Question tags
Learn how to make question tags such as isn't it? and don't you?, with special cases like aren't I and shall we, and how intonation changes the meaning.
In this lesson
A question tag is a short question at the end of a sentence, such as isn’t it? or don’t you? We use question tags to check information or to ask someone to agree with us. A positive sentence usually takes a negative tag, and a negative sentence takes a positive tag: It’s hot today, isn’t it?
Key point
Make the tag with the auxiliary verb from the sentence + a pronoun. Positive sentence, negative tag: You’re from Kandy, aren’t you? Negative sentence, positive tag: You aren’t from Kandy, are you?
How do you form question tags?
A question tag has two parts: an auxiliary verb (a form of be, do or have, or a modal verb such as can or will) and a subject pronoun (I, you, he, she, it, we, they). Use the same auxiliary and the same tense as the main sentence, and put a comma before the tag.
| Sentence | Tag | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Positive | Negative tag | You’re a teacher, aren’t you? |
| Negative | Positive tag | She isn’t married, is she? |
Tip
Always use a pronoun in the tag, not a name: Nimal is late, isn’t he? Negative tags almost always use short forms such as isn’t, don’t and haven’t. Our lesson on contracted forms shows them all.
Which auxiliary verb do you use?
Look at the verb in the main sentence. If it already has an auxiliary or a modal verb, repeat it in the tag. If it has no auxiliary, use do, does or did.
| Verb in the sentence | Tag uses | Example |
|---|---|---|
| be (am, is, are, was, were) | the same form of be | It was a great match, wasn’t it? |
| Present simple | do / does | You live in Colombo, don’t you? Sanduni works in a bank, doesn’t she? |
| Past simple | did | They arrived yesterday, didn’t they? |
| Present perfect | have / has | You’ve been to Kandy, haven’t you? |
| will | will / won’t | Nimal will help us, won’t he? |
| Modal verbs | the same modal | We can park here, can’t we? You shouldn’t eat that, should you? |
If you need to review the verb forms, see our lessons on the simple present tense, the simple past tense and modal verbs.
Common mistake
You live in Colombo, isn’t it? → You live in Colombo, don’t you? The verb is live (present simple), so the tag needs don’t, and the pronoun must match you.
Note
In informal Sri Lankan English, people often add isn’t it? or no? to any sentence. In exams, interviews and formal English, always match the tag to the verb and the subject.
What happens with never, nobody and nothing?
Words such as never, hardly, nobody, nothing and no one make a sentence negative in meaning, even without not. So the tag is positive.
Examples
- He never eats meat, does he?
- Nobody called while I was out, did they?
- Nothing happened, did it?
- You hardly know her, do you?
Notice the pronouns: nobody, somebody, everyone and no one take they in the tag, and nothing and everything take it.
What are the special cases?
A few question tags do not follow the normal pattern. Learn these as fixed expressions.
| Sentence | Tag | Example |
|---|---|---|
| I am | aren’t I? | I’m late, aren’t I? |
| I’m not | am I? | I’m not late, am I? |
| Let’s | shall we? | Let’s go to the beach, shall we? |
| Positive imperative | will you? / could you? / won’t you? | Close the door, will you? Have some more rice, won’t you? |
| Negative imperative | will you? | Don’t forget, will you? |
| There is / There are | is there? / are there? | There’s a bank near here, isn’t there? |
| This / That | it | That’s Sanduni’s car, isn’t it? |
| Everyone / somebody | they | Everyone enjoyed the party, didn’t they? |
Common mistake
I’m right, amn’t I? → I’m right, aren’t I? Amn’t is not standard English, so the tag for I am is aren’t I.
Tip
With imperatives, the tag makes an order softer. Will you? and could you? make a request, and won’t you? makes a friendly invitation.
How does intonation change the meaning?
The way your voice moves on the tag changes what it means. Listen for it in conversations and films.
| Intonation | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Falling (the voice goes down) | You are almost sure. You expect the listener to agree. | It’s a lovely day, isn’t it? |
| Rising (the voice goes up) | You are not sure. You really want to know the answer. | You’re coming tomorrow, aren’t you? |
Tip
Say the sentences aloud. With falling intonation, the tag sounds like a friendly comment. With rising intonation, it sounds like a real question.
How do you answer a question tag?
Answer the fact, not the tag. Yes goes with a positive answer and no goes with a negative answer, whatever the tag is.
Examples
- ‘You aren’t from Colombo, are you?’ ‘No, I’m not. I’m from Kandy.’
- ‘You aren’t from Colombo, are you?’ ‘Yes, I am.’ (I am from Colombo.)
- ‘Nimal plays cricket, doesn’t he?’ ‘Yes, he does. He plays every Saturday.’
Note
In some languages, yes means what you said is right. In English, Yes, I am always means the positive fact, even after a negative sentence.
For more examples, read the British Council LearnEnglish lesson on question tags and the Cambridge Dictionary grammar guide to tags.
Summary
- A question tag is auxiliary verb + pronoun, added after a comma at the end of a sentence.
- Positive sentence, negative tag; negative sentence (including never and nobody), positive tag.
- Repeat be, have or a modal verb; use do, does or did when there is no auxiliary.
- Special cases: I am, aren’t I; let’s, shall we; imperatives, will you.
- Falling intonation asks for agreement; rising intonation asks a real question.
Frequently asked questions
What is the question tag for I am?
The tag is aren’t I: I’m next, aren’t I? For a negative sentence, use am I: I’m not next, am I?
Can I use isn’t it after every sentence?
Not in standard English. Isn’t it only works with it is or it was: It’s cold, isn’t it? With other verbs, use the matching auxiliary: You like tea, don’t you?
What tag do I use after let’s?
Use shall we: Let’s have lunch, shall we? It makes the suggestion sound friendly and invites the other person to agree.
Do Americans use question tags?
Yes, but they are especially common in British English. In informal American English, people often use right? instead: You’re coming, right?
Practise this lesson
11 questions
