Tag questions are small questions added at the end of a sentence. They may be short, but they play a big role in English conversation. Native speakers use tag questions all the time to check information, show surprise, or keep the conversation friendly. For English learners, mastering tag questions can make your speech sound more natural and confident.

In this guide, we will explain what tag questions are, how they work, the rules you need to know, and give examples you can start using today. 

What Are Tag Questions?

A tag question is a short question added at the end of a statement. It turns a normal sentence into a question.

For example:

• You are a student, aren’t you?
• She can swim, can’t she?
  

We use tag questions to:

• Confirm information
• Check if something is true
• Keep a conversation going
• Sound polite and friendly
  

Tag questions help speakers connect more naturally.

Basic Structure of Tag Questions

Tag questions follow a clear pattern:

Statement, short question (tag)

The short question uses an auxiliary verb (a verb used to form the tenses, moods, and voices of other verbs) and a pronoun.

The key structure is:

1. Positive statement → Negative tag

• You like coffee, don’t you?
• She is coming, isn’t she?
  

2. Negative statement → Positive tag

• You don’t eat meat, do you?
• He isn’t tired, is he?
  

This “opposite balance” is the basic rule for tag questions.

Rules for Tag Questions

Let’s break down the rules step by step using simple explanations.

Rule 1: Match the Verb

The verb in the tag must match the verb in the sentence.

• You are busy, aren’t you?
• They can dance, can’t they?
• She has finished, hasn’t she?

Look at the main verb or helping verb in the sentence, then use it again in the tag.

Rule 2: Use the Same Subject

The subject in the tag must be a pronoun.

• Anna is from Japan, isn’t she?
• Your parents traveled today, didn’t they?

Even if the subject is long, the tag uses only a pronoun.

Rule 3: Positive → Negative / Negative → Positive

Tag questions always use the opposite form:

• Positive sentence → Negative tag
• Negative sentence → Positive tag

This helps you confirm information politely.

Examples:

• You enjoyed the trip, didn’t you?
• She didn’t call you, did she?

Rule 4: For “I am,” the Tag Is “aren’t I?”

Yes, English is funny here! There is always an exception!

• I’m your friend, aren’t I?
• I’m late, aren’t I?

Rule 5: For Imperatives, Use “will you?”

When giving instructions or requests, tag questions sound polite.

• Open the window, will you?
• Pass me the pen, will you?
  

Rule 6: Use “won’t you?” to Invite Someone

This makes invitations sound friendly.

• Sit down, won’t you?
• Come in, won’t you?
  

Common Tag Questions for Beginners

Here are easy, everyday examples of tag questions you can start using now.

Using “do” and “don’t”

• You like music, don’t you?
• They live nearby, don’t they?
• You don’t understand, do you?
  

Using “is” and “isn’t”

• She is your sister, isn’t she?
• It is cold today, isn’t it?
• This isn’t your bag, is it?
  

Using “are” and “aren’t”

• They are students, aren’t they?
• You are tired, aren’t you?
• You aren’t ready, are you?
  

Using “was” and “wasn’t”

• He was here yesterday, wasn’t he?
• The movie was good, wasn’t it?
• She wasn’t at home, was she?
  

Using “have” and “haven’t”

• You have finished, haven’t you?
• They have seen it, haven’t they?
• You haven’t met him, have you?
  

Using modal verbs

Can / can’t

• You can drive, can’t you?
• She can’t swim, can she?
  

Will / won’t

• You will join us, won’t you?
• He won’t be late, will he?
  

Should / shouldn’t

• We should start now, shouldn’t we?
• You shouldn’t worry, should you?
  

When to Use Tag Questions in Real Conversations

Tag questions appear everywhere – in casual talk, in movies, and even in polite conversations.

Here are common situations where tag questions sound natural.

1. To Confirm Information

• You’re from Thailand, aren’t you?
• He studied abroad, didn’t he?
  

2. To Show Interest

• You work in marketing, don’t you?
• You love cooking, don’t you?
  

3. To Keep a Conversation Going

Tag questions encourage the listener to respond.

• It’s a nice day, isn’t it?
• That’s your new phone, isn’t it?
  

4. To Make Polite Requests

• Close the door, will you?
  

5. To Invite Someone

• Have some tea, won’t you?
  

Tricky Tag Questions Learners Often Get Wrong

Do not worry – these mistakes are common!

Focus on the auxiliary verb, and you will get tag questions right every time.

Let’s Practice

Try completing the tags:

1. You like English, _________?
   
2. She isn’t angry, _________?
   
3. They can help, _________?
   
4. He was late, _________?
   
5. I’m early, _________?
   

(Answers: don’t you? / is she? / can’t they? / wasn’t he? / aren’t I?)

Let ELSA Speak Help You!

Learning tag questions is a great way to make your English sound more natural and fluent. Once you understand the rules and common structures, you can use tag questions in everyday conversations with confidence.

But knowing the rules is not enough! You need to hear them and say them often.

This is where ELSA Speak becomes incredibly useful:

• You can practice tag questions aloud
• ELSA gives instant feedback on pronunciation
• You learn where to place stress and intonation
• You sound more natural and confident
• New lessons help you stay updated with English trends
  

Whether you are learning tag questions or improving your speaking skills in general, ELSA Speak is a perfect companion to help you grow your English every day.