Question tags
Definition
A question tag is a short question added to the end of a statement. A positive statement normally takes a negative tag, while a negative statement normally takes a positive tag.
Examples
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You live nearby, don't you?
The positive present-simple statement takes a negative tag with do.
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Mina isn't working today, is she?
The negative statement takes a positive tag with the matching auxiliary.
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They have finished, haven't they?
The tag repeats the auxiliary have and replaces the subject with they.
Question tag vs. ordinary yes/no question
Did Omar call?
The speaker directly asks whether the event happened.
Omar called, didn't he?
The speaker presents the event as expected and asks for confirmation.
A yes/no question requests the information directly. A question tag follows a statement and commonly checks, confirms or invites agreement.
Some forms need special handling
The tag for I am is normally aren't I? Negative-meaning words such as never, nobody and hardly make the statement negative in meaning, so they take a positive tag.
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I'm next on the list, aren't I?
Aren't I? is the standard tag after I am.
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She never complains, does she?
Never gives the statement negative meaning, so the tag is positive.
Common mistakes
She can swim, doesn't she?
She can swim, can't she?
Repeat the statement's auxiliary or modal in the tag.
They didn't leave, didn't they?
They didn't leave, did they?
A negative statement normally takes a positive tag.
Quick check
Question 1 of 3
Which tag correctly completes Leo works here, ...?
A positive present-simple statement with Leo takes doesn't he?Which tag correctly completes They haven't arrived, ...?
The statement is negative and uses have, so the positive tag is have they?Which sentence uses the special tag after I am correctly?
The standard tag after I am is aren't I?Nice work — you've completed the quick check.
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