Question tags and short answers
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? I'm late, amn't I?
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
They're not in London, are they? No, they're in Paris.
Hans is 35, isn't he? Yes, he is.
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.