tag question

what is tag question in english grammar

tag question

Read the sentences in the passage:

Nafiz is sitting alone in the field. He looks around and speaks to himself. "Birds are free, aren't they? They can fly at large can't they? They are not the best of creations like mant are they? Man is the best creation of God, isn't he? He cannot fly in the sky, can he? Birds are a part of our environment. But they do not pollute our environment, do they? It is man who pollutes his environment, doesn't he? We should not pollute our environment, should we? Our people are not educated. If they are educated they will become conscious, won't they? Our people must be educated, mustn't they? Oh! The sun is already set. I am late for home, am n't I? I have to return now, haven't I? 

Ask and Answer: 

Do most sentences in the passage end with a question? Pick out the questions. Does an Affirmative sentence end with a negative question? Does a Negative sentence end with'an affirmative question? 

What is tag question?

A Tag Question is the question asked by the speaker after a negative or affirmative statement during conversation. Through a Tag Question the speaker wants to have an answer in support of the statement. 

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

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

Example:

They came here, didn't they? 

They did not work, did they?

The auxiliary verb or the modal used in the sentence is again used in the Tag Question. The noun used as subject is replaced by pronoun.

Example:

Birds fly in the sky, don't they?

Birds can fly, can't they? 

If the sentence begins with Let's, 'shall we is used in the question tag.

Let's go for a walk, shall we? 

Let us go back, shall we?

Use appropriate Tag Questions in the following sentences:

a. None can do it,.......?

b. Neither of them went,........?

c. Nobody went there,...... ?

d. Everybody saw you,......?

e. There is no pond in this village,......?

F. It is a good idea ……?

g. We ought to love our country, …….?

h. He need not depend on others, …….?

i. I am not ready, …….?

J. I am well, ……...?

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