Tag Questions
Tag questions are short questions attached to the end of a statement to
draw attention or add emphasis.
Key Rules and Examples
I. Positive vs. Negative Tags
A positive statement takes a negative tag.
o Example: It is very cold today, isn't it?
A negative statement takes a positive tag.
o Example: It is not very warm today, is it?
II. Semi-negative Words
Words like little, few, hardly, scarcely, rarely, and seldom are treated as
negatives. Therefore, they take a positive tag.
Example: Few people knew the answer, did they?
Example: We seldom see them nowadays, do we?
. Pronouns in Tags
Personal Pronouns: If the subject is a personal pronoun, use the
same pronoun in the tag.
o Example: He is clever, isn't he?
Nouns: If the subject is a noun, use the corresponding pronoun (he,
she, it, they).
o Example: That girl isn't attractive, is she?
Indefinite Pronoun 'One': If the subject is "one," the tag must
also use "one."
o Example: One can't be too careful, can one?
IV. Verb Forms
'To be' and 'To have': Use the same verb in the tag.
o Example: John has a cold, hasn't he?
o Special Case: The tag for "I am" is aren't I? (e.g., I'm older
than you, aren't I?)
Simple Tenses: For other verbs (or 'have' meaning possession),
use do, does, or did.
o Example: She looks ill, doesn't she?
o Example: She used to play tennis, didn't she?
V. Compound Tenses & Modals
If the sentence uses an auxiliary verb (have, can, may, must, ought,
need), use that same auxiliary in the tag.
o Example: We have finished, haven't we?
o Example: You mustn't be late, must you?
VI. Imperatives (Commands/Requests)
Simple Requests: Use won't you? or will you?
o Example: Please come in, won't you?
Negative Imperatives: Use will you?
o Example: Don't forget, will you?
Suggestions with 'Let us': Use shall we?
o Example: Let us sit in the park, shall we?
Imperative Statements (Invitations/Suggestions):
o Tags like "will you?" or "won't you?" are used.
o "won't you?" is used to add a sense of urgency.
o Example: "Have another cup of tea, will you?"
Impatience or Rebukes:
o The tag "can't you?" is often used.
o Example: "Use your common sense, can't you?"
Indefinite Pronouns ('Everybody', 'Everyone'):
o While these subjects are singular, the question tag uses the
plural pronoun 'they'.
o Example: "Everyone cheered her, didn't they?"
None of' and 'Some of':
o None of / Some of us: Use 'we' if the speaker is included.
o None of / Some of them: Use 'they'.
o Some of you: Use 'you'.
Summary Table
Subject/ Tag Example
Type Pronoun/Ve
rb
Invitation will you? / Have a
won't you? seat, will you?
Impatience can't you? Keep
quiet, can't
you?
Everybody they Everybody is
ready, aren't
they?
None of us we None of us saw
it, did we?
None of they None of them
them arrived, did
they
Question Tags – Quick Summary
Positive sentence → Negative tag
She is happy, isn’t she?
Negative sentence → Positive tag
She isn’t happy, is she?
🔹 Semi-Negative Words
Words like few, little, rarely, seldom, hardly act negative, so take positive tags
→ Few people came, did they?
🔹 Pronouns
Use the same or suitable pronoun
Ravi is here, isn’t he?
Everyone / everybody → they
Everyone left, didn’t they?
One → one
One should try, shouldn’t one?
🔹 Verbs
Use the same auxiliary verb
She has finished, hasn’t she?
If no auxiliary → use do/does/did
He plays well, doesn’t he?
Special case: I am → aren’t I?
🔹 Imperatives
Requests → will you / won’t you?
Negative commands → will you?
Let us → shall we?