Question Tag Rules - Check Question Tag Rules Examples, PDF

Question Tags

Before we delve deeper into the Question Tags Rules, it is important to have a clear understanding of what they are. In order to facilitate this, we have provided a definition of question tags below.

What is Question Tag?

Tag questions (also known as question tags) convert a statement into a question. They are frequently employed to verify information that we believe to be correct.

Tag questions are formed by combining an auxiliary verb (such as be or have) and a subject pronoun (for example I, you, she). Negative question tags are often contracted as follows: Isn't it warm today (not 'isn't it)?

If the main clause is positive, the question tag is usually negative, and if the main clause is negative, the question tag is positive.

Question Tags Examples

Question tags are short questions that are added at the end of a sentence to confirm or clarify a statement. They can be categorized into two main types: affirmative and negative, each with its own unique usage and style. Check out the Question Tags Examples below.

1. Affirmative question tags

• You don't like coffee, do you?
• Shubham is intelligent, isn’t he?

2. Negative question tags

• Edward broke the glass, didn’t he?
• You like coffee, don't you?

Question Tags Rules

Question tags are a crucial part of the English language sentence structure and hold great importance in competitive exams. It is a question added to the end of a sentence to confirm or clarify something. For example, "You are coming to the party, aren't you?" In this sentence, "aren't you" is the question tag. It is important to understand and practice question tags as they are frequently asked in English sections of competitive exams. Being able to use question tags correctly can improve candidates' scores exponentially.

In this blog, we have compiled all the important rules with their examples to help you with your preparation.

Weightage of Question Tag in SSC CGL

"Question tag rules" is an important topic in the SSC CGL syllabus. In the SSC CGL exam, around 1 to 2 questions are asked in SSC CGL Tier 1 exam based on the question tag. In SSC CGL Tier 2, question weightage increases to 4 to 5 questions. SSC question tag rules may be easy for some of you while difficult for others. So, let us make it easy for all of you through these rules of question tag in English grammar which will make these questions very easy for you to answer. There are some rules from where questions are pretty frequently asked.

Question Tags Rules with Examples

Question tags can often seem confusing and difficult to master, but with the right understanding of the rules and some practice, one can easily attempt them. Take a look at the Question Tags Rules below.

Rule-1: Some words are negative in meaning. E.g. hardly, seldom, scarcely, rarely, barely, etc. Hence they will take positive question tags after them.

• He hardly does any work, does he?
• He found barely anything to eat, did he?
• He is seldom absent, is he?

Rule-2: If a sentence starts with "There", the question tag will have "there" in the place of pronoun.

• There is no water, is there?
• There were no good schools in the town, were there?

Rule-3: The question tag is always made by the main part of the sentence.

• I think, he is right, isn't he? (Here 'I think' is not important and hence it is not the main part of the sentence".

Rule- 4: There is no contracted form of 'am not' but 'aren't' is used in the question tag.

• I am fine, aren't I?

Rule-5: Each, every, everyone, everybody, no one, nobody, none are singular and hence will take singular verb/ singular pronoun/ singular adjective with them but their question tag will take plural verb and plural pronoun.

• Everyone has come, hasn't he (Incorrect)
• Everyone has come, haven't they (correct)
• None of your friends like her, do they
• Everyone can speak English, can't they?

Check out: Synonyms & Antonyms Vocabulary PDF for SSC Exams

Rule-6: If the sentence starts with "let us/ let's ", " shall we" is used in the question.

• Let us go to a party tonight, shall we?

Rule-7: In Imperative sentences, the question tag 'won't you' is used.

• Come in, won't you?

Rule-8: Collective noun takes a singular verb and singular pronoun in the question tag.

• The jury has taken its decision, hasn't it?

Rule-9: If we talk about the individual members of the collective noun or if there is a difference in opinion among the members of the collective noun, plural verb and plural pronouns are used.

• The comm. are divided in their opinion, aren't they?
• The audience has taken their seats, haven't they?

Rule-10: If in an imperative sentence, somebody is being offered anything, or if someone is being asked to do something, "will you/ would you" is used in the question tag.

• Open the door, would you?
• Have some more tea, would you?

Points To Remember for Question Tags

It is of utmost importance to remember the question tags rules to attempt the maximum number of questions accurately. Additionally, one should consider some additional points when formulating question tag examples. The following factors should be kept in mind while attempting question tags.

1. The sentence and the question tag must be in the same tense.
2. For the negative question tag, use the Contracted form of 'helping verb' and 'not'. E.g. didn't, hadn't, won't, etc.
3. If the Sentence is positive, the question tag must be negative and vice versa.
4. Always use pronouns in the question tag.

Also Check:

• Best Books for SSC CGL 2023
• How to solve Cloze Test questions

Question Tag PDF

Practising question tag questions for SSC Exams will help students build their understanding of the concepts and improve their speed and accuracy. We have already explained to you the rules of the question tag for the SSC CGL exam above in detail. You can download the Question Tag PDF from the direct link provided below.

> Question Tag PDF (To be activated)