Simple explanation
What are question tags? A question tag is a short question added to the end of a statement. Speakers commonly use question tags to check information, ask for confirmation, seek agreement, or encourage another person to respond. For example, in You work here, don't you?, the speaker already has an idea that the person works there and is checking whether that idea is correct. The basic positive-negative pattern The most important pattern is based on contrast. A positive statement usually takes a negative question tag: She is tired, isn't she? A negative statement usually takes a positive question tag: She isn't tired, is she? This positive-negative contrast is the starting point for forming most question tags. Choosing the correct auxiliary verb Look at the verb structure in the main statement. If the statement contains be, an auxiliary verb, or a modal verb such as can, will, should, or have, use the same verb in the tag. If there is no visible auxiliary in the Simple Present or Simple Past, use do, does, or did. Choosing the subject of the tag The subject in a question tag is normally a pronoun. If the main statement has a name or noun as its subject, replace it with the appropriate pronoun. For example, Maria is busy becomes Maria is busy, isn't she? The children are outside becomes The children are outside, aren't they? Question tags and speaker meaning Question tags are not used only to test whether information is true. They can also invite agreement or keep a conversation moving. Intonation helps show the speaker's intention. Falling intonation often suggests that the speaker expects agreement or confirmation. Rising intonation usually suggests greater uncertainty and makes the tag sound more like a genuine question.
Grammar formula
Positive statement
positive statement + negative auxiliary + subject pronoun?You know Jack, don't you?
Negative statement
negative statement + positive auxiliary + subject pronoun?She isn't busy, is she?
Simple Present
statement + don't/doesn't + subject pronoun?Tom works here, doesn't he?
Simple Past
statement + didn't + subject pronoun?They called yesterday, didn't they?
Modal verb
statement + opposite form of modal + subject pronoun?We can start now, can't we?
Let's
Let's + base verb + ..., shall we?Let's order dinner, shall we?
Core rules
- 1
Positive statement + negative tag
A positive statement normally takes a negative question tag: You're ready, aren't you?
- 2
Negative statement + positive tag
A negative statement normally takes a positive question tag: He isn't working today, is he?
- 3
Repeat the auxiliary verb
If the statement already contains be, an auxiliary, or a modal verb, use the same verb in the tag: She can swim, can't she? They haven't arrived, have they?
- 4
Use do, does, or did when necessary
When a Simple Present or Simple Past statement has no visible auxiliary, form the tag with do, does, or did: You like coffee, don't you? Ben works here, doesn't he? They left early, didn't they?
- 5
Use a pronoun in the tag
The subject of a question tag is normally a pronoun rather than a repeated noun or name: Sarah lives nearby, doesn't she? Your parents are away, aren't they?
- 6
Special pattern with I am
The usual tag after a positive statement with I am is aren't I?: I'm early, aren't I? After a negative statement, am I? is possible: I'm not interrupting, am I?
- 7
Special pattern with let's
Statements beginning with Let's normally take shall we?: Let's take a break, shall we?
- 8
Tags after imperatives
Will you? is a common tag after an imperative. Depending on tone and context, it can make a request sound conversational or add emphasis: Close the door, will you?
- 9
Words with negative meaning
Words such as never, nobody, nothing, and hardly make a statement negative in meaning, so they normally take a positive tag: He never complains, does he?
Useful examples
You're from Australia, aren't you?
You are from Australia, right?
The statement is positive and contains are, so the tag uses the negative form aren't.
Sophie isn't at home, is she?
Sophie is not at home, right?
The statement is negative, so it takes the positive tag is she?
You work on Saturdays, don't you?
You work on Saturdays, right?
The statement is in the Simple Present with you, so the tag uses don't.
Daniel lives near the station, doesn't he?
Daniel lives near the station, right?
With a third-person singular subject in the Simple Present, the tag uses doesn't.
They arrived early, didn't they?
They arrived early, right?
The statement is in the Simple Past, so the tag is formed with did.
You haven't seen this film, have you?
You have not seen this film, right?
The statement contains the negative auxiliary haven't, so the tag uses positive have.
She can speak French, can't she?
She is able to speak French, right?
The modal can is repeated in its negative form in the tag.
We should leave soon, shouldn't we?
We should probably leave soon, right?
The modal should is used again in the negative tag.
I'm next, aren't I?
I am the next person, right?
Aren't I? is the standard question tag after positive I am.
Let's meet after work, shall we?
Let's meet when work is finished, okay?
Shall we? is the usual question tag after Let's.
Turn the music down, will you?
Please turn the music down, okay?
Will you? can be added to an imperative as a conversational tag.
He never eats breakfast, does he?
He does not ever eat breakfast, right?
Never has a negative meaning, so the question tag is positive.
Nobody told you, did they?
No one told you, right?
Nobody is negative in meaning, and singular they is commonly used in the tag.
Common mistakes
- ❌ You're tired, are you? ✅ You're tired, aren't you? In the standard confirmation pattern, a positive statement normally requires a negative tag.
- ❌ She doesn't work here, doesn't she? ✅ She doesn't work here, does she? The main statement is negative, so the question tag should be positive.
- ❌ Tom plays tennis, isn't he? ✅ Tom plays tennis, doesn't he? Plays is a main verb in the Simple Present. There is no form of be in the statement, so the tag requires does.
- ❌ They went home, don't they? ✅ They went home, didn't they? Went is in the Simple Past, so the tag must use did rather than do.
- ❌ Sara is your sister, isn't Sara? ✅ Sara is your sister, isn't she? The subject of a question tag is normally a pronoun, so Sara becomes she.
- ❌ I'm late, amn't I? ✅ I'm late, aren't I? Aren't I? is the standard question tag used after a positive statement with I am.
- ❌ Let's go home, will we? ✅ Let's go home, shall we? The usual question tag after Let's is shall we?
Learning tips
- First decide whether the main statement is positive or negative.
- Find be, an auxiliary verb, or a modal verb before deciding which verb to use in the tag.
- Use do, does, or did only when the statement does not already provide another suitable auxiliary.
- Keep the tense of the question tag consistent with the main statement.
- Replace names and noun phrases with appropriate subject pronouns in the tag.
- Remember that never, nobody, nothing, and similar expressions make a statement negative in meaning.
- Practise question tags aloud because intonation helps communicate whether you expect agreement or genuinely need information.
Practise this topic
Interactive exercises for this topic are coming soon.
PlannedRelated grammar
Related dictionary words
Frequently asked questions
When should I use do, does, or did in a question tag?
Use do or does with Simple Present statements that do not contain another auxiliary, and use did with Simple Past statements. For example: She works here, doesn't she? They left early, didn't they?
Why do we say I'm late, aren't I?
Aren't I? is the standard question tag normally used after a positive statement with I am. It is an important special form to learn as a fixed pattern.
Why is the tag positive after words like never and nobody?
Words such as never and nobody already make the statement negative in meaning. Because the statement is negative, the question tag normally takes a positive form: He never calls, does he?
What is the difference between You know him, don't you? and Do you know him?
Do you know him? is a direct question asking for information. You know him, don't you? normally shows that the speaker already believes the statement is probably true and wants confirmation.
Can a positive statement ever have a positive question tag?
Yes, same-polarity patterns can occur in conversation, often to express reactions such as surprise, interest, or challenge. However, the core B1 pattern to master first is positive statement plus negative tag and negative statement plus positive tag.
Does intonation change the meaning of a question tag?
Yes. Falling intonation often indicates that the speaker expects agreement or confirmation. Rising intonation usually suggests that the speaker is less certain and genuinely wants the listener to confirm the information.