Tag questions are bit tricky. The following are general rules and categories that I have laid out for better understanding. General rule Positive sentence, negative tag question. Negative sentence, positive tag question. 1. Auxiliary/modal verbs * Mike will make dinner, won't he? * They already had breakfast, hadn't they? * She must wait for the right moment, mustn't she? * We are attending the ceremony, aren't we? * He wasn't paying attention, was he? * We shouldn't wait outside this long, should we? * David doesn't speak a lot, does he? * The fish can't breathe, can it? 2. Do, does, did * Alvin thanked her, didn't he? * You know about this, don't you? * She plays well, doesn't she? * I didn't give you the ticket, did I? 3. Special case no.1 * I am great, aren't I? * I am energetic, aren't I? * I am looking at the place we designed, aren't I? 4. Special case no.2 Imperative sentences are sentences that give command or instruction. a. Help me with these, will you? Carry the groceries, will you? Get out of the way, will you? Just smile, will you? b. Let's leave, shall we? Let's go on with the program, shall we? Let's catch some fish, shall we? | Fact vs. Opinion 1. Fact-based sentences a. Lead is a heavy metal, isn't it? Lead isn't a heavy metal, is it? Fact: Lead is a heavy metal. Therefore, we answer: Yes it is. b. Canada is part of the USA, isn't it? Canada isn't part of the USA, is it? Fact: Canada is not part of the USA. Therefore, we answer: No, it isn't. 2. Opinion-based sentences a. This lesson was not easy, was it? This lesson was easy, wasn't it? Either of these can be answered: Yes, it was easy. or No, it wasn't easy. We may answer yes or no, depending on our opinion on the subject. The subject may ask whether we agree or not. Also, it can be a choice between doing it or not, etc. b. You liked it, didn't you? You didn't like it, did you? Either of these can be answered: Yes, I liked it. or No, I didn't like it. c. She will make it to the game later, won't she? She won't make it to the game later, will she? Yes, she will make it. or No, she won't make it. We answer these depending on the subject's circumstances. For example a, it depends on my evaluation if the lesson was easy or not. For example b, it depends on my taste if I liked it or not. Lastly, for example c, it depends on the person's decision or situation if she will make it or not. |