What is a Tag Question?
A tag question is a short question added at the end of a statement to confirm information, seek agreement, or make conversation polite.
Structure:
Statement + , + Tag
Examples:
- You are a student, aren’t you?
- She works here, doesn’t she?
- They have finished, haven’t they?
1️⃣ Basic Rule (Golden Rule)
Positive statement → Negative tag
Negative statement → Positive tag
Examples:
- He is late, isn’t he?
- She doesn’t like coffee, does she?
- We can start now, can’t we?
2️⃣ Auxiliary Verb Rule
The auxiliary verb in the statement is repeated in the tag.
Statement Tag
She is coming isn’t she?
They have finished haven’t they?
He will help won’t he?
Note: If no auxiliary is present, use do / does / did.
- She plays cricket, doesn’t she?
- They went home, didn’t they?
3️⃣ Tag Questions with Tenses
Present Simple
- He works hard, doesn’t he?
- She doesn’t drive, does she?
Present Continuous
- They are studying, aren’t they?
- He isn’t sleeping, is he?
Present Perfect
- She has completed the work, hasn’t she?
- We haven’t met before, have we?
Past Simple
- He won the match, didn’t he?
- She didn’t call you, did she?
Past Continuous
- They were arguing, weren’t they?
Future (Will / Going to)
- You will help me, won’t you?
- She is going to leave, isn’t she?
4️⃣ Tag Questions with Modals
Can
You can swim, can’t you?
Should
We should leave, shouldn’t we?
Must
He must obey the rules, mustn’t he?
May
She may come late, mayn’t she? (formal)
5️⃣ Subject Pronoun Rule
The subject in the tag must be a pronoun, not a noun.
- Ali is here, isn’t he? ❌ isn’t Ali?
- The children are playing, aren’t they?
6️⃣ Special & Tricky Cases
a) Imperative Sentences
Commands & requests use will / won’t / can / could.
- Open the door, will you?
- Don’t make noise, will you?
- Help me, can you?
b) Let’s
- Let’s go home, shall we?
c) I am
❌ am I not? (rare/formal)
✅ aren’t I? (correct & common)
- I am late, aren’t I?
d) Everybody / Somebody / Nobody
Use they in the tag.
- Everybody knows him, don’t they?
- Nobody called me, did they?
e) Negative Words (never, hardly, scarcely)
These make the sentence negative, so the tag is positive.
- He never lies, does he?
- She hardly eats, does she?
Common Mistakes (Exam Traps)
❌ She is beautiful, isn’t she beautiful?
✅ She is beautiful, isn’t she?
❌ He plays well, isn’t he?
✅ He plays well, doesn’t he?
❌ I am your friend, am I not?
✅ I am your friend, aren’t I?