How do I use question tags in English?

What Are Question Tags?

Question tags are short questions added to the end of a statement. They are commonly used in spoken English to confirm information, check understanding, or prompt a reply. For example:

• It’s raining, isn’t it?
• You like chocolate, don’t you?
• She can speak Spanish, can’t she?

Basic Structure of Question Tags

Question tags usually follow this structure:

• Positive statement + negative question tag: You are coming, aren’t you?
• Negative statement + positive question tag: She isn’t here, is she?

The verb in the question tag matches the verb in the main sentence. If the main sentence uses an auxiliary verb (like is, have, can, will), use the same auxiliary in the tag. If there is no auxiliary verb, use do/does/did.

How to Form Question Tags

With Auxiliary Verbs

• She is a doctor, isn’t she?
• You have finished, haven’t you?
• He can swim, can’t he?

With Simple Present and Past (No Auxiliary)

• You play tennis, don’t you?
• They like pizza, don’t they?
• She went to the party, didn’t she?

With Negative Statements

• He isn’t late, is he?
• They haven’t seen it, have they?
• You don’t like coffee, do you?

Special Cases and Tips

Imperatives

When using commands or requests, the question tag is usually will you or would you:

• Open the window, will you?
• Don’t be late, will you?

Let’s

For suggestions with “let’s,” the tag is shall we:

• Let’s go for a walk, shall we?

Using “I am”

If the sentence starts with “I am,” the tag is usually aren’t I:

• I’m on time, aren’t I?

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Don’t mix positive and negative forms incorrectly. For example, don’t say “You are coming, are you?” (unless you are showing surprise).
• Make sure the subject pronoun in the tag matches the subject in the main sentence.
• Don’t forget to use the correct auxiliary verb in the tag.

Why Should English Learners Practice Question Tags?

Using question tags helps you sound more natural and polite in English conversations. They show that you are engaged and encourage your conversation partner to respond. Practicing question tags with interactive tools, like the Talkpal AI language learning platform, helps you use them correctly and confidently in real-life situations.

Practical Exercises

• Turn these statements into sentences with question tags:
  a) You’re from Brazil.
  b) She doesn’t eat meat.
  c) We can start now.
  d) He went to school.
  e) Let’s have some coffee.
• Try listening to native speakers and note how they use question tags in conversation.
• Practice making and answering question tags with a language partner or AI tutor.

Conclusion

Question tags may seem tricky at first, but with regular practice, they become a natural part of your English conversations. Remember the basic rules, watch out for special cases, and listen to how native speakers use them. For more interactive practice, Talkpal’s AI tutors can guide you through real-life scenarios, helping you use question tags like a native speaker. Happy learning!