If you use Yes, do not use contracted forms. A positive statement is followed by a negative question tag. The basic structure of a tag question is: A negative statement is followed by a positive question tag. When the statement is negative, the question tag is positive. For positive sentences, we use the negative question tag. Question tags are used when asking for agreement or confirmation. Negative & Tag Questions. Note that we use a negative tag after an affirmative sentence. {See Question Tags, A2 level}. If have is a main verb in the sentence and refers to states, there are two possible sentences – We h… Is this a good school? Look at these examples with negative statements. Change ), Oxford Picture Dictionary Count Noncount Food, Present (simple-progressive) and Singular-Plural, Weblinks: Formal (academic) vs Informal language, Weblinks: Present Progressive/Present Continuous, Weblinks: Regrets (should have/I wish/if only), Weblinks: Simple Present vs Present Progressive, Weblinks: Statement-Negative-Question in basic tenses, Weblinks: Used to do/Be used to doing/Get used to doing. A question tag is a short question at the end of a sentence that we use to check information, ask for confirmation (negative tag) or agreement (positive tag). (will not = won’t). Except, of course, for the verb be in Present Simple and Past Simple. • to express surprise. He didn't recognize me, ? Some verbs / expressions have different question tags. The short questions we put at the end of sentences are called question tags. It may also be used to evoke a reply from the person you are speaking to. English grammar reference notes for question tags. Using the negative question says MY opinion.… Examples: He’s read this book, hasn’t he? Negative questions are formed with: تُصاغ الأسئلة المنفية من: Auxiliary Verb + n’t (= short form of not) + Subject + Main Verb. The Question:                                                                                              What do I think? الفعل المساعد+ الاختصار n't وهو اختصار لكلمة not + الفاعل + الفعل الرئيسي. 'You don't live here, do you?' You’re Spanish, aren’t you? They are normally used when speaking. Nobody has called for me, have they? If we are sure or almost sure that the listener will confirm that our statement is correct, we say the question tag with a falling intonation. You don’t smoke, do you? You live in Oakland, no? Possible answers are Yes or No. If the sentence is negative, the question tag … 1. You are John, ? You live in Spain, don’t you? In this lesson we’re going to look different ways we use them and you’ll also learn the best ways to answer them. Hasn’t the postman come yet? If the statement is negative, it is not usual to answer with yes. Negative StatementPositive TagYou aren't 12 years oldAre you? When there is no special emphasis, the rule of thumb often applies that a positive sentence has a negative tag and vice versa. ; Examples: A negative statement is followed by a positive question tag. When the verb in the main sentence is in the present simple we form the question tag with do / does. It’s a wonderful piece of music. I live just across the road.' I have a meeting every day, don't I/ do I not? Complete the sentences with the correct question tags. You can agree or refuse to a sentence with a question tag. Lesson by Tristan, English teacher at EC Malta English school I hear that the negative question-tag can be made out of the following construction: helping verb + subject + not? Negative sentence: He is n't from Germany, is he? To form the two-word tag questions, you must follow the rules below: The subject in the statement matches the subject in the tag. An affirmative comment has a negative tag and a negative comment has a positive tag. Cars pollute the environment, ? It can, for example, be used to ask for confirmation of something you believe to be true. If the statement is negative, we use a positive question tag. Negative and tag questions imply that you already know the answer. They are mainly used in speech when we want to: Question tags are formed with the auxiliary or modal verb from the statement and the appropriate subject. Do you smoke? He shouldn't say things like that, should he? If there is no auxiliary verb in the main sentence, we use do in the tag. Have got (possession) - He has got a car, hasn't he? ;o) Form. It is not just a real question. In the activity, students play a game of snap by matching affirmative and negative sentences to question tags and vice-versa. You don't smoke, do you? The auxiliary verb or verb to be in the statement matches the verb used in the tag. This short tag takes the form of a question. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. 1.1. A positive statement is followed by a negative question tag. This / that is - This is Paul's pen, isn't it? POSITIVE TAGS NEGATIVE TAGS ___I think yes________, Negative Tag Question:    You don’t smoke, do you? The statement 'You aren't going to Paris' uses the negative auxiliary 'aren't'. Is this good music? When we are sure of the answer and we are simply encouraging a response, the intonation in the question tag goes down: When we are not sure and want to check information, the intonation in the question tag goes up: If you would like to play an interactive game to practice Question Tags, visit here: Question Tags. Imperative clauses are used when people tell someone else to do something (an advice, a suggestion, a request, a command etc.).. You already have an opinion. We can also use question tags to imply an offer. Question:  Do you live in Oakland? Means I think it is bad and I hope you do not do it. Question tags always appear at the end of the sentence and refer to the verb used in the clause before as well as the subject (which is a noun or a personal pronoun in most cases) of the corresponding statement. Question tags, Positive and negative sentences in English - Exercise You’re not Spanish, are you? Imagine an important guest is visiting your office. — “Clean you room, won’t you?” = The positive imperative clause is followed by the negative question tag won’t you? ______________, 5. Questions tags are used to keep a conversation going. A negative statement is followed by a positive question tag. This is really a question. ).So we use positive question tags. A negative question can have two different kinds of meanings. Didn’t you see Ann yesterday? (I think you do, I think it’s better, I think you should), Pos Tag:          You live in Oakland, don’t you? But in a few cases, we also use POSITIVE STATEMENT + POSITIVE QUESTION TAG Then test your grammar skills in the interactive exercises. — “Do not disturb mrs. Smith, could you? They aren't funny, are they? Charles will help us, ? There are many different question tags but the main idea is fairly straight forward. When we reply to a statement we can put an affirmative or negative tag at the end of our comment. ; If the statement is positive, the tag is usually negative and vice versa. (I think you do, I already have an opinon). If the verb is in the past simple we use did. She is French, isn't she? Do we have too much homework? ______________, Negative Question:                                                                             ______________, Positive Tag Question:                                                                       ______________, Negative Tag Question:                                                                      ______________, 3. Jack is from Spain, isn't he? It is not just a real question. If your statement is a true question, your intonation rises. If have is used to indicate possession/belonging, we can use have or the helping verb do in British English (in American English we can only use do in this case). As I explained the general rule is that a negative question is followed by a positive tag, and vice versa. A question tag is a short question at the end of a sentence that we use to check information, ask for confirmation (negative tag) or agreement (positive tag). Affirmative sentence: He is from Germany, is n't he? 2. He isn't here, is he? Be careful about using negative or tag questions. The tag includes a pronoun and its matching form of the verb be, or auxiliary verb. 4.2. Question tags are formed with an auxiliary or modal verb. Theoretically this may make sense, but in practice this is NOT how negative questions work. The car isn't in the garage, ? Mary can speak English, can't she? Basically, the following rule applies: In positive sentences a negative question tag is needed and in negative ones a positive. We use the same auxiliary verb in the tag as in the main sentence. Mr McGuinness is from Ireland, ? When the statement contains a word with a negative meaning, the question tag needs to be positive. It’s important to know which auxiliary verb to use and whether the tag should be positive or negative. Question tags are the short questions that we put on the end of sentences – particularly in spoken English. Using the negative question says MY opinion. A negative question can also be used to ask for confirmation of a negative belief. I think it’s bad._____, 2. positive main clause → negative question tag; negative main clause → positive question tag A positive statement is followed by a negative question tag. Question tags are used in conversation to get a (positive) reaction from the person you are talking to. Basically, the following rule applies: In positive sentences a negative question tag is needed and in negative ones a positive. If the auxiliary verb in the sentence is negative, the tag is affirmative. You're David, aren't you? We make question tags in the simple present tense with do and does. ( Log Out /  The auxiliary verb or verb to be in the statement matches the verb used in the tag. Usually if the sentence is positive then the question tag is negative and if it is negative then the question tag … For positive sentences, we use the negative question tag. If we are a bit less sure, we say the question tag with a rising intonation. A question tag is a small question at the end of a statement. A tag question is a short question added to a statement. Do you have children? Learn the rules for question tags in English grammar with Lingolia. (= I believe that you saw Ann yesterday.) (No) I'm not, actually. ), Neg:                 Don’t you live in Oakland? Some adverbs have negative meanings (hardly, never, rarely, etc. → Yes, it is, isn’t it. {See Question Tags, A2 level}. Be careful about using negative or tag questions. Negative and tag questions imply that you already know the answer. If you found this English Grammar about Question Tags useful, let others know about it: A variety of English grammar notes and rules including charts and examples for beginner to advanced level students. ( Log Out /  The short questions we put at the end of sentences are called question tags. I'm Michael. For positive sentences, we use the negative question tag. Exercise on Question Tags. Negative question tags are usually contracted: It's warm today, isn't it (not 'is it not') Usually if the main clause is positive, the question tag is negative, and if the main clause is negative, it's positive. Some adverbs have negative meanings (hardly, never, rarely, etc. Question Tags - Negative Type the correct word in the boxes below. She went to the library yesterday, ? Negative questions can be very confusing in English. Question tags are formed with the auxiliary or modal verb from the statement and the appropriate subject. For example: Positive imperative - Stop daydreaming, will / won't you? This short tag takes the form of a question. Students work in groups of three. If the auxiliary verb in the sentence is affirmative, the tag is negative. (I think you DON’T, it’s bad to do this.). 'I do actually. A question tag is a short question at the end of a sentence that we use to check information, ask for confirmation or agreement. So that’s just a quick introduction to question tags. Usually if the sentence is positive then the question tag is negative and if it is negative then the question tag … Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. To make the question tag, you use the same auxiliary or modal verb in the statement and change it to a positive. ___ I think yes________, Positive Tag Question:  You smoke, don’t you? Here is a free question tags game for pre-intermediate students. You should see me today, shouldn't you/ should you not? 3.1. Negative questions generally ask for the same information as the positive form. 2. Mary has a little lamb, ? How is she doing? (I don’t know. Question tags are short questions at the end of statements. You already have an opinion. Positive StatementNegative TagYou… ( Log Out /  If there is a helping verb, we use this same verb in the question tag. ).So we use positive question tags. You don’t smoke, do you? Means I think it is bad and I hope you do not do it. Example: Remember that the question tag uses the auxiliary verb in the opposite form of the sentence itself. Let’s get very polite and start with the formal use. Neg Tag:          You don’t live in Oakland, do you? You live in Oakland, ma? auxiliary verb + subject 1. We use negative questions: نستخدم الأسئلة المنفية. We normally use question tags to check something you think you know or you think is true. If the statement is positive, the tag is usually negative and vice versa. The third student notes down the tag questions … We make question tags in the simple present tense with do and does. To form the two-word tag questions, you must follow the rules below: The subject in the statement matches the subject in the tag. There is no question of frequency of use; when the speaker wants to express an amount of certainty for the answer, a negative question will be used. Means I think it is bad and I hope you do not do it. ______________, Negative Question:                                                                             ______________, Positive Tag Question:                                                                       ______________, Negative Tag Question:                                                                      ______________. They are normally used when speaking. I am a great teacher, aren't I/ am I not? There is / are - There aren't any spiders in the bedroom, are there? Polite requests, offers, complaints etc. Forming question tags is very easy. Using the negative question says MY opinion. Let’s review the three forms of questions that we covered in today’s lesson. Note that we use a negative tag after an affirmative sentence. 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