Tag questions

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo
• Leerjaar 2

Tag Questions

Tag questions

You are very interested in this lesson, aren't you?

Ajax lost their last game, didn't they?

English is easy, isn't it?

Everybody loves McDonald's, don't they?

World of Warcraft isn't a difficult game, is it?

Lola doesn't like basketball, does she?

You can't do three backflips, can you?

What are tag questions?

A tag question is a short question at the end of a sentence.

Tag questions turn statements into questions.

English is easy. (statement)      English is easy, isn't it ? (question)

The tag question exists of: (auxillary) verb + pronoun

1. relatie met de zin ervoor

2. + wordt -,  - wordt +

Which pronoun?

Repeat the pronoun that is used in the statement. 

If a name is used, choose the correct pronoun.

We are happy, aren't we?

Jim isn't at school, is he?

The girls love swimming, don't they?

I am an English teacher, aren't I?

Which verb?

If the statement contains a form of 'to be', repeat that one in the tag question.

Sheila and Janet are fond of tennis, aren't they?

I am the best teacher in the world, aren't I?

I'm not a good singer, am I?

If the statement contains an auxiliary (hulpwerkwoord), repeat it in the tag question.

You can jump very far, can't you?

Which verb 2?

If the statement does not contain a form of 'to be' or 'can',
you have to use a form of 'to do'. Choose the form that fits the statement:

Joan plays tennis, doesn't she?
Wim cooked dinner last night, didn't he?

We go to school by bus, don't we?

positive - negative

If the statement is positive, the tag question is negative.

I like cats, don't I?
Jim is 15, isn't he?

If the statement is negative, the tag question is positive.

John doesn't enjoy flying, does he?

English isn't difficult, is it?

Tag questions

Het werkt als een soort batterij.

als het ene deel een negatief ('not'/ n't) staat, 

staat er een 'plus' in het tweede.

You are Dave, aren't you?

I love playing computer games,

1. love I?
2. loven't I?
3. do I?
4. don't I?

Superman has many powers,

1. has he?
2. hasn't he?
3. does he?
4. doesn't he?

James didn't sleep on the couch,

1. did he?
2. didn't he?
3. does he?
4. doesn't he?

This exercise isn't easy,

1. isn't it?
2. is it?
3. does it?
4. doesn't it?

..., aren't you?

1. You like Batman,
2. He is fond of Deadpool,
3. You are count Dracula,
4. You aren't Usain Bolt,

She is your boss, .............?

1. aren't she
2. doesn't she
3. isn't she?
4. is she?

We are home late, ............?

1. aren't we
2. amn't we
3. isn't we

I am the best teacher in the world, .............?

1. aren't I
2. amn't I
3. isn't I
4. am I

She works at the police office, ......?

1. does she
2. doesn't she
3. do she
4. don't she

My uncle has got a piano, .............?

1. has he
2. hasn't he
3. have he
4. haven't he

I can play the piano, .........?

1. don't I
2. do I
3. can't I
4. can I

Summary

Tag questions are used to turn statements into questions.

1. Repeat the form of 'to be' or 'can'
   
2. Other verbs, add a form of 'to do'
   
3. Choose the correct pronoun (you, I, she, it, they...)
   
4. Positive statement = negative tag question
   
5. Negative statement = positive tag question
   

Do you need more on Question Tags?

Next sheets: explanation clip (7 minutes)+ quiz (8 minutes)

01:46

He can play football.

01:52

You didn't see James.

02:00

She never cleans up.

02:06

They have been to France.