Question tags

You all know these little questions at the end of sentences, don't you? But do you also know when to use which? This blog entry will show the rules for the so-called "question tags".

For the simple present the auxiliary "do/does" is being used, for the simple past we use "did".

We usually say something we think is true, then add the question tag to get the other person to reaffirm it. This can be used as a rhetorical question, a real question or to ask someone for something.

There are some combinations where a special question tag is needed.

In real conversations it might be difficult to figure out whether someone just wants you to agree to something he just said or is asking you a real question. You can of course always ask, but there's an easier way to find out without making a fool of yourself.

If you want to ask a rhetorical question and just want the other person to agree with you, go down with your voice at the end of the question tag. Try saying the following sentences out loud and let your voice go down at the end. This way it doesn't sound like a real, open question and people will agree with you.

It's a beautiful night, isn't it? - Yes, it is.

These old computers are always so slow, aren't they? - Yes, they are.

It is cold in here, isn't it? - Yes, a bit.

If you want to ask a real question, let your voice go up at the end of the question tag. This way it sounds open, and people will try to answer it. Of course you can always form a question without a question tag, too, but with it the whole sentence sounds more idiomatic to native speakers.

You haven't seen Jim today, have you? - Yes, actually I have. / No sorry, I haven't.

You're not going out with that guy, are you? - Yes, I am going out with him. / No, why would I do that?

I'm too envious, aren't I? - Yes, sometimes you are. / No, you're definitely not.

Question tags can also be used to ask for information, things or help. If you don't want to ask "May I borrow a pencil, please?", you can use a negative sentence with a positive tag and let your voice go up at the end:

You haven't got a pencil (for me), have you? - Yes, here you are. / No, I'm sorry, I don't have one.

You don't want to help me painting the wall, do you? - If I have to. / Sorry, I don't have time. 

You don't happen to know the way to the train station, do you? - Indeed I do, you have to go... / No, sorry, I'm a tourist myself.

To avoid confusion and also to be polite, answer with a short sentence rather than just one word.

If there is a negative sentence with a positive question tag:

If there's a positive sentence with a negative question tag:

To underline your answer, you can always add information to it. This helps to have more fluent conversations and your answers sound more polite than a simple "Yes" or "No".

This restaurant is a bit expensive, isn't it? - Yes, it is, but the food is totally worth it.

You can sing, can't you? - Well, normally yes, but at the moment my voice is a bit husky.

He wouldn't mind doing the laundry, would he? - No, he wouldn't, he's such a nice guy.

This skirt is a bit short, isn't it? - Yeah, but it really suits you. And look, people are wearing even shorter ones.