Lesson
How to form and use tags(English as second language)
We use question tags at the end of sentences when we want check something, when want someone to do something or when we show surprise:
You're English, aren't you?
You've got five minutes to spare, haven't you?
You're not going to leave, are you?
For positive statements we use the negative particle not:
{statement} + {auxiliary/modal} + [not] + {subject}
If there is no auxiliary or modal, we use do:
{statement} + {do} + [not] + {subject}
She was not here, was she?
It cannot be verified, can it?
We will win, won't we?
She likes me, doesn't she?
They didn't stay, did they?
We use question tags in three ways:
1. To verify information; when we are fairly certain of a fact and want merely to check it, we can use a question tag:
You're a Sagittarius, aren't you?
She isn't French, is she?
2. To ask someone to do something; often this is used when we want someone to agree with what we say:
He's ugly, isn't he?
You're clever, aren't you? Can you help me with my homework?
3. To show surprise in a negative way when we cannot really believe something is true - we use this only in negative sentences:
Yo u're not marrying her, are you?
She isn't still talking, is she?
After let's... and offers & suggestions we use shall:
Let's go, shall we?
After imperatives we use will/would/can/could:
Leave us for a moment, would you?
