======Question tags and short answers====== ==========

meeting plan architect blueprints reunion  She's an architect, isn't she?

=====Definition=====  In conversation, we use question tags at the end of a sentence when we think we know the answer but we want confirmation.


=====Construction=====

Affirmative sentence + negative tag:  You're Tony, aren't you?

Negative sentence + affirmative tag:  He isn't a pharmacist, is he?

 

I'm ......, aren't I?                          

You're ......, aren't you?               

He's ......, isn't he?                                    

She's ......, isn't she?

It's ......, isn't it?

We're ......, aren't we?

They're ......, aren't they?  

 

I'm not ......, am I?

You're not/You aren't ......, are you?

He's not/He isn't ......, is he?

It's not/It isn't ......, is it?

We're not/We aren't ......, are we?

They're not/They aren't ......, are they?

=====Note that:=====

1. I'm late, aren't I?  Image         I'm late, amn't I?  Image

2. No one, everyone and someone use singular verbs but plural question tags and 'they'.

No one is in the office, are they?

Everyone is here, aren't they?

Someone is on holiday, aren't they?

 

 

3. We respond to a question tag with:

 

     a short affirmative answer - Yes, they are. 

     or  

     a short negative answer or "No" + extra information - No, he isn't. He's Italian.

                                                                                                 No, he's Italian.



=====Examples===== Image  They're not in London, are they? No, they're in Paris. 

Image   Hans is 35, isn't he? Yes, he is.

Image  We're not late, are we? No, the meeting is at 2 o'clock.


=====Short answers=====

We use a short answer when we can answer a question "yes" or "no". It's more polite than just saying "yes" or "no" alone. 

Usually, it isn't necessary to repeat the information in the question.

Is Jane your sister?  Yes, Jane is my sister. [not recommended]

Is Jane your sister?  Yes, she is.


Question:

'to be' + subject + adjective/noun

Is she American?

Affirmative answer:

Yes + subject + 'to be'

Yes, she is.

Negative answer:

No + subject + 'to be' + not

No, she isn't.

No, she's not.


Note that we don't use the contracted form for affirmative answers.


=====Examples=====

roses flowers man offering giving bouquet fleurs gift cadeau  Are the flowers red? Yes, they are.

woman yellow taxi mobile telephone  Is she in a meeting? No, she isn't. She's in a taxi.

Couple in Paris romantic outside walking holding hands  Are Jill and Ben on a business trip? No, they aren't. They're on holiday.

Swiss falg  Are you French? No, I'm not. I'm Swiss.

Irish Flag drapeau  Are you Irish? Yes, I am.


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