Unit 12 tag questions and echo questions

A tag question is a short question (e.g. have you? haven’t you?) that follows a statement. We from tag questions with the auxiliary of the verb in the main clause (e.g. be, have, can, may, do etc.)

Tag questions are possible with there:

There will be a strike tomorrow, won’t there?

This / that in the main clause are replaced by it in the tag:

This / that (suit) is expensive, isn’t it?

Everybody (-one), somebody (-one), nobody (-one) are changed to they:

Nobody has been told, have they?

Everyone is ready, aren’t they?

The question tag for let’s is shall we? The question tag for I am is aren’t I?

Where the main verb is positive, the tag is usually negative and vice versa.

The majority of tag questions use a falling intonation.

It’s very cold,  isn’t it?

She comes from France,  doesn’t she?

If our voice goes down on the tag, we want the listener to agree with us and we don’t usually expect an answer.

You locked the door,  didn’t you? (I assume you did)

You didn’t lock the door,  did you? (I assume you didn’t)

If out voice goes up on the tag, we are asking a real question which needs an answer:

You left the gas on,  didn’t you? – Yes, I did. / No, I didn’t.

You didn’t leave the gas on,  did you? – Yes, I did. / No, I didn’t.

Types of tag questions

1. Tag questions with a falling intonation.

positive statement – negative tag;

negative statement – positive tag.

This type is not really a question. We use it to make a comment where it is assumed that the listener agrees with the statement.

A statement on its own expresses an opinion to the listener or gives the listener some information. A statement with a tag question usually sounds more friendly because the tag assumes that the listener already knows this information or holds this opinion. When we use a tag question, we are therefore including the listener more in what we are saying. The listener is expected to reply in agreement. She / he may reply in the following ways:

statement with tag question:

It’s a lovely day, isn’t it?

replies:

• a short answer

Yes, it is.

• a short answer with an additional comment

Yes, it is. It’s much nicer than yesterday.

• a short answer with another tag question

Yes, it is, isn’t it?

Use:

1. to make a single conversational statement

Lovely day,  isn’t it?

It’s not very nice,  is it?

The train is late today,  isn’t it?

2. to open a conversation and introduce a topic

It was terrible news about the murder,  wasn’t it?

It looks like this meeting’s going to be interesting,  doesn’t it?

This year’s pay review hasn’t been announced yet,  has it?

3. to pass a comment during a conversation

Yes, it’s disgusting,  isn’t it?

But he made some very good points,  didn’t he?

2. Tag questions with a rising intonation.

positive statement – negative tag;

negative statement – positive tag.

A tag with rising intonation is less common than tag questions with falling intonation. The former is more questioning. We are asking a real question that needs answering. It expresses stronger feelings than a falling tag and can be used to convey a range of emotions.

Use:

1. to express surprise or disapproval

You didn’t tell him,  did you?

2. to express surprise and ask for confirmation of what the speaker thought to be true

A: I think he’s taking his test next week.

B: But he passed his test a long time ago,  didn’t he?

3. to check and ask for confirmation

That’s your car,  isn’t it?

4. to make a tentative polite request

You couldn’t open the door for me,  could you?

5. to express suspicion

It wasn’t you who told him,  was it?