Arsenio’s ESL Podcast: Season 3 – Episode 22 – Grammar – Tag Questions

This is officially the first time I’ve gone over tag questions.  Although I don’t use them often, it’s still a useful technique to not only keep the conversation going, but to also get a response.

Tag questions are added to the end of a statement to turn it into a question.  They’re used when the speaker expects the listener to agree.

A negative statement has a positive tag.

The new mall near Chatuchak park doesn’t make much sense, does it?

A positive statement has a negative tag.

This condo is as big as the old condo, isn’t it?

 

The tag has the same tense as the statement.  The verb tense helps you determine what word to use in the tag. 

Present simple / no auxiliary                     do/does                    Your parents live in the city, don’t they?

To be in the simple tense                repeat the main verb               There is an open office plan, isn’t it?

To have as the main verb                 do/does or has/have          He has an office, doesn’t he?

Present continuous                                          are/is                   He is living in the city, isn’t he?

Present Perfect                                               has/have                 He has moved to the suburbs, hasn’t he?

 

Task – Find the mistake in each sentence and correct it.

1. I prefer having my own condominium, do I? (answer: don’t I?)
2. My boss has his own office in Pinklao, isn’t he?
3. You live in the suburbs and work in the city, aren’t you?
4. You don’t want to live outside the city, doesn’t you?
5. Your brother is working at a new company, doesn’t he?

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