Introduction

In real conversations, we often want to check information, invite agreement, or show a friendly attitude without asking a full question. Question tags help us do this naturally. They are short questions added at the end of a statement, and they allow the speaker to confirm what they believe is true, or to express surprise, doubt, or politeness.

Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives
By the end of this unit, you will be able to form question tags correctly, choose the right auxiliary verb and pronoun, use rising or falling intonation appropriately, and use question tags to confirm information or show attitude in everyday situations.

1) What a question tag is

A question tag is a mini-question added to the end of a sentence. It usually repeats the auxiliary verb (or uses do/does/did if there is no auxiliary) and uses a pronoun that refers to the subject.

Examples:

You’re from Spain, aren’t you?

She can drive, can’t she?

They work on Saturdays, don’t they?

Important concept
Most question tags follow this pattern: positive statement + negative tag, or negative statement + positive tag. The tag “mirrors” the verb and matches the subject with a pronoun.

2) Forming question tags: step by step

To form a question tag, follow these steps.

Step 1: Identify the main verb structure in the statement (auxiliary, modal, or main verb).

Step 2: Use the same auxiliary/modal in the tag. If there is no auxiliary, use do/does/did.

Step 3: Use a pronoun for the subject (I, you, he, she, it, we, they).

Step 4: Make the tag negative if the statement is positive, and positive if the statement is negative.

Examples with different verb types:

Be: He is tired, isn’t he?

Modal: You should call her, shouldn’t you?

Present simple (no auxiliary): Marta lives here, doesn’t she?

Past simple (no auxiliary): They left early, didn’t they?

Present perfect: You’ve seen this film, haven’t you?

Continuous: He’s working today, isn’t he?

3) Intonation and attitude

Question tags are not only grammar; they also communicate attitude. Intonation changes the meaning.

Falling intonation (more common when you expect agreement):

You’re coming tomorrow, aren’t you. (You believe the person is coming.)

Rising intonation (more like a real question, when you are not sure):

You’re coming tomorrow, aren’t you? (You are checking because you are uncertain.)

In polite conversation, falling intonation can sound friendly and confident, while rising intonation can sound more cautious or surprised.

4) Common special cases (B1 focus)

A) “I am”

With I am, the usual tag is aren’t I (not “am I not” in everyday English).

I’m late, aren’t I?

B) Imperatives

With imperatives, we often use will you (requests) or won’t you (friendly invitation).

Close the door, will you?

Come in, won’t you?

C) Let’s

With Let’s, the tag is usually shall we.

Let’s start, shall we?

D) Negative words and meaning

If the statement is negative in meaning, the tag is usually positive.

You didn’t call me, did you?

She never listens, does she?

Warning
Do not confuse the verb in the statement with the verb in the tag. The tag must use the correct auxiliary or modal: “She went home, didn’t she?” (not “wentn’t she”). If there is no auxiliary in the statement, use do/does/did.

5) When to use question tags

Question tags are especially useful in these situations:

To confirm information: You’ve met our teacher, haven’t you?

To show you expect agreement: It’s a good idea, isn’t it?

To soften a comment: That was a bit stressful, wasn’t it?

To check details politely: We’re meeting at six, aren’t we?

Practice

Practice section
Add the correct question tag. Then check the answer in the table.