A question tag is a short question added to a statement to confirm or check information. The rule is simple: positive sentences take negative tags, and negative sentences take positive tags. The auxiliary verb in the main clause is repeated in the tag (isn’t, haven’t, won’t, etc.). If there’s no auxiliary, use do/does/did. The subject always matches the pronoun in the tag. Special cases include aren’t I?, everyone…aren’t they?, and it/there forms.
The Standard Rule for Negative Clauses
When the main clause is negative, the question tag must be positive. This is the natural “mirror” of Chapter 1.
• Statement: She isn’t ready.
• Auxiliary: is
• Tag: is she?
• Full sentence: She isn’t ready, is she?
This is one of the most powerful fluency markers. Using a negative tag after a negative statement is a classic learner error, and native speakers immediately notice it.
Explore the quirks of English question tags, from irregular forms like ‘aren’t I?’ to special rules for ‘let’s’, imperatives, and phrases like ‘have to’ and ‘used to’. Learn why native speakers favor certain tags, and discover tips to sound more fluent.
English uses special rules for pronouns like this, that, everyone, and nothing in question tags. Getting these rules wrong is a common sign of a non-native speaker. Once you learn the system, however, it is very consistent and easy to apply.
This lesson covers the key mapping rules for these special subjects.
Mastering these rules will make your spoken English sound much more natural.
Not all negative statements in English use the word “not.” Some words look neutral but carry a hidden negative meaning. These are called negative polarity words, and they’re a classic trap for learners because they require the question tag to be positive, even when there’s no visible “not.”
In this lesson, you will learn how to master these tricky words to improve your fluency. We will explore:
What negative polarity words are and how to identify them.
How words like never, hardly, seldom, and rarely function as negatives.
The crucial difference between few/little and a few/a little.
How to form correct question tags for sentences containing these words.
This lesson explains how to use tag questions in English to sound polite and natural, especially for Spanish speakers. It highlights their role in softening statements, starting conversations, and common mistakes.
English question tags change meaning based on intonation. A falling pitch (↘) shows confidence or politeness, expecting agreement, while a rising pitch (↗) signals a real question or uncertainty. Spanish relies less on pitch, so learners may miscommunicate in English. Tags can also express encouragement, sarcasm, or soften statements. Mastering intonation in tags is key to sounding natural and polite in English.
