What are Question Tags?
A question tag is a short question we add to the end of a statement. We use it to ask for agreement or confirmation. Question tags are very common in spoken English. The tag repeats the auxiliary verb (or 'be') from the main sentence, but changes the positive or negative form.
Negative Statement + Positive Tag
When the main statement is negative, the question tag is positive. This is the opposite form. We use this pattern to confirm something we believe is true. The negative statement shows our expectation, and the positive tag invites the listener to agree. For example: "You don't like coffee, do you?" Here, we expect the answer is yes (the person doesn't like coffee).
How to Form the Tag
To form the positive tag after a negative statement: 1) Take the auxiliary verb (do, does, did, is, are, was, were, have, has, can, will, etc.) from the main sentence. 2) Change it to positive (remove the 'not'). 3) Add the correct subject pronoun (he, she, it, they, etc.). The tag is written with a question mark and usually separated by a comma.
Negative Statement vs. Positive Tag: Side-by-Side
| Category | Simple Present (do / does) |
Simple Past (did) |
Present Continuous (is / am / are) |
Present Perfect (have / has) |
Modal Verbs (can / will / would etc.) |
To Be (Present) (is / am / are) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statement Form | Subject + don't / doesn't + base verb | Subject + didn't + base verb | Subject + isn't / aren't / am not + verb-ing | Subject + haven't / hasn't + past participle | Subject + can't / won't / wouldn't etc. + base verb | Subject + isn't / aren't / am not + complement |
| Tag Form | do / does + subject pronoun + ? | did + subject pronoun + ? | is / am / are + subject pronoun + ? | have / has + subject pronoun + ? | Positive modal + subject pronoun + ? | is / am / are + subject pronoun + ? |
| Negative Statement Example | She doesn't like coffee. | They didn't call us. | He isn't working today. | You haven't finished yet. | She can't drive a car. | They aren't ready. |
| Positive Tag Added | She doesn't like coffee, does she? | They didn't call us, did they? | He isn't working today, is he? | You haven't finished yet, have you? | She can't drive a car, can she? | They aren't ready, are they? |
| Auxiliary Verb Shift | doesn't → does (negative to positive) | didn't → did (negative to positive) | isn't → is (negative to positive) | haven't → have (negative to positive) | can't → can (negative to positive) | aren't → are (negative to positive) |
| Subject Pronoun in Tag | She → she Noun replaced by pronoun |
They → they Pronoun stays the same |
He → he Pronoun stays the same |
You → you Pronoun stays the same |
She → she Noun replaced by pronoun |
They → they Pronoun stays the same |
| Special Note / Watch Out | Use does for he/she/it; use do for I/you/we/they. | Did is used for all subjects — no change for person or number. | Am not in a statement → tag uses are: "I'm not late, am I?" | Use has for he/she/it; use have for I/you/we/they. | Won't → will; wouldn't → would; shouldn't → should, etc. | Match is/am/are to the original subject in the statement. |
| Tone & Expectation | Rising tone = genuine question; falling tone = seeking confirmation. | Rising tone = genuine question; falling tone = seeking confirmation. | Rising tone = genuine question; falling tone = seeking confirmation. | Rising tone = genuine question; falling tone = seeking confirmation. | Rising tone = genuine question; falling tone = seeking confirmation. | Rising tone = genuine question; falling tone = seeking confirmation. |
| Key Signal Words | never, rarely, hardly, seldom, not | never, not, ago, yesterday, last | right now, currently, at the moment, not | yet, ever, never, just, already, not | can't, won't, wouldn't, shouldn't, mustn't | not, never (with to be in present) |
|
🔑 Key Difference — The Core Rule of Negative Statement + Positive Tag: When a statement is negative (contains don't, doesn't, didn't, isn't, can't, haven't, etc.), the question tag must be positive — the auxiliary verb flips from negative to its positive form, and the full noun subject is replaced by its subject pronoun. This is the direct opposite of a positive statement, which takes a negative tag. The rule applies consistently across all tenses and modal verbs: the tag always mirrors the auxiliary used in the statement (in its positive form) and echoes the subject as a pronoun. The purpose of such tags is to invite agreement, seek confirmation, or check an assumption — with rising intonation signalling a real question and falling intonation expressing expectation of agreement. |
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Formula
Formula
Negative statement
+
,
+
positive auxiliary
+
subject pronoun
+
?
She doesn't like swimming, does she?
Examples
You didn't finish your homework, did you?
Past simple · Asking for confirmation
They aren't coming to the party, are they?
Present continuous · Expecting negative answer
She doesn't speak German, does she?
Present simple · Confirming information
He hasn't finished work yet, has he?
Present perfect · Checking a fact
Your brother won't arrive today, will he?
Future simple · Seeking agreement
We can't use our phones in class, can we?
Present ability · Confirming a rule
When to use it
Seeking Confirmation
Use negative + positive tags when you believe something is true and want the other person to agree with you.
"You don't like spicy food, do you?"
Checking Information
Use this pattern when you want to verify information you think you know about someone or something.
"She wasn't at school yesterday, was she?"
Natural Conversation
Question tags make conversation more natural and friendly in everyday English. They show you're interested in the other person's opinion.
"You can't swim, can you?"
Signal words
don't / doesn't / didn't
isn't / aren't / wasn't / weren't
haven't / hasn't
can't
won't
wouldn't
shouldn't
couldn't
Common Mistakes
✕
Wrong
She doesn't like pizza, doesn't she?
✓
Correct
She doesn't like pizza, does she?
After a negative statement, the tag must be positive. Use 'does' not 'doesn't'.
✕
Wrong
They aren't here, aren't they?
✓
Correct
They aren't here, are they?
The tag changes from negative to positive. Use 'are' not 'aren't'.
✕
Wrong
You didn't call me, didn't you?
✓
Correct
You didn't call me, did you?
Always use the positive form in the tag when the statement is negative.
✕
Wrong
She hasn't seen this film, hasn't she?
✓
Correct
She hasn't seen this film, has she?
Change 'hasn't' to 'has' in the tag. The tag is always the opposite form.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
What to Remember
- When the main statement is negative, the question tag is always positive.
- The tag repeats the auxiliary verb or 'be' from the main sentence.
- Use negative statement + positive tag to confirm something you believe is true.
- The tag changes form to be opposite to the main statement's form.
- Question tags ask for agreement or confirmation in spoken English conversations.