How To Use Question Tag Without Auxiliary Verb (+VIDEO)

Do you want to learn how to correctly create or use question tag without auxiliary verb?

At the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

• Define auxiliary verb with examples.
• Review the rules of question tag with auxiliary verbs.
• Use the correct question tag for statements without auxiliary verbs.

If you prefer to WATCH this lesson instead, click on the VIDEO below.

(VIDEO)

What is an auxiliary verb?

Auxiliary means “helping”.

So.

Auxiliary verbs are “helping verbs”.

They help the main verbs in most sentences to make complete sense.

Examples of auxiliary verbs

• am, is, are
• being, been
• will, would
• may, might
• has, have, had
• does, do, did
• can, could
• shall, should
• Etc.

Golden rules of question tags

The 1st.

“When the statement is positive, the tag must be negative.”

The 2nd.

“When the statement is negative, the tag must be positive”.

The 3rd.

“Replace the noun in the subject of the statement with the appropriate pronoun in the tag”.

• SEE FULL LESSON ON GOLDEN RULES OF QUESTION TAG

Revision on creating question tag with auxiliary verb

This refers to how to craft your question tag when there is an auxiliary verb in the statement.

• Step #1: Find the auxiliary verb.
• Step #2: Identify its form.
• Step #3: Change its form.

Now.

See how to create question tag without auxiliary verb

Examples.

• John overreacts when angry, ____?
• You work from home, ______?
• They came late, _______?

Notice that there are NO auxiliary verbs in the above statements.

So how then do we create the question tag?

Let’s see how…

1. Find the verb

Example (1)

• John overreacts when angry, ____?
  • Verb = “overreacts”.

Example(2)

• You work from home, ______?
  • Verb = “work”

Example (3)

• They came late, _______?
  • Verb = “came”

2. Identify its form

Next is to identify whether the verbs are in their singular, plural or past form.

Please note.

• Singular verbs (…end with “s”)
• Plural verbs (…end without “s”)

Example (1)

• John overreacts when angry, ____?
  • Verb = “overreacts” – (SINGULAR)

Example (2)

• You work from home, ______?
  • Verb = “work” – (PLURAL)

Example (3)

• They came late, _______?
  • Verb = “came” – (PAST TENSE)

3. Use the appropriate “do” verb

What are the “do” verbs?

• Does
• Do
• Did

When are they appropriate?

• “Does” – use when the verb is singular.
• “Do” – use when the verb is plural.
• “Did” – use when the verb is in its past tense form.

Also remember.

The golden rule says that once the statement is positive, the tag must be negative…and vice versa.

Example (1)

• John overreacts when angry, ____?
  • Verb = “overreacts” – (SINGULAR).

So.

Create the tag with “DOES”.

John overreacts when angry, DOESN’T HE?

Example (2)

• You work from home, ______?
  • Verb = “work” – (PLURAL)

So.

Create the tag with “DO”.

You work from home, DON’T YOU?

Example (3)

• They came late, _______?
  • Verb = “came” – (PAST TENSE)

So.

Create the tag with “DID”.

They came late, DIDN’T THEY?

Summary

Use the correct question tag without auxiliary verb by following these steps explained.

• Step #1: Find the verb.
• Step #2: Identify its form.
• Step #3: Use the appropriate “do” verb.

Practice questions on question tag without auxiliary verb

Fill in the blanks with the correct question tag.

• She loves her husband, _______?

• She loved her husband, ______?

Submit your answers in the comment section below and get a feedback from me whether your answers are correct or not.

Also scroll down to see other lessons on questions tags in English language.