Question Tags
Question Tags in English
A question tag is a short question that we put at the end of a sentence, usually to check information or to ask for agreement.
They are very common in spoken English.
The structure is simple:
Auxiliary verb + subject (pronoun)
The rule:
If the main sentence is positive, the tag is negative.
If the main sentence is negative, the tag is positive.
Examples with Different Tenses
1. Present Simple
You like pizza, don’t you?
She doesn’t work here, does she?
2. Past Simple
They went to the party, didn’t they?
He didn’t call you, did he?
3. Present Continuous
You’re studying English now, aren’t you?
She isn’t watching TV, is she?
4. Past Continuous
We were waiting for the bus, weren’t we?
He wasn’t sleeping, was he?
5. Present Perfect
They’ve finished the project, haven’t they?
She hasn’t visited Paris, has she?
6. Future (with will)
You’ll come tomorrow, won’t you?
He won’t be late, will he?
7. Modal Verbs
She can play the piano, can’t she?
We mustn’t be late, must we?
They should study more, shouldn’t they?
Special Cases
With “I am”, the tag is “aren’t I?”
I’m your teacher, aren’t I?
With imperatives, we often use “will you?” or “won’t you?”
Open the door, will you?
Don’t be late, will you?