英语入门对话：61 Tag Questions

Tag questions are used when seeking confirmation¹ of what one believes to be true. They restate, in question form, the previously² spoken sentence. For example,

He is an engineer. Isn't he?
(Positive statement, negative tag)
They're not from Colorado. Are they?
(Negative statement, positive tag)
Zack is really tired. Isn't he?
(Positive statement, negative tag)
She is going to Taiwan, isn't she?
 (Positive statement, negative tag)
You have never been to Las Vegas. Have you?
(Negative statement, positive tag)
The Rays are playing the Jays. Aren't they?
(Positive statement, negative tag)
You went to the supermarket. Didn't you?
(Positive statement, negative tag)
Zane doesn't live in Missouri. Does he?
(Negative statement, positive tag)
Ms. Zeller has a new car. Doesn't she?
Ms. Zeller has a new car. Doesn't she?

In tag questions, the corresponding pronoun and the first verb of the corresponding yes/no question are used. Also, notice that with positive statements, negative tag questions are used and vice³ versa. See also: Grammar: Yes/No Questions

Common mistakes:
You are the zookeeper. Yes (Incorrect)
You're the zookeeper. Aren't you? (Correct)

You come from Canada. No? (Incorrect)
You come from Canada. Don't you? (Correct)

You're the boss. Are you? (Incorrect-in most situations)
You're the boss. Are you? (Incorrect)

Simon is from Singapore. Isn't it? (Incorrect)
Simon is from Singapore. Isn't he? (Incorrect)

Some modals can be used in tag questions: can, will, would, could, should and must.

Mr. James will be at the ceremony. Won't he?
They couldn't do it. Could they?

Note: When the subject is "I" and the statement is in present tense, aren't is commonly used for tag questions.

I'm the winner. Aren't I?(Common usage)
I'm the winner. Am I not?(Formal)

 

1 confirmation   

n.证实，确认，批准

参考例句：

• We are waiting for confirmation of the news.我们正在等待证实那个消息。
• We need confirmation in writing before we can send your order out.给你们发送订购的货物之前，我们需要书面确认。

2 previously   

adv.以前，先前（地）

参考例句：

• The bicycle tyre blew out at a previously damaged point.自行车胎在以前损坏过的地方又爆开了。
• Let me digress for a moment and explain what had happened previously.让我岔开一会儿，解释原先发生了什么。

3 vice   

n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的

参考例句：

• He guarded himself against vice.他避免染上坏习惯。
• They are sunk in the depth of vice.他们堕入了罪恶的深渊。