Question tags – advanced use

The question tag for I am is ‚aren’t I‚

I am here, aren’t I?

After a negative word, a positive question tag follows

You never go to the gym, do you?

It’s no good asking him for favours, is it?

Nobody came to the exhibition, did they?

They’ll never find out, will they?

Requests (negative statements + qt) to ask for help or information

You couldn’t lend me £5, could you?

You wouldn’t know the time, would you?

She couldn’t come home later, could she?

You haven’t seen my coat, have you?

After ‚Let’s‘ we use ‚shall we‘

Let’s go to the cinema tonight, shall we?

Let’s have a party, shall we?

Imperatives

Using ‚won’t you‘ is a polite way to ask others to do things (esp. in British English)

Close the door, won’t you?

Pass me a teapot, won’t you?

Using ‚will you‘, ‚can you‘, ‚would you‘ is to tell or ask people to do things

Shut up, will you?

Pass me a glass, can you?

Call me soon, would you?

Using ‚can’t‘ show impatience

Stop droning on about it, can’t you?

Get on with your jobs, can’t you?

Do what you’re told, can’t you?

After a negative imperative, we use ‚will you‘

Don’t call me before 10am, will you?

Never mention my ex-wife again, will you?

Don’t throw your clothes on the floor, will you?

There can be a subject in question tags

There were many people in the shops on Saturday, weren’t there?

There isn’t a problem with your annual leave, is there?

There are a few barbers in the city centre, aren’t there?

There was a glitch in the software, wasn’t there?

Using ‚it‘ after nothing and everything

Nothing seems to be going right today, does it?

Everything is in perfect order, isn’t it?

Using ‚they‘ after nobody, somebody and everybody

Nobody was interested in his pompous speech, were they?

Somebody asked him to shut up, didn’t they?

Everybody was relieved when he left the stage, weren’t they?

Same-way question tags

We use these with positive statements to show our interest, surprise, concern etc.

We also use these to confirm that our information is correct.

She thinks it’s OK not to respect her teachers, is she? ( a matter for concern)

He thinks he’s a very funny guy, is he? (but he is not)

You’re getting married next month, are you? (showing surprise after hearing the news)

He bought a new car last week, did he? (I think he did)

You are going to Prague for a long weekend, are you? (because I heard you talking about booking a ticket soon)

Structure ‚I’ll….., shall I?‘ is used to make offers

I’ll call you tomorrow, shall I?

I’ll get you your drink, shall I?