Questions

indirect questions

• Questions can be introduced by statements. In this case we do not use inverted word order for a question, or auxiliary words, or a question mark.

• These questions are generally called indirect or embedded questions.

I was wondering when the train leaves.

I'd like to know what her name is.

It's not clear what I write here.

I'm not sure who I'm talking to.

• Questions can be introduced by other direct questions in the same way. In this case there is a question mark.

Do you know when the train leaves?

Could I ask you what her name is?

Would you mind telling me what I should write here?

tag questions

• positive verb, negative tag

• When we use a positive verb and a negative tag, we generally expect a yes answer.

You like horror films,….

don't you?

Yes, I do.

• negative verb, positive tag

• When we use a negative verb and a positive tag, we generally expect a no answer.

You haven't got a pen,….

have you?

No, I haven't.

• positive verb, positive tag

• When we use a positive verb and a positive tag, we are showing surprise.

So you're a student,….

are you? (You don't look like one!)

intonation and meaning

• The meaning of the question depends on the intonation we use.

• When the intonation falls or is level, we are checking information we already know.

A. You like horror films, don't you?

B. Yes, of course I do!

A. You're not in tomorrow, are you?

B. No

• When the intonation rises, we are asking a question.

You are a student, aren't you?

(I'm not sure about this)

You're not Helen, are you?

(I'm surprised)

You haven't broken the window, have you?

(I hope not!)

negative questions We use a negative question when:

• we assume someone will agree.

Don't you feel tired?

• we are annoyed with someone.

Can't you stop talking!

• we are surprised, or don't believe something.

Don't you remember me?

• we want to get the answer we want.

Wasn't it you who stole the money?

echo questions

• Echo questions are commonly used in informal conversation to show interest or other feelings e.g. surprise, disbelief.

A: I've got a new job.

B: Have you? Congratulations! That's wonderful!

• Echo questions are made in response to statements. Normally a positive question echoes a positive statement, and a negative question echoes a negative statement.

A. I don't know the answer.

B. Don't you? It's a very easy problem!

A. There isn't any milk left.

B. Isn't there? Are you looking in the right place?

A. I really like her new novel.

B. Do you? I found it rather heavy going.

echo tags • When we agree with what the speaker says or are

surprised by it we can echo the statement and add a tag.

• Echoing positive with positive with a negative tag, or negative with negative with a positive tag, suggests agreement. The intonation is level or falling.

A. It's really cold today.

B. It is, isn't it? (agreement)

A. I'm not a very good golfer.

B. You aren’t, are you? (agreement)

• Echoing positive with negative with a positive tag, or negative with positive with a negative tag, suggests disbelief. The intonation is rising.

A. I've just seen David Bowie!

B. You haven't, have you? (disbelief)

A. I don't like ice-cream.

B. You do, don 't you? (disbelief)

... do you think ...

• In everyday speech when we ask someone's opinion it is common to put do you think / believe /suppose etc between a wh-question and the verb.

What do you think the others are doing now?

What do you believe we should do?

ellipsis

• In every day speech, questions are often shortened by using the verb stem only.

Like my new flat?

Want a drink?

Had a good time?

end prepositions

• When we make questions with verb + preposition, the preposition generally goes at the end of the sentence, unless the preposition is part of a phrase e.g. in what sense.

What are we waiting for?

Who am I talking to?

In what sense is Jane Eyre a feminist novel?

• With whom, used in formal speech and writing, the preposition comes first.

With whom do we work?

Complete the text with one word in each gap. Contracted forms (e.g.

isn't) count as one word. It’s easy to suppose that we all feel the same way about global warming.

After all, everybody wants to save the world, a __they? We all want to make a contribution, however small, and we all do our best. You aren't one of those people who wastes water b __ you? Of course not! And I'm sure you've got low-energy light bulbs in your house, c __ you? You bet! Not everyone is so enthusiastic, of course. Some people wonder d __ they can do to help, and don't really know what to do. Until they find out by paying attention to what the world's scientists are saying. At least, we all hope this is true, e __ we? Still, there are quite a lot of people who just hope that the problem will go away. Why do they do this, we might ask. f __ they want to make a difference? Their usual response is 'We don’t really know whether the climate is changing’. g __we? Well of course we do. There is plenty of evidence of climate change isn’t h __? We know that we are wasting energy and polluting the planet, don't __ ? It’s all quite simple really. And if you do know anyone who is still uncertain about whether to save the world or not, your message to them should be clear. What are you waiting j __? lf you think this is just somebody else's problem it will very soon be your problem as well. Believe it.

answers a don't

b are

c haven't

d what

e don't

f Don't

g Don't

h there

i we

j for