), Neg:                 Don’t you live in Oakland? They aren't funny, are they? It may also be used to evoke a reply from the person you are speaking to. You live in Oakland, no? Means I think it is bad and I hope you do not do it. {See Question Tags, A2 level}. Forming question tags is very easy. Question tags are the short questions that we put on the end of sentences – particularly in spoken English. The verb in the main statement, “wasn’t” is in the negative form and the verb in the question tag, “was” is in the positive form. For positive sentences, we use the negative question tag. English question tags exist in both positive and negative forms. In fact, the answer to a negative question will often be very similar to the answer to a positive question. This / that is - This is Paul's pen, isn't it? Exercise on Question Tags. The subject of a question tag is always a pronoun. (will not = won’t). The statement 'You aren't going to Paris' uses the negative auxiliary 'aren't'. {See Question Tags, A2 level}. You don’t smoke, do you? A positive statement is followed by a negative question tag. Means I think it is bad and I hope you do not do it. Question tags are used when asking for agreement or confirmation. If there is no auxiliary verb, use do for present and did for past. You want to make a good impression and make them feel welcome. Question tags are formed with the auxiliary or modal verb from the statement and the appropriate subject. 3.1. Let’s get very polite and start with the formal use. You want to go on holiday, ? Positive StatementNegative TagYou… Example: 1.1. If the statement is negative, it is not usual to answer with yes. Complete the sentences with the correct question tags. Intonation is very important when using question tags so your listener knows if you are asking a real question or simply checking/confirming information. A negative question can also be used to ask for confirmation of a negative belief. POSITIVE TAGS NEGATIVE TAGS Remember that the question tag uses the auxiliary verb in the opposite form of the sentence itself. Imagine an important guest is visiting your office. {see Question Tags, A2 level}. Negative sentence: He is n't from Germany, is he? — “Do not disturb mrs. Smith, could you? A question tag is a small question at the end of a statement. This is really a question. So that’s just a quick introduction to question tags. You should see me today, shouldn't you/ should you not? For example: Positive imperative - Stop daydreaming, will / won't you? It’s important to know which auxiliary verb to use and whether the tag should be positive or negative. There are many different question tags but the main idea is fairly straight forward. There are many different topics and levels. ______________, Negative Question:                                                                             ______________, Positive Tag Question:                                                                       ______________, Negative Tag Question:                                                                      ______________. — “Clean you room, won’t you?” = The positive imperative clause is followed by the negative question tag won’t you? Positive statements are followed by a negative tag while negative statements are followed by a positive tag. In other words, if the sentence is positive, the question tag takes the negative form of the auxiliary verb. For positive sentences, we use the negative question tag. There is no question of frequency of use; when the speaker wants to express an amount of certainty for the answer, a negative question will be used. The auxiliary verb or verb to be in the statement matches the verb used in the tag. You already have an opinion. Students work in groups of three. Is this good music? I think it’s bad._____, 2. Affirmative sentence: He is from Germany, is n't he? Learn the rules for question tags in English grammar with Lingolia. Then test your grammar skills in the interactive exercises. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. 1. You already have an opinion. She is French, isn't she? The Question:                                                                                              What do I think? We use negative questions: نستخدم الأسئلة المنفية. I have a meeting every day, don't I/ do I not? Question tags are used at the end of statements to turn the statements into questions. You’re Spanish, aren’t you? Didn’t you see Ann yesterday? → Yes, it is, isn’t it. You don’t smoke, do you? A positive statement is followed by a negative question tag. Some adverbs have negative meanings (hardly, never, rarely, etc. 2. We can also use question tags to imply an offer. We normally use question tags to check something you think you know or you think is true. If your statement is a true question, your intonation rises. Except, of course, for the verb be in Present Simple and Past Simple. Using the negative question says MY opinion.… The trains are never on time, are they? (I don’t know. You're David, aren't you? You can agree or refuse to a sentence with a question tag. I live just across the road.' If the statement is positive, the tag is usually negative and vice versa. ;o) Form. You live in Oakland, ma? As I explained the general rule is that a negative question is followed by a positive tag, and vice versa. If you use Yes, do not use contracted forms. This short tag takes the form of a question. Formation Is this a good school? Theoretically this may make sense, but in practice this is NOT how negative questions work. Be careful about using negative or tag questions. This form may express confidence, or seek confirmation of the asker's opinion or belief. Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. Lesson by Tristan, English teacher at EC Malta English school. If the verb is in the past simple we use did. For positive sentences, we use the negative question tag. Mary has a little lamb, ? There are many different question tags but the main idea is fairly straight forward. Polite requests, offers, complaints etc. If the statement is negative, we use a positive question tag. Have got (possession) - He has got a car, hasn't he? They are normally used when speaking. Using the negative question says MY opinion. Mary can speak English, can't she? If the auxiliary verb in the sentence is affirmative, the tag is negative. Negative question tags are usually contracted: It's warm today, isn't it (not 'is it not') Usually if the main clause is positive, the question tag is negative, and if the main clause is negative, it's positive. Here’s why: The Grammar of Answering a Negative Question. You already have an opinion. Negative & Tag Questions. Be careful about using negative or tag questions. To make the question tag, you use the same auxiliary or modal verb in the statement and change it to a positive. If the auxiliary verb in the sentence is negative, the tag is affirmative. Do you have children? The tag includes a pronoun and its matching form of the verb be, or auxiliary verb. Question tags always appear at the end of the sentence and refer to the verb used in the clause before as well as the subject (which is a noun or a personal pronoun in most cases) of the corresponding statement. If we are a bit less sure, we say the question tag with a rising intonation. When the verb in the main sentence is in the present simple we form the question tag with do / does. He didn't recognize me, ? There is / are - There aren't any spiders in the bedroom, are there? A question tag is a short question at the end of a sentence that we use to check information, ask for confirmation or agreement. Question tags are short questions at the end of statements. If have is a main verb in the sentence and refers to states, there are two possible sentences – We h… A question tag is a short question at the end of a sentence that we use to check information, ask for confirmation (negative tag) or agreement (positive tag). For example: It's cold (positive), isn't it (negative)? Question tags always appear at the end of the sentence and refer to the verb used in the clause before as well as the subject (which is a noun or a personal pronoun in most cases) of the corresponding statement. An affirmative comment has a negative tag and a negative comment has a positive tag. Negative and tag questions imply that you already know the answer. Question tags, Positive and negative sentences in English - Exercise If have is used to indicate possession/belonging, we can use have or the helping verb do in British English (in American English we can only use do in this case). ).So we use positive question tags. Negative StatementPositive TagYou aren't 12 years oldAre you? Negative imperative - Don't stop singing, will you? It is not just a real question. auxiliary verb + subject 1. 'I do actually. (I think you DON’T, it’s bad to do this.). Question tags are formed by adding an auxiliary verb and repeating the subject of the main clause as a pronoun. Jack is from Spain, isn't he? (I think you do, I already have an opinon). The auxiliary verb or verb to be in the statement matches the verb used in the tag. The third student notes down the tag questions … English grammar reference notes for question tags. In the activity, students play a game of snap by matching affirmative and negative sentences to question tags and vice-versa. We make question tags in the simple present tense with do and does. We use the same auxiliary verb in the tag as in the main sentence. The short questions we put at the end of sentences are called question tags. A tag question is a short question added to a statement. Note that we use a negative tag after an affirmative sentence. 4.2. You don't smoke, do you? Some adverbs have negative meanings (hardly, never, rarely, etc. I'm Michael. An affirmative comment has a negative tag and a negative comment has a positive tag. • to express surprise. Question tags are formed with an auxiliary or modal verb. Let’s review the three forms of questions that we covered in today’s lesson. A question tag is a short question at the end of a sentence that we use to check information, ask for confirmation (negative tag) or agreement (positive tag). In this case the speaker is surprised that something has not happened or is not happening. 'You don't live here, do you?' They are mainly used in speech when we want to: Question tags are formed with the auxiliary or modal verb from the statement and the appropriate subject. Tag questions are made using an auxiliary verb (for example: be or have) and a subject pronoun (for example: I, you, she). Basically, the following rule applies: In positive sentences a negative question tag is needed and in negative ones a positive. But in a few cases, we also use POSITIVE STATEMENT + POSITIVE QUESTION TAG ( Log Out /  Two students play snap. When we reply to a statement we can put an affirmative or negative tag at the end of our comment. positive main clause → negative question tag; negative main clause → positive question tag Neg Tag:          You don’t live in Oakland, do you? Possible answers are Yes or No. A negative statement is followed by a positive question tag. She went to the library yesterday, ? 2.1. ___ I think yes________, Positive Tag Question:  You smoke, don’t you? ; If the statement is positive, the tag is usually negative and vice versa. الفعل المساعد+ الاختصار n't وهو اختصار لكلمة not + الفاعل + الفعل الرئيسي. (will not = won’t). He shouldn't say things like that, should he? Note that we use a negative tag after an affirmative sentence. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. Here is a free question tags game for pre-intermediate students. Negative questions generally ask for the same information as the positive form. Using the negative question says MY opinion. ” = The negative imperative clause is followed by the positive question tag could you? ______________, 5. ( Log Out /  1. won't is the contracted form of will not 2. the tag repeats the auxiliary verb, not the main verb. ; Examples: Lesson by Tristan, English teacher at EC Malta English school If you use No, contracted form are possible. In this lesson we’re going to look different ways we use them and you’ll also learn the best ways to answer them. Negative questions are formed with: تُصاغ الأسئلة المنفية من: Auxiliary Verb + n’t (= short form of not) + Subject + Main Verb. A negative statement is followed by a positive question tag. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. You live in Spain, don’t you? A negative question can have two different kinds of meanings. They are normally used when speaking. Form Use the same auxiliary verb as in the main sentence. It’s a wonderful piece of music. (I think you do, I think it’s better, I think you should), Pos Tag:          You live in Oakland, don’t you? How is she doing? If the sentence is negative, the question tag … Negative and tag questions imply that you already know the answer. It is not just a real question. To form the two-word tag questions, you must follow the rules below: The subject in the statement matches the subject in the tag. ).So we use positive question tags. Negative questions can be very confusing in English. We make question tags in the simple present tense with do and does. Charles will help us, ? ___I think no. To form the two-word tag questions, you must follow the rules below: The subject in the statement matches the subject in the tag. Notice that the negative verb in the original statement is changed to positive in the tag. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Usually if the sentence is positive then the question tag is negative and if it is negative then the question tag … Imperative clauses are used when people tell someone else to do something (an advice, a suggestion, a request, a command etc.).. 3. Do you smoke? 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