A tag question is a short question added to the end of a statement. We use it to confirm information or invite agreement. The tag is the opposite polarity of the main statement.
The Basic Rule
Positive statement → negative tag Negative statement → positive tag
You are coming, aren't you? She isn't ready, is she? They live nearby, don't they? He doesn't smoke, does he?
The tag uses the same auxiliary verb as the main clause. If there is no auxiliary, use do / does / did.
Tag Formation by Verb Type
| Statement | Auxiliary | Tag | Example | | --------------------------- | --------- | --------------------------------- | --------------------------------------- | | be (am/is/are/was/were) | be | aren't / isn't / wasn't / weren't | She is nice, isn't she? | | have (have/has/had) | have | haven't / hasn't / hadn't | You have finished, haven't you? | | Modal (can, will, must...) | modal | modal + n't | He can swim, can't he? | | No auxiliary (present) | — | don't / doesn't | They live here, don't they? | | No auxiliary (past) | — | didn't | She arrived late, didn't she? |
Special Cases
| Case | Rule | Example | | -------------------- | --------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------- | | I am | tag = aren't I? | I am on time, aren't I? | | Let's | tag = shall we? | Let's go, shall we? | | Imperative | tag = will you? / won't you? | Close the door, will you? | | This / That | tag = it | This is yours, isn't it? | | There is / are | tag = there | There are enough seats, aren't there? | | Nobody / Nothing | positive tag (negative statement) | Nobody came, did they? |
Intonation Changes Meaning
| Intonation | Meaning | Example | | ---------- | ----------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------- | | Falling ↗ | asking for agreement | Nice day, isn't it? | | Rising ↗ | expressing doubt / asking a real question | You did finish it, didn't you? |
Falling: "She is a doctor, isn't she?↘" (I am sure — just checking.) Rising: "She is a doctor, isn't she?↗" (I am not sure — tell me.)
Common Mistakes
- Forgetting to match the auxiliary: ~~You are coming, don't you?~~ → You are coming, aren't you?
- Using a negative tag with a negative statement (double tag): ~~You aren't tired, aren't you?~~ → You aren't tired, are you?
- Forgetting aren't I: ~~I am right, amn't I?~~ → I am right, aren't I?
- Using don't instead of doesn't with third person singular: ~~He likes it, don't he?~~ → He likes it, doesn't he?