Question Tags
Add a short question at the end of a sentence to check information or invite agreement.
The basic rule
If the main sentence is positive, the tag is negative. If the main sentence is negative, the tag is positive.
- You are tired, aren't you?
- She isn't coming, is she?
- He can swim, can't he?
Matching the auxiliary verb
The tag uses the same auxiliary or modal verb as the main sentence, and matches the same subject pronoun.
- They have finished, haven't they?
- You didn't call, did you?
- She will help, won't she?
Sentences without an auxiliary verb
For the present simple and past simple without an auxiliary, use do/does/did in the tag.
- You like coffee, don't you?
- He works here, doesn't he?
- They left early, didn't they?
Special cases
'I am' uses 'aren't I' in the tag, and imperative sentences often use 'will you'.
- I'm right, aren't I?
- Close the door, will you?
- Let's go, shall we?
More examples in context
Question tags are common in natural spoken English, especially for checking or confirming.
- This is your book, isn't it?
- You haven't met him before, have you?
- She doesn't like spicy food, does she?
- We can leave now, can't we?
- It's a nice day, isn't it?
- You wouldn't lie to me, would you?
Common mistakes to avoid
These are frequent question tag errors, and how to correct them.
- ✗ You are happy, are you? → ✓ You are happy, aren't you?
- ✗ She doesn't like it, doesn't she? → ✓ She doesn't like it, does she?
- ✗ He can dance, isn't he? → ✓ He can dance, can't he?
- ✗ I am late, amn't I? → ✓ I am late, aren't I?
Quick practice
Complete each question tag, then check your answer.
- You speak French, ___? (answer: don't you)
- She isn't here, ___? (answer: is she)
- They can come, ___? (answer: can't they)
- He finished his homework, ___? (answer: didn't he)
- I'm invited too, ___? (answer: aren't I)