The main rule
A question tag is a short question added to the end of a statement. The rule is simple:
Positive statement + negative tag?
"It's warm today, isn't it?"
Negative statement + positive tag?
"She can't drive, can she?"
"It's warm today, isn't it?"
Negative statement + positive tag?
"She can't drive, can she?"
The tag uses the same auxiliary verb as the main sentence (or do/does/did if there is no auxiliary). The subject of the tag is always a pronoun.
Question tag auxiliaries
| Statement | Tag | Example |
|---|---|---|
| is / am / are | isn't / aren't | She's a doctor, isn't she? |
| was / were | wasn't / weren't | It was cold, wasn't it? |
| do / does | don't / doesn't | You know her, don't you? |
| did | didn't | They won, didn't they? |
| will / won't | won't / will | You'll help, won't you? |
| can / can't | can't / can | She can swim, can't she? |
| have / has | haven't / hasn't | He's left, hasn't he? |
| would | wouldn't | You'd like some, wouldn't you? |
| must | mustn't / don't | We must leave, mustn't we? |
Special cases
| Case | Example |
|---|---|
| I am → aren't I? | I'm late, aren't I? (not "amn't I") |
| There is/are → isn't/aren't there? | There's a problem, isn't there? |
| Imperatives (requests) → will you? / won't you? | Open the door, will you? · Have a seat, won't you? |
| Nobody / nothing → they/it? | Nobody called, did they? · Nothing happened, did it? |
| Let's → shall we? | Let's go, shall we? |
Intonation matters:
Falling intonation (↘) on the tag = you expect agreement: "Nice day, isn't it↘?" Rising intonation (↗) on the tag = genuinely asking / not sure: "You've met her, haven't you↗?"
Exercises
Choose the correct question tag.
1. She works in London, ___?
2. They haven't finished yet, ___?
3. It was a great party, ___?
4. I'm next, ___?
5. Let's take a break, ___?