SSC English QUESTION TAG: Definition, Fundamental Rules
Share
Question tags are a crucial part of English grammar, particularly for competitive examinations like those conducted by the SSC. Though more prevalent in spoken English, they frequently appear as direct questions in tests. Understanding question tags helps in both confirming information and engaging listeners effectively.
Also Read: SSC Exams Syllabus and Exam Pattern
Defining Question Tags
A question tag is a short question added to the end of a statement. Its primary purpose is to seek confirmation from the listener or to make a statement more engaging.
A question tag is formed using a Helping Verb + Subject, followed by a question mark. The helping verb and subject are derived directly from the main statement. These tags always follow a statement, never another question. (To understand confirmation, imagine suggesting a dish like "Let's make matar paneer today." A reply like, "Okay, we'll make it, will you eat it?" or simply, "Shall we?" acts similarly, confirming the listener's agreement or understanding.) Common English examples include isn't it?, don't you?, aren't you?, and haven't we?
The Fundamental Rule: Positive vs. Negative
The core principle for forming question tags operates on a "vice-versa" basis. This is a crucial rule to remember:
|
The Fundamental Rule: Positive vs. Negative |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Statement Type |
Question Tag Type |
Example |
|
Positive |
Negative |
She is coming, isn't she? |
|
Negative |
Positive |
He did not go, did he? |
A negative statement includes words like not, no, none, or other words conveying a negative sense. A positive tag is simply a non-negative one.
Using Contractions in Negative Tags
As question tags originate from spoken English, they consistently use the contracted (short) form for negative tags. For instance, you must use can't, not can not, and don't, not do not.
Common Contractions
|
Common Contractions |
|
|---|---|
|
Full Form |
Contracted Form |
|
Is not |
isn't |
|
Are not |
aren't |
|
Will not |
won't |
|
Shall not |
shan't |
|
Used to not |
didn't |
Core Rules for Forming Question Tags
The Subject Must Be a Pronoun: The subject of the question tag must never be a noun. It must always be the corresponding pronoun.
Example: "Gauri is coming from Delhi…" The subject is Gauri (noun). The pronoun for Gauri is she. The statement is positive. The correct tag is isn't she?
Example: "Manish is not coming…" The pronoun for Manish is he. The statement is negative. The correct tag is is he?
Special Case: The Tag for "I am": When the statement uses "I am" and is positive, the negative question tag is aren't I? The forms "am't I" or "amn't I" are grammatically incorrect and should not be used.
Example: "I am suitably dressed for the occasion, aren't I?"
Determining the Helping Verb:
If the statement already has a clear helping verb (e.g., is, are, has, will, can), use that verb in the tag.
If the statement only has a main verb (in Present Simple or Past Simple tense), you must infer the helping verb:
Verb 1st Form (V1) → use do
Verb 5th Form (V-s/es) → use does
Verb 2nd Form (V2) → use did
Question Tags for Specific Sentence Types
Imperative Sentences (Commands, Requests): In imperative sentences (e.g., "Open the door"), the subject 'you' is implied. The standard question tag for these is will you?. For positive imperative statements, both positive and negative tags can be acceptable in modern English, but for negative imperatives, only a positive tag is used.
Sentences with "Let's": For statements starting with Let's (meaning "Let us"), the question tag is always shall we?. This is because "Let's" is used to make a suggestion or proposal.
Example: "Let's go, shall we?"
Question Tags with Special Subjects
The pronoun used in the question tag depends on the subject of the statement.
|
Question Tags with Special Subjects |
||
|---|---|---|
|
If the Statement Subject is… |
The Question Tag Subject will be… |
Example |
|
There |
there |
There was no one in the room, was there? |
|
One (as a pronoun) |
one |
One must do one's duty, mustn't one? |
|
This / That |
it |
This is your book, isn't it? |
|
These / Those |
they |
Those are nice, aren't they? |
|
Somebody, Anybody, Everybody, Nobody, Everyone, No one |
they |
Nobody said a word, did they? |
|
Something, Anything, Everything, Nothing |
it |
Everything is fine, isn't it? |
IMPORTANT NOTE: If words like this, that, or one are used as adjectives before a noun (e.g., This boy), the tag's pronoun will be based on that specific noun (e.g., he for a boy, she for a girl).
Handling Words with Inherent Negative Meaning
Certain words inherently convey a negative meaning, even without explicitly using "not." When these words are present in a statement, the statement is considered negative, and it requires a positive question tag. These words include: hardly, scarcely, barely.
-
Example: "He hardly goes out…" (This implies he almost never goes out). The statement is negative. The verb goes is Present Simple, so the helping verb is does. The correct tag is does he?
-
Example: "The inscription is scarcely readable…" The statement is negative. The correct tag is is it?