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Question tags (also called tag questions) are short questions added to the end of a statement to confirm information or seek agreement. Phrases like "isn't it?", "don't you?", and "can't she?" are all question tags. They are extremely common in spoken English and add a conversational, interactive quality to communication. This guide covers all the rules for forming question tags correctly, including special cases and exceptions.
Table of Contents
What Are Question Tags?
A question tag is a mini-question attached to the end of a statement. It consists of an auxiliary verb (or "be") and a pronoun. Question tags are used to check information, ask for confirmation, or invite someone to agree with you.
It's a nice day, isn't it?
You like coffee, don't you?
She can swim, can't she?
The Basic Rule: Positive ↔ Negative
The fundamental rule of question tags is simple: if the main statement is positive, the tag is negative. If the main statement is negative, the tag is positive.
| Statement | Tag |
|---|---|
| Positive statement | Negative tag |
| Negative statement | Positive tag |
You are coming, aren't you? (positive → negative)
She doesn't like fish, does she? (negative → positive)
They have finished, haven't they? (positive → negative)
He won't be late, will he? (negative → positive)
Question Tags with "Be"
When the main verb is "be," use the same form of "be" in the tag.
She is a teacher, isn't she?
They are ready, aren't they?
It was cold yesterday, wasn't it?
You were at the party, weren't you?
I'm late, aren't I? (special case for "I am")
Special Case: The tag for "I am" is aren't I? (not "amn't I"). This is the standard form in modern English: "I'm right, aren't I?"
Question Tags with Auxiliary Verbs
When the statement contains an auxiliary verb (have, will, can, could, should, would, might, must), use the same auxiliary in the tag.
She can drive, can't she?
They have left, haven't they?
He will come, won't he?
You should apologize, shouldn't you?
We could try again, couldn't we?
She would like it, wouldn't she?
You must be tired, mustn't you?
Question Tags with "Do/Does/Did"
When the statement has no auxiliary verb (present simple or past simple with a main verb), use do/does/did in the tag.
You like chocolate, don't you?
She works here, doesn't she?
They went home, didn't they?
He plays tennis, doesn't he?
You saw the movie, didn't you?
Question Tags for Negative Statements
When the main statement is negative, the question tag is positive (without "not").
She isn't coming, is she?
You don't smoke, do you?
They haven't arrived, have they?
He can't swim, can he?
We shouldn't worry, should we?
Special Cases and Exceptions
"I am" → "aren't I?"
I'm invited, aren't I?
Imperatives
Open the window, will you? / would you? / can you?
Don't forget, will you?
Let's go, shall we?
Negative Words (never, hardly, rarely, seldom, barely, no, nothing, nobody)
These words make the statement negative, so the tag is positive.
He never complains, does he?
She hardly ever calls, does she?
There's nothing wrong, is there?
Nobody came, did they?
"There is/are"
There is a problem, isn't there?
There are many options, aren't there?
Indefinite Pronouns as Subjects
When the subject is everybody, everyone, somebody, someone, nobody, or no one, use they in the tag.
Everyone is here, aren't they?
Somebody left their bag, didn't they?
Nobody called, did they?
"This/That" → "it" in the Tag
This is delicious, isn't it?
That was amazing, wasn't it?
Intonation and Meaning
The intonation of a question tag changes its meaning:
Falling Intonation (↘) — Expecting Agreement
When you use falling intonation on the tag, you are not really asking a question—you expect the listener to agree with you.
It's a lovely day, isn't it? ↘ (I expect you to agree)
You enjoyed the movie, didn't you? ↘ (I'm pretty sure you did)
Rising Intonation (↗) — Genuine Question
When you use rising intonation, you are genuinely asking for information because you are not sure of the answer.
You've met Tom before, have you? ↗ (I'm not sure)
She lives nearby, doesn't she? ↗ (I'm asking because I don't know)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake 1: Same Polarity
❌ She is nice, is she? (both positive — incorrect for standard tags)
✅ She is nice, isn't she?
Mistake 2: Wrong Auxiliary
❌ She likes tea, isn't she? → ✅ She likes tea, doesn't she?
Mistake 3: Wrong Pronoun
❌ Tom is coming, isn't Tom? → ✅ Tom is coming, isn't he?
Mistake 4: "I am" Tag
❌ I'm right, amn't I? → ✅ I'm right, aren't I?
Practice Exercises
Add the correct question tag.
1. She is a doctor, _______?
Answer: isn't she
2. You don't like spiders, _______?
Answer: do you
3. They have been to Paris, _______?
Answer: haven't they
4. He can't drive, _______?
Answer: can he
5. We should leave now, _______?
Answer: shouldn't we
6. She never arrives on time, _______?
Answer: does she
7. Let's go to the beach, _______?
Answer: shall we
8. I'm next, _______?
Answer: aren't I
Question tags are a hallmark of natural, fluent English. They make your speech more interactive, conversational, and engaging. By mastering the positive-negative pattern, learning the special cases, and understanding how intonation affects meaning, you will use question tags confidently in any conversation.
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