Tag questions, a common feature of English grammar, are short questions attached to statements to seek confirmation, agreement, or disagreement. They consist of a pronoun, an auxiliary verb, and a negation, if required.
Let’s explore into the structure and usage of tag questions based on the provided examples:
The Structure
The structure of tag questions typically follows this pattern:
- If the main clause is positive, the tag question is negative, and vice versa.
- For positive main clauses, the auxiliary verb is negated in the tag, and for negative main clauses, the auxiliary verb is affirmed in the tag.
| 1. | It is cold, isn’t it | Yes, it is. |
| 2. | She isn’t here, is she? | No, she isn’t. |
| 3. | He is happy, isn’t he? | Yes, he is. |
| 4. | She wasn’t talking, was she? | No, she wasn’t. |
| 5. | They weren’t working, were they? | No, they weren’t. |
| 6. | It was hot yesterday, wasn’t it? | Yes, it was. |
| 7. | The boys were swimming well, weren’t they? | Yes, they were. |
| 8. | John will help us, won’t he? | Yes, he will. |
| 9. | You won’t forget, will you? | No, I won’t. |
| 10. | She can sign well, can’t she? | Yes, she can. |
| 11. | They can’t find it, can they? | No, they can’t. |
| 12. | Ann has finished, hasn’t she? | Yes, she has. |
| 13. | John hasn’t bought his books, has he? | No, he hasn’t. |
| 14. | They haven’t finished, have they? | No, they haven’t. |
| 15. | The men have gone home, haven’t they? | Yes, they have. |
| 16. | We have finished, haven’t we? | Yes, we have. |
Now, let’s explore the examples provided:
1. It is cold, isn’t it?
– Main clause: Positive
– Tag question: Negative
2. She isn’t here, is she?
– Main clause: Negative
– Tag question: Positive
3. He is happy, isn’t he?
– Main clause: Positive
– Tag question: Negative
4. She wasn’t talking, was she?
– Main clause: Negative
– Tag question: Positive
5. They weren’t working, were they?
– Main clause: Negative
– Tag question: Positive
6. It was hot yesterday, wasn’t it?
– Main clause: Positive
– Tag question: Negative
7. The boys were swimming well, weren’t they?
– Main clause: Positive
– Tag question: Negative
8. John will help us, won’t he?
– Main clause: Positive
– Tag question: Negative
9. You won’t forget, will you?
– Main clause: Negative
– Tag question: Positive
10. She can sign well, can’t she?
– Main clause: Positive
– Tag question: Negative
11. They can’t find it, can they?
– Main clause: Negative
– Tag question: Positive
12. Ann has finished, hasn’t she?
– Main clause: Positive
– Tag question: Negative
13. John hasn’t bought his books, has he?
– Main clause: Negative
– Tag question: Positive
14. They haven’t finished, have they?
– Main clause: Negative
– Tag question: Positive
15. The men have gone home, haven’t they?
– Main clause: Positive
– Tag question: Negative
16. We have finished, haven’t we?
– Main clause: Positive
– Tag question: Negative
Usage
Tag questions serve various functions:
- Confirmation: Seeking agreement or confirmation from the listener.
- Emphasis: Adding emphasis to a statement or indicating surprise.
- Engagement: Encouraging a response or engaging the listener in a conversation.
Mastering tag questions is vital for effective communication in English. Understanding their structure and usage will enhance your ability to use them accurately and appropriately in different contexts. Happy learning!
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