Tag questions are used when seeking confirmation of
what one believes to be true. They restate, in question
form, the previously spoken sentence. For example:
He is an engineer. Isn't he?
They're not from
Colorado. Are they?
Zack is really tired.
Isn't he?
She is going to Taiwan,
isn't she?
You have never been to
Las Vegas. Have you?
The Rays are playing the
Jays. Aren't they?
You went to the
supermarket. Didn't you?
Zane doesn't live in
Missouri. Does he?
Ms. Zeller has a new car.
Doesn't she?
(Positive statement, negative tag)
(Negative statement,
positive tag)
(Positive statement,
negative tag)
(Positive statement,
negative tag)
(Negative statement,
positive tag)
(Positive statement,
negative tag)
(Positive statement,
negative tag)
(Negative statement,
positive tag)
(Positive statement,
negative tag)
In tag questions, the corresponding pronoun and the
first verb of the corresponding yes/no question are used.
Also, notice that with positive statements, negative tag
questions are used and vice versa.