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english language from 1

Chapter 2: Pronouns

Question tags

A question tag is a short phrase that is added at the end of a statement to convert it into a question.

 

We use question tags

 

-to make sure of certain things:

 

You are a Cameroonian, aren't you? Yes, I am.

You are not American, are you? No I'm not.

You have children, haven't you? Yes, I have.

You have no shoes, have you? No. I haven't.

 

-to express an opinion

It's hot in here, isn't it?

 

-to form question tags, repeat the auxiliary verb:

You are happy, aren't you?

Ayuk isn't at home, is he?

 

When a sentence is in the affirmative, the question tag is in the negative, and when it is in the negative, the question tag is in the affirmative.

 

For example

1) You are happy, aren't you?

(Affirmative) + (negative)

 

2) You are not happy, are you?

(Negative) + (affirmative)

 

Note that the tense of the verb in the question tag must always remain the same as in the statement.

 

For example: You are sick, aren't you? You didn't like him, did you?

                            present      present                past                 past

When it is not possible to repeat the verb in the statement, use; ‘do, does, don't or doesn't' accordingly.

 

Example

 He loves kids, doesn't he?

You know the answer, don't you?

They do not understand French, do they?

 

par Claude Foumtum