Question Tags

Question tags are short questions that are added to the end of a sentence to seek confirmation or to check information. They are used to turn a statement into a question and are typically formed by using an auxiliary verb (e.g., do, does, did, have, has, had, etc.) with a pronoun that matches the subject of the sentence.

Rules for Forming Question Tags:

1. If the main clause is affirmative, the question tag is negative. Example: He is a doctor, isn't he?
2. If the main clause is negative, the question tag is affirmative. Example: She doesn't like coffee, does she?
3. If the main clause contains an auxiliary verb, the same auxiliary verb is used in the question tag. Example: They have finished their homework, haven't they?
4. If the main clause does not contain an auxiliary verb, the appropriate form of the auxiliary verb "do" is used in the question tag. Example: She sings beautifully, doesn't she?

Usage of Question Tags:

1. Seeking Confirmation: Question tags are commonly used to seek confirmation or agreement from the listener. Example: You like ice cream, don't you?
2. Checking Information: Question tags are also used to check information, especially when the speaker is not certain about something. Example: The train leaves at 10 o'clock, doesn't it?
3. Showing Interest: Question tags can be used to show interest and engage the listener in conversation. Example: You're from Australia, aren't you?

Examples of Question Tags:

1. He is a good student, isn't he?
2. They haven't arrived yet, have they?
3. She can speak French, can't she?
4. We should go now, shouldn't we?
5. You won't forget, will you?

Conclusion:

Question tags are an important aspect of English grammar and are used to seek confirmation, check information, and engage in conversation. By following the rules mentioned above, one can easily form and use question tags correctly in their speech and writing.