Question tags

Question tags (or tag questions) turn a statement into a question. We usually use them for checking information that we think we know is true or for asking for confirmation that we have heard something correctly (e.g. You did just say the Earth is flat, didn’t you?)

Useful rules

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

You are happy (positive), aren’t you (negative)?
You aren’t happy (negative), are you (positive)?

If the main clause has an auxiliary verb, you use the same verb in the question tag. When there is no auxiliary verb (in the present simple and past simple) use do / does / did (just like when you make a normal question).

You have read today’s newspaper, haven’t you?
She is going to see them, isn’t she?

EXCEPTION

There is one notable exception to the rules.
After I am you use aren't I in the question tag.

I'm the oldest here, aren't I?
I'm waiting for Irene, aren't I?

Verb tenses and question tags

Simple present ‘to be’

Mike is an accountant, isn’t he?

Simple present other verbs

You speak Russian, don’t you?

Present continuous

Lavinia is studying in Cambridge, isn’t she?

Simple past ‘to be’

Last summer was really hot, wasn’t it?

Simple past other verbs

Dianna talked to Fiona yesterday, didn’t she?

Past continuous

They were living in Amsterdam, weren’t they?

Present perfect

You’ve visited Spain, haven’t you?

Present perfect continuous

You’ve been learning about Ancient Rome recently, haven’t you?

Past perfect

William had left his keys at home, hadn’t he?

Past perfect continuous

Mary and Clive had been shopping, hadn’t they?

Simple future (with ‘will’)

Your parents will come next week, won’t they?

Future continuous

They’ll be finishing school soon, won’t they?

Future perfect

Pete will have finished before tonight, won’t he?

Future perfect continuous

Agnes will have been teaching all day, won’t she?

Modals

Sonia can swim, can’t she?
He must apologise, mustn’t he?