3. Tag questions with a rising intonation.

positive statement – positive tag.

These are not as common as the previous two. The tag can convey a range of emotions.

Use:

1. to express friendly interest and to encourage the other speaker to give more information (= "Tell me more!")

So, you’ve been given a promotion,  have you?

2. to make a suggestion where agreement is expected

We’ll go for a swim this afternoon,  shall we?

4. Tag questions with a falling intonation.

positive statement – positive tag.

The tag can convey a range of emotions (usually negative feelings).

Use:

1. to express suspicion, disapproval and disappointment

You went there without telling me,  did you? (= you shouldn’t have done so)

You sold that lovely house,  did you? (= I’m sorry you did)

Echo Tags

An echo tag is a tag used in response to a statement. Echo tags are very common in spoken English. We use echo tags to show that we are listening to what the speaker is saying and are showing interest, concern, anger, surprise, etc.

Negative statement – negative echo tag;

Positive statement – positive echo tag.

Intonation: falling or rising.

Rising intonation expresses more surprise and shows that we want more information. Falling intonation means that we confirm what we know or have guessed; or expresses some negative emotions (anger, disbelief, etc.).

A: I met David the other night.

B: Did you?

A: I’m not going to apply for that new job now.

B: Aren’t you?

Affirmative	Negative
He’s resigning. -  Is he? He \ is? - He  is,  isn’t he? - He  is,  is he?	He isn’t resigning. -  Isn’t he? He \ isn’t. - He  isn’t,  is he?

Notes:

• Tag questions always use a pronoun and not a full name

John’s coming, isn’t he?

• When the main sentence has the modal, use the modal in the tag

You can help me, can’t you?

• When the subject of the sentence is there, use there in the tag

There aren’t many people there, are there?

• When the subject of the sentence is this or that, use it in the tag

That’s nice, isn’t it?

When the subject of the sentence is these / those, use they in the tag

Those are beautiful, aren’t they?

• When the subject of the sentence is no one, nobody, someone, everyone, everybody, the tag uses the pronoun they

Everyone’s coming tonight, aren’t they?

• Sentences with negative subjects like nothing, no one, neither, anyone behave like negative sentences and have a positive tag

Nobody saw you, did they?

• Imperative sentences use will in the tag

Don’t do that again, will you?

• Sentences with Let’s… use shall in the tag

Let’s go there tomorrow, shall we?

• Negative questions can perform a similar function to question tags with a falling intonation

It’s cold today, isn’t it?

Isn’t it cold today?

References:

1. Thomson A.J. and Martinet A.V. A Practical English Grammar. Oxford University Press, 1997.

2. Walker E. and Elsworth S. Grammar Practice for Upper Intermediate Students. Longman, 1995.

3. Side R. and Wellman G. Grammar and Vocabulary for Cambridge Advanced and Proficiency. Longman, 1999.

4. Collins Cobuild Student’s Grammar. 1995.