1. Tag Questions
ESL Lesson: Expanding Level (4)
Created by: Melissa C. Stanton

2. To develop an understanding of Tag Questions and how they are used in the English language.
Lets Get Started!
Our Goal Today is..
3. A tag question, sometimes called a question tag, is a small question that comes at the end of a sentence.
For Example: Its a beautiful day, isnt it?
With a partner, examine the sentence above.
What part contains the question tag?
CORRECT ANSWER: isnt it
What are TAG QUESTIONS ?
4. Notice above, I have used a question tag.
We use question tags for several reasons:
To check whether something is true.
Youre mad at me, arent you?
To ask the listener to agree with what we have said.
Its a hot day out, isnt it?
To continue a conversation.
If I say You're French", that may be the end of the conversation, because you don't have to say anything.
However, if I add a question tag and say, You're French, aren't you?", I'm asking a question and now you should answer, so the conversation keeps going:- You're French, aren't you?- Yes, I am.
Youre learning a lot already, arent you?
5. A positive statement is followed by a negative tag:
For Example: Youre English, arent you?
+ -
Youre English, arent you?
A negative statement is followed by a positive tag:
For Example:Youre not German, are you?
- +
You're not German,are you?
How are Tag Questions formed?
6. With a partner, look at the following sentences listed below:
Label the statement as positive or negative.
Label the question tag as positive or negative.
She is from England, isn't she?
They aren't very nice, are they?
She doesn't like it here, does she?
You can sing, can't you?
HINTS:
The statement always comes before the comma (She is nice, isnt she?)
The question tag always comes after the comma. (She is nice, isnt she?)
Partner Work
(is = positive, isnt = negative)
(arent = negative,are = positive)
(doesnt = negative,does = positive)
(can = positive,cant = negative)
7. Practice Makes Perfect!
Directions: Use the word bank below. Put the following question tags in to the correct gaps. Each question tag is used only once.
She didn't watch the film last night, ________
It is great to see each other again, __________
He does work at the grocery store, _________
You are married, __________
She wasnt in the movie, _________
You don't like blueberry muffins, ___________
She isn't much of a cook, ________
He hasn't lived here long, ________
You weren't invited to the party, __________

isnt it?

8. has he? 9. were you? 10. arent you? 11. doesnt he? 12. do you? 13. is she? 14. was she? 15. did she?