Question tags

• What they are
• The rule
• How to form them
  • With be
  • With modals
  • With have (as auxiliary)
  • With do/does/did
• Intonation matters

What they are

A question tag is a short question at the end of a sentence, similar to a fixed phrase like right? Many languages have one invariable expression for this. English question tags are more complex because they change depending on the sentence.

The rule

Positive sentence => negative tag. Negative sentence => positive tag.

You are coming, aren't you?

She doesn't like coffee, does she?

He is a doctor, isn't he?

They haven't finished, have they?

How to form them

Use the auxiliary verb or modal from the sentence. If the verb is be, use be. If there is none of these, use do/does/did:

With be

She is happy, isn't she?

They were late, weren't they?

I'm not late, am I?

With modals

He can swim, can't he?

You would help me, wouldn't you?

She should go, shouldn't she?

They will come, won't they?

You won't forget, will you?

With have (as auxiliary)

You have been to Paris, haven't you?

She has finished, hasn't she?

With do/does/did

You like pizza, don't you?

She speaks French, doesn't she?

They went home, didn't they?

He doesn't work here, does he?

You have a car, don't you?

With I am, the negative tag is aren't I? (not amn't I?). In formal English you can also say am I not? I'm right, aren't I? / I'm right, am I not?

Intonation matters

Rising intonation (the voice goes up): the question tag is a genuine question. You don't know the answer.

You don't have a car, do you? (Rising. I'm not sure)

Falling intonation (the voice goes down): the question tag is just seeking confirmation. You expect agreement.

It's a nice day, isn't it? (Falling. I expect you to agree)

In general, most question tags in casual conversation use falling intonation.