, or even make a request. For example,

It's a beautiful day today, isn't it?
You aren't going to the party this weekend, are you?

How to Form Tag Questions

You form tag questions by placing a negative question at the end of a positive statement. Placing a negative question at the end of positive statement means you are pretty sure (80%) or a little sure (50%) of the positive statement. You can also place a positive question at the end of a negative statement. Again, this means you are pretty sure (80%) or a little sure (50%) of the negative statement. Let's look at some examples:

This book was written by Ernest Hemingway, wasn't it? (A positive sentence with a negative question. You are 50%~80% sure the book was written by Ernest Hemingway.)
This book wasn't written by Ernest Hemingway, was it? (A negative sentence with a positive question. You are 50%~80% sure the book was NOT written by Ernest Heminway.)

How to Say Tag Questions

The difference of how sure you are (50%~80%) can be shown by your intonation. If you are pretty sure, the intonation goes down. If you are a little sure, the intonation goes up. For example,

You are from America, (down) aren't you? (up) – (You are a little sure.)
You are from America, (up) aren't you? (down) – (You are pretty sure.)

Tag Questions with Auxiliary Verbs

If you use an auxiliary verb (can, do, be, would, should, etc...), the tag question must use the auxiliary verb too. For example,

You can speak English, can't you?
You wouldn't hurt a girl, would you?

All other verbs, you must use do.

You hate spiders, don't you?

Do you think you understand? Let's check with a short quiz.

1) You don't like to go fishing, _______

A) do you?
B) don't you?
C) can you?

2) Jenny wouldn't steal from the company, _________

A) does she?
B) wouldn't she?
C) would she?

3) You are a fan of the Tigers, ______

A) don't you?

B) aren't you?
C) are you?

Answers

1) – A) We must use a positive tag question with a negative statement.

2) – C) If you use an auxiliary verb (would), you must use it in the tag question.

3) – B) If you use 'be', you must use it in the tag question.

That's it for this week. Thanks for stopping by. If you have any grammar questions, please let me know by sending me an email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Thanks!