what is a tag question

What is a Tag

Question?

By: Lea D. Camacho

Learning Objectives:At the end of the discussion, the students are expected to:

–Identify what is a tag question;–Make an example of a tag

question; and–Create a dialogue using a tag

question

What is a Tag Question?

Tag Question• A structure added at the end

of a statement to turn it to a question

• Formed by two words, a VERB and

a PRONOUN

Rule No. 1• Verb in tag expression is the

same in tense and number as the verb in the statement.

Example:You do not have a pencil,

do you?

Rule No. 2• Note that when the statement

is affirmative, the tag question is negative.

Example:It rains in Manila, doesn’t it? Affirmative Negative

Rule No. 3• When the statement is

negative, the tag question is affirmative.

Example:They do not have books, do they? Negative Affirmative

Rule No. 4• The pronoun in the tag question

should agree with the subject of the statement in number and in gender.

Example: Lea knows her duty, doesn’t she? Feminine Feminine Singular Singular

Rule No. 5• The verb of the tag question should

agree with the verb of the statement in tense.

Example: Ana works here, doesn’t she? Present Present Tense Tense

Other Tips:• The tag question ends with a

pronoun.• A comma separates the tag

question from the statement.

Now.. Try This.Identify if this is a correct one:1.She works here yesterday, didn’t she?2.It rains in Manila, doesn’t it?3.Your parents know about this, do they?

References:• Mendoza,R.L.Essential English.Worktext

in English for Grade IV. (1st Edition) RBSI Sampaloc, Manila pp. 110-111