Question tags
Polarity-reversing tags (isn't it?, do they?), the special cases (aren't I, shall we, will you) and intonation
I can attach the right question tag with the right intonation, including the special cases.
Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?
Lovely weather, isn't it? — Classic small talk opener.
Lovely weather, isn't it? — Classic small talk opener.
Nobody told the new guy about the fire drill, did they?
Nobody told the new guy about the fire drill, did they?
Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?
Copy the auxiliary, flip the polarity:
| Statement | Tag |
|---|---|
| It's cold, | isn't it? |
| You don't mind, | do you? |
| She's been here before, | hasn't she? |
| I'm late, | aren't I? |
| Let's start, | shall we? |
| Open the window, | will you? |
Falling intonation = seeking agreement; rising = a real question. Negative-meaning words count as negative: Nobody called, did they?
- Universal tag: *It's cold, no?/yes? → isn't it?
- *I'm late, amn't I? → aren't I?
- Polarity kept: *It's cold, is it? (that means scepticism!)
Common Error Patterns
Polarity not reversed
Positive statement → negative tag
One tag for everything
Mirror the auxiliary: isn't it, do you, hasn't she
Lovely weather, isn't it? — Classic small talk opener.
Lovely weather, isn't it? — Classic small talk opener.
Falling tag seeking agreement — the British icebreaker.
Nobody told the new guy about the fire drill, did they?
Nobody told the new guy about the fire drill, did they?
nobody = negative → positive tag did they.
Practice in course
Apply this grammar in B2 course exercises