Question Tags in English Grammar – 5 Rules, Examples & Exercises

Introduction to Question Tags

A Question Tag is a short question added at the end of a sentence, usually to confirm information or seek agreement. They are common in spoken English.

Example:

• You’re coming to the party, aren’t you?
• It’s raining, isn’t it?

Why Are Question Tags Important?

• They make conversations more interactive.
• They help confirm facts or seek agreement.
• They reflect politeness or curiosity in communication.

Basic Rules of Question Tags

Rule 1: Use the auxiliary verb or modal in the tag.

If the sentence has an auxiliary (is, are, was, have, has, will, can, etc.), use it in the tag.

Example:

She has finished her work, hasn’t she?

Rule 2: Use the opposite form in the tag.

1. Positive sentence → Negative tag
2. Negative sentence → Positive tag

Example:

• He is a good boy, isn’t he?
• She doesn’t like coffee, does she?

Rule 3: Use pronouns in tags, not nouns.

Incorrect: Habiba is late, isn’t Habiba? ❌
Correct: Habiba is late, isn’t she? ✅

Rule 4: If there is no auxiliary, use do/does/did.

Example:

• You like cricket, don’t you?
• She plays guitar, doesn’t she?
• They went to Delhi, didn’t they?

Rule 5: For imperatives, use “will you?” or “won’t you?”

Example:

• Close the door, will you?
• Help me, won’t you?

Common Mistakes in Question Tags

Incorrect	Correct
He can plays guitar, doesn’t he?	He can play guitar, can’t he?
You are doctor, isn’t you?	You are a doctor, aren’t you?
She don’t like tea, do she?	She doesn’t like tea, does she?

Examples of Question Tags in Sentences

1. She is your sister, isn’t she?
2. You won the match, didn’t you?
3. They haven’t arrived yet, have they?
4. I’m late, aren’t I?
5. Let’s go out, shall we?
6. Don’t be late, will you?
7. You can swim, can’t you?

Exercise on Question Tags

Part A: Add suitable question tags

1. He is a pilot, ________?
2. You don’t like onions, ________?
3. They have completed the work, ________?
4. She didn’t call you, ________?
5. Let’s go for a walk, ________?
6. I am the only one here, ________?
7. They will come tomorrow, ________?
8. Close the window, ________?
9. You were at the station, ________?
10. She can’t drive, ________?

Part A Answers:

1. isn’t he?
2. do you?
3. haven’t they?
4. did she?
5. shall we?
6. aren’t I?
7. won’t they?
8. will you?
9. weren’t you?
10. can she?

Part B: Identify whether the following tags are correct or incorrect. Correct the incorrect ones.

1. It’s raining, isn’t it?
2. He don’t know the truth, do he?
3. We shall go now, shall we?
4. They didn’t eat anything, did they?
5. I am your teacher, am I?
6. You are late, aren’t you?
7. Open the door, won’t you?
8. The sun rises in the east, doesn’t it?
9. She can sings well, can’t she?
10. Don’t shout, will you?

Part B Answers:

1. Correct
2. Incorrect → He doesn’t know the truth, does he?
3. Correct
4. Correct
5. Incorrect → I am your teacher, aren’t I?
6. Correct
7. Correct
8. Correct
9. Incorrect → She can sing well, can’t she?
10. Correct

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

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