Question tags with be — englishillustrated.com

What Are Question Tags?

Question tags are short questions we add to the end of statements to ask for agreement or confirmation. In English, we use them in conversation very often. For example, "You are a student, aren't you?" The question tag here is "aren't you?" Question tags with the verb 'be' are very common and easy to learn.

The Basic Rule for 'Be' Question Tags

The rule is simple: if your statement is positive (affirmative), your question tag is negative. If your statement is negative, your question tag is positive. You must use the same form of 'be' (am, is, are, was, were) in both the statement and the question tag. The pronoun in the tag changes based on the subject: 'I' becomes 'you' in the tag, and 'you' becomes 'I' in the tag. All other pronouns stay the same.

Question Tag Formulas with 'Be'

Use a negative tag after a positive statement, and a positive tag after a negative statement.

Pattern 1: Positive Statement → Negative Tag

Subject + be (am / is / are / was / were) + Complement , be + n't + Pronoun ?

Positive Form	Negative Tag
am	aren't
is	isn't
are	aren't
was	wasn't
were	weren't

Example

She is a teacher, isn't she?

Pattern 2: Negative Statement → Positive Tag

Subject + be + not / n't + Complement , be + Pronoun ?

Negative Form	Positive Tag
am not	am
isn't	is
aren't	are
wasn't	was
weren't	were

Example

They weren't ready, were they?

Examples

You are Turkish, aren't you?

Everyday conversation · Positive statement + negative tag

It is a nice day, isn't it?

Small talk · Present tense 'be'

They were at home yesterday, weren't they?

Past reference · Past tense 'be'

I am not late, am I?

Negative statement + positive tag

The teacher isn't here, is she?

School context · Negative statement

We are students, aren't we?

Classroom · Group reference

When to use it

Confirming Information

Use question tags to check if what you think is true. You expect the other person to say 'yes' or 'no'.

"You are from Spain, aren't you?" The listener confirms: "Yes, I am."

Starting Conversations

Question tags help you start casual conversations with someone you know. They make your speech more friendly and natural.

"It's a beautiful day, isn't it?" (Small talk with a neighbor)

Asking for Agreement

Use question tags when you want to agree with someone or share an opinion. You expect agreement.

"This homework is difficult, isn't it?" (Classmate agrees with you)

Signal words

aren't I? aren't you? isn't he/she/it? aren't they? wasn't I? weren't you? wasn't he/she/it? weren't they? am I? are you? is he/she/it? are they? was I? were you? was he/she/it? were they?

Common Mistakes

Wrong

You are happy, are you?

✓

Correct

You are happy, aren't you?

Positive statement needs negative tag. The tag must be opposite.

Wrong

She is not a doctor, is not she?

✓

Correct

She is not a doctor, is she?

Negative statement needs positive tag. Don't use 'is not' in the tag.

Wrong

They are students, aren't they not?

✓

Correct

They are students, aren't they?

Never double the negation in the tag. Use only the negative form of 'be'.

Wrong

You are here, am I?

✓

Correct

You are here, aren't you?

The pronoun must match the subject of the statement. 'You' in statement becomes 'you' in tag.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

What to Remember

Question tags are short questions added to statements to ask for agreement or confirmation.
If the statement is positive, the question tag must be negative.
If the statement is negative, the question tag must be positive.
Always use the same form of 'be' in both the statement and question tag.
For example: "You are happy, aren't you?" or "She isn't late, is she?"

← Previous

Negative statement + positive tag

Question tags with modal verbs