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English speakers often add a short question to the end of a sentence when they want confirmation, agreement, or a quick response. That short ending is called a question tag or tag question. In sentences such as "You're ready, aren't you?" and "She works here, doesn't she?", the tag helps turn a plain statement into something more interactive. Below, you'll learn the main pattern, how to choose the right verb, and what to do with common exceptions.
Contents
Question Tags: The Basic Idea
A question tag is a small question placed after a statement. It normally uses an auxiliary verb, or a form of "be," followed by a pronoun. Speakers use question tags when they want to check something, invite agreement, or keep a conversation moving.
The meeting starts at nine, doesn't it?
You know Maria, don't you?
He can join us later, can't he?
The Positive and Negative Pattern
The main pattern is easy to remember: a positive statement usually takes a negative tag. A negative statement usually takes a positive tag.
| Statement | Tag |
|---|---|
| Negative statement | Positive tag |
| Positive statement | Negative tag |
You are staying for dinner, aren't you? (positive → negative)
Mark doesn't eat meat, does he? (negative → positive)
They have paid already, haven't they? (positive → negative)
She won't forget the address, will she? (negative → positive)
Using Tags with "Be"
If "be" is the main verb in the statement, repeat the correct form of "be" in the tag.
He is your brother, isn't he?
The tickets are expensive, aren't they?
The soup was too salty, wasn't it?
You were in London last week, weren't you?
I'm early, aren't I? (special case for "I am")
Special Case: With "I am," the usual tag is aren't I?, not "amn't I." For example: "I'm on the list, aren't I?"
Using Tags with Auxiliary Verbs
When the main statement already includes an auxiliary verb such as have, will, can, could, should, would, might, or must, use that same auxiliary in the tag.
Leo can fix the printer, can't he?
The guests have gone, haven't they?
She will call tonight, won't she?
You should check the file, shouldn't you?
We could meet after lunch, couldn't we?
He would enjoy that book, wouldn't he?
You must know the answer, mustn't you?
Using "Do," "Does," and "Did" in Tags
If the statement is in the present simple or past simple and has no auxiliary verb, use do/does/did in the question tag.
You read mystery novels, don't you?
Nina works downstairs, doesn't she?
The children went outside, didn't they?
He teaches history, doesn't he?
You found your keys, didn't you?
Tags After Negative Statements
After a negative statement, the tag is positive. Do not include "not" in the tag.
She isn't available, is she?
You don't need a receipt, do you?
The packages haven't arrived, have they?
He can't hear us, can he?
We shouldn't leave yet, should we?
Exceptions and Special Patterns
"I am" Becomes "aren't I?"
I'm on time, aren't I?
Tags After Commands and Suggestions
Pass me the salt, will you? / would you? / can you?
Don't be late, will you?
Let's start again, shall we?
Words That Make a Statement Negative
Words such as never, hardly, rarely, seldom, barely, no, nothing, and nobody give the statement a negative meaning, so the tag is positive.
He rarely misses practice, does he?
She barely spoke during lunch, did she?
There is nothing to worry about, is there?
Nobody answered the door, did they?
Tags with "There is" and "There are"
There is a shortcut, isn't there?
There are three copies left, aren't there?
Tags for Indefinite Pronoun Subjects
When the subject is everybody, everyone, somebody, someone, nobody, or no one, the tag usually uses they.
Everyone has a badge, haven't they?
Someone moved my chair, didn't they?
No one noticed the mistake, did they?
Using "it" After "This" and "That"
This looks fresh, doesn't it?
That was unexpected, wasn't it?
How Intonation Changes the Meaning
The way your voice moves on the tag affects what the sentence means:
Falling Voice (↘) for Expected Agreement
With falling intonation, the tag is closer to a request for agreement than a real question. The speaker already believes the statement is true.
The garden looks beautiful, doesn't it? ↘ (I expect you to agree)
You liked the concert, didn't you? ↘ (I think you did)
Rising Voice (↗) for a Real Question
With rising intonation, the speaker is actually asking because the answer is uncertain.
You have met Daniel before, haven't you? ↗ (I'm not sure)
She lives on this street, doesn't she? ↗ (I'm asking because I don't know)
Frequent Errors to Watch For
Error 1: Using the Same Polarity
❌ The room is clean, is it? (both positive — not the standard tag pattern)
✅ The room is clean, isn't it?
Error 2: Choosing the Wrong Auxiliary
❌ He plays chess, isn't he? → ✅ He plays chess, doesn't he?
Error 3: Repeating the Noun Instead of a Pronoun
❌ Sarah is waiting, isn't Sarah? → ✅ Sarah is waiting, isn't she?
Error 4: Using the Wrong Tag with "I am"
❌ I'm correct, amn't I? → ✅ I'm correct, aren't I?
Try It Yourself
Add the correct question tag.
1. She is a doctor, _______?
Answer: isn't she
2. You don't like spiders, _______?
Answer: do you
3. They have been to Paris, _______?
Answer: haven't they
4. He can't drive, _______?
Answer: can he
5. We should leave now, _______?
Answer: shouldn't we
6. She never arrives on time, _______?
Answer: does she
7. Let's go to the beach, _______?
Answer: shall we
8. I'm next, _______?
Answer: aren't I
Question tags help English sound natural and responsive. Once you know the positive-negative pattern, match the correct auxiliary, and pay attention to voice direction, you can use tags to confirm information, soften statements, and make everyday conversation feel more fluent.
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