Unbalanced Tag Questions

When there is special emphasis the rule applies that a positive sentence has a positive tag and a negative sentence has a negative tag.

The low rise of the tag usually creates a confrontational effect. It is mainly used when we are trying to be sarcastic or to make a strong point, to show anger, disbelief, shock, concern…

Besides positive-to-positive tag questions express a reaction as surprise or interest.

E.g. Jack: I refuse to spend Sunday at your mother’s house!

Jill: Oh you do, ˏdo you? We’ll see about that! (surprised)

He was the best in his class, ˏwas he? (disbelief / surprise)

You think you are funny, ˏdo you? (anger)

Negative-to-negative tag questions sound rather hostile.

E.g. Jack: I just won’t go back.

Jill: Oh you won’t, ˏwon’t you? (hostile)

1) Positive-to positive tag questions

Exercise 1.

Read the following positive-to-positive tag questions, use the low rise.

So you thought it would be a good idea to reprogram the computer, did you? (anger)

Oh I must, must I? (shock)

You are moving to Brazil, are you? (concern)

So you are having a baby, are you? That’s wonderful. (surprise)

You went to the movies alone last night, did you? (disbelief)

Exercise 2.

Read the following positive-to-positive tag questions, use the low rise and comment on the attitude of the speaker to the situation.

1. Fancy that! He sings in the bathroom, does he?

2. Oh you’ve cleaned your bike, have you? Don’t try to take me in again.

3. Your boyfriend Kevin will come to us tonight, will he? Why didn’t you tell us about the visit before?

4. Your neighbour went on vacation, did she? I see some light in the windows.

5. So you are my best friend, are you? Don’t tell me stories. I see you are trying to get round me.

6. (at the police station) This is your jacket, is it? – Yes, sir. I was wearing it last night.

Exercise 3.

Read the following positive-to-positive tag questions, use the low rise and say what attitude of the speaker might be expressed.

1. She wants to marry him, does she? Some chance.

2. Your great grandmother on your father’s side is still alive, is she?

3. Your grandfather enjoys watching TV programs that you hate, does he?

4. You will be able to eat all that quantity of food, will you?

5. To his mind he is writing a composition at the moment, is he?

6. Oh he sometimes reads newspapers, does he?

7. Sue was listening, was she?

8. The cat likes sweets, does it?

9. I am late, am I?

10. He collects wedding candles of his own weddings, does he?

11. His favourite handball team won yesterday, did they?

12. Susan can prepare supper, can she?

13. I am early, am I?

14. She thinks she plays the piano well, does she?

15. Good idea, is it?

16. Dave is your cousin, is he?

2) Negative-to negative tag questions

Exercise 4.

Read the following negative-to-negative tag questions, use the low rise. This time you sound rather hostile. Develop the situations.

So you don’t like my books, don’t you?

So you aren’t ready to help your mother, aren’t you?

You won’t leave before finishing your work, won’t you?

You haven’t broken the window, haven’t you?

She didn’t answer back, didn’t she?

You don’t watch TV in the office in the afternoon, don’t you?

You are not going home from school, aren’t you?

Mary again didn’t do her homework last Monday, didn’t she?

You couldn’t find the dog, couldn’t you?

Oh it won’t be anything expensive, won’t it?

Well, you couldn’t help me, couldn’t you?

You didn’t do anything wrong, didn’t you?

He doesn’t know what he is doing, doesn’t he?

Exercise 5.

a) Read the following tag questions; use either the low rise or the low fall according to the meaning.

He was the best in the class, ˏwas he? (the speaker is surprised, doesn’t believe)

He was the best in the class, ˏwasn’t he? (a response is expected)

He was the best in the class, ˎwasn’t he? (the speaker is sure)

He wasn’t the best in the class, ˏwasn’t he? (the speaker sounds rather hostile)

b) Read the following tag questions; use either the low rise or the low fall according to the meaning.

You aren’t going home after school, are you? (a response is expected)

You aren’t going home after school, are you? (the speaker is sure)

You aren’t going home after school, aren’t you? (the speaker sounds rather hostile)

You are going home after school, aren’t you? (a response is expected)

You are going home after school, are you? (the speaker is surprised, doesn’t believe)

c) Read the following tag questions; use either the low rise or the low fall, comment on the attitude of the speaker to the situation.

He is the best football player in his team, isn’t he?

He is the best football player in his team, isn’t he?

He is the best football player in his team, is he?

He isn’t the best football player in his team, is he?

He isn’t the best football player in his team, isn’t he?

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