4.15 'tag'-questions

You can ask for confirmation that something is true by making a statement in the declarative mood, then adding an expression such as 'isn't it?' or 'was she?'. Constructions like these are called 'tag'-questions.

You add a negative expression such as 'isn't it?' to a positive statement, and a positive expression such as 'was she?' to a negative statement.

When you add a negative expression to a positive statement, you expect the answer 'yes'. When you add a positive expression to a negative statement, you expect the answer 'no'.

• 'David's is quite a nice school, isn't it?' --- 'Yes, it is.'
• 'You don't always remember them, do you?' --- 'No.'
• 'You are going to do this, aren't you?' --- 'Yes.'
• 'We don't want these tables here like this, do we?' --- 'No, Dr Kirk.'

'Tag'-questions are explained in detail in paragraphs 10.122 to 10.130.

Positive expressions such as 'are you?' can also be added to positive statements. This use is explained in paragraph 4.40.