CBSE Class 8 English Grammar Question Tags

Question Tags

A special type of question is the tag that English speakers put at the end of many statements. The question tags are underlined in the following sentences:

• It's a lovely day today, isn't it?

• You live in Frankfurt, don't you?

• Miho can't speak German, can she?

• You haven't seen Mita, have you?

Tags Usage: A question tag is a question added at the end of a sentence. Speakers use question tags chiefly to make sure their information is correct or to seek argument. They consist of a statement and a tag. A negative tag is used with an affirmative statement whereas a positive tag is used with a negative statement.Tags are very common in spoken English, and have many functions. One of the common functions is to start a conversation or help keep it going.

The basic rules about tag questions are:

1. If the statement is negative, the tag must be positive. If the statement is positive the tag must be negative.

- You won't tell him my secret, will you?

- He doesn't speak German, does he?

- You're coming to my party, aren't you?

- She's really good at chess, isn't she?

2. The tense of the tag is determined by the tense of the auxiliary/modal verb of the statement that precedes it. If the statement does not use an auxiliary/modal (i.e. it is in the present or past simple tense), then the auxiliary ‘do’ must be used.

- She comes from Korea, doesn't she?

- You like heavy metal music, don't you?

3. If the statement has a modal, it is repeated in the tag.

Kara can go herself, can’t she?

You should get up early, shouldn't you?

Question. Laurie can come by tomorrow, .......?
(a) can she
(b) can't she
(c) is she
Answer. B

Question. She's from Korea, .......?
(a) is she
(b) isn't she
(c) could she
Answer. B

Question. He's meeting me at 10 am, .......?
(a) isn't he
(b) could he
(c) is he
Answer. A

Question. Kathy's never impolite, .......?
(a) isn't she
(b) is she
(c) shouldn't she
Answer. B

Question. The children don't have to come in right now, .......?
(a) don't they
(b) do they
(c) doesn't it
Answer. B

Question. You still want to meet with him, .......?
(a) do you
(b) does you
(c) don't you
Answer. C

Question. There aren't many guests here yet, .......?
(a) are they
(b) aren't there
(c) are there
Answer. C

Question. We can't ask her again, .......?
(a) can't we
(b) could they
(c) can we
Answer. C

Question. The checks haven't been sent, .......?
(a) do they
(b) have they
(c) haven't they
Answer. B

Question. We didn't receive many calls this month, .......?
(a) didn't we
(b) should we
(c) did we
Answer. C

EXERCISE-1

Fill in the blanks with appropriate question tags.

1. Monika is an Indian, ______ ?

2. Let’s go for a walk, ______ ?

3. My brother didn’t call, ______ ?                                                                            

4. Sonia and Anya  watched the  movie, ______ ?                                                    

5. You won't forget me, ______ ?

6. We have met after a long time, ______ ?

7. Priya loves chocolates, ______ ?

8. Snow falls in winter, ______ ?

9. Let’s practise for the match, ________?

10. The bus has broken down again, ______ ?

11. I didn’t leave my car keys on your table , ______ ?

12. You  aren’t feeling well, ______ ?

13. The house was haunted, ______ ?

14. You will come to Jane’s farewell party, ______ ?

15. Farhan hasn't completed his project, ______ ?

16. The five men eyed suspiciously, ______________?

17. It’s the only thing that can save the city, ____________?

18. Cricket has taught me to tackle problems as they come, ___________?

19. You must all be very proud, ____________?

20. Sounds incredible, _____________? 

EXERCISE-2

Fill in the blanks with appropriate question tags.

1. Mohit is in your class, ______ ?
2. You shouldn’t tell lies, ______ ?
3. Let’s order pizza,________?
4. We can’t go home early, ______ ?
5. I'm not late for the meeting, ______ ?
6. Tomorrow is a holiday, ______ ?
7. Mr. Peter goes trekking every year, ______ ?
8. The authorities will see to the problem, ______ ?
9. Your uncle doesn't like loud music, ______ ?
10. The news vendor hasn't come yet, ______ ?
11. Let’s call the doctor,________?
12. Varun hasn’t reached home,_____________?
13. It’s very hot today,_____________?
14. Gia is your sister,____________?
15. Let’s go for a swim,_______________?
16. There’s no sense in wasting one’s money, __________?