Basic Rules of Question Tags in English

Hello Scholar,

Welcome to the simplest lesson on the rules of Question Tags in English with examples, explanation and questions for you to practice.

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

• Correctly answer questions on question tags in English.
• Identify question tags in sentences.
• Create and use the appropriate question tag for any statement.

What are question tags?

Question tags are those short questions attached to the end of statements.

FOR EXAMPLE:

• Musa and Chuks are best friends, aren’t they?

The statement is “Musa and Chuks are best friends” while the short question “aren’t they?” is the tag.

Question tags are always made up of a verb and a pronoun.

Let’s see the rules.

Rules of Question Tags in English

I’ve grouped the rules into 3 parts for better understanding.

The 1st part gives you the rules to follow when there is an auxiliary verb in the statement.

The 2nd part contain rules for when there are NO auxiliary verbs while the 3rd part explains how to respond to question tags in a written test.

Shall we begin?

1st PART – When there is an auxiliary verb

Auxiliary verbs are helping verbs.

They include: is, are, will, must, should, would, can, could, do, did, does, etc.

When there is an auxiliary verb in the statement, create your tag with that auxiliary verb and using the “positive – negative” rule.

RULE #1: Positive – Negative

When the auxiliary verb is POSITIVE,

• Felix (is) brilliant, _____ he?

…the tag will be NEGATIVE.

• Felix is brilliant, (isn’t) he?

RULE #2: Negative – Positive

When the auxiliary verb is NEGATIVE,

• Felix (is not) brilliant, _____ he?

…the tag will be POSITIVE.

• Felix is not brilliant, (is) he?

2nd PART – When there is NO auxiliary verb

When there is NO auxiliary verb in the statement, consider the main verb.

And since a verb is a “DO-ing” word, create your tag with the different forms of “DO” using the rules below.

RULE #3: use “DO” when the verb is plural.

For example.

• They (write) beautifully, _____ they?

The verb “WRITE” is in its plural form because the subject “THEY” is plural

So, create your tag with “DO” while still obeying the positive–negative rule.

• They write beautifully, (don’t) they?

RULE #4: use “DOES” when the verb is singular.

For example.

• She (writes) beautifully, _____ she?

The verb “WRITES” is in its singular form because the subject “SHE” is singular.

So, create your tag with “DOES” while still obeying the positive–negative rule.

• She writes beautifully, (doesn’t) she?

RULE #5: regardless of the subject(s), use “DID” when the verb is in past tense.

Whether the subject is singular or plural, as long as the verb is in past tense…use DID.

For example.

• They (wrote) beautifully, _____ they?
• She (slept) peacefully, _____ she?

“THEY” is plural while “SHE” is singular but your tag will still be created with “DID” for both of them because their verbs “WROTE” and “SLEPT” are in past tenses.

• They wrote beautifully, (didn’t) they?
• She slept peacefully, (didn’t) she?

3rd PART – Choosing a response

When you are asked to respond to a question tag in a written test or exam, use the positive – negative – positive rule.

RULE #6: Positive – Negative – Positive

• They write beautifully. (POSITIVE)
• Don’t they? (NEGATIVE tag)
• Yes, they do. (POSITIVE response)

RULE #7: Negative – Positive – Negative

• Felix is not brilliant. (NEGATIVE)
• Is he? (POSITIVE tag)
• No, he isn’t. (NEGATIVE response)

Do you have any question(s) on question tags in English or would like to SHARE YOUR SCORE from the practice questions? Comment below and I’ll reply you ASAP.