Understanding Correct Question Tags

A question tag is a short phrase added to the end of a statement, turning it into a question. It is typically used to check information or to invite agreement.

The basic structure of a question tag involves using an auxiliary verb (or 'do', 'does', 'did') from the main statement and the subject pronoun.

Rules for Forming Correct Question Tags

The main rule is about matching the statement type (positive or negative) with the tag type:

• If the statement is positive, the question tag is usually negative.
• If the statement is negative, the question tag is usually positive.

The auxiliary verb in the tag matches the auxiliary verb in the statement. If there is no auxiliary verb (as in simple present or simple past tense statements without 'be'), we use 'do', 'does', or 'did'.

Analyzing Each Option

Let's look at each option to see if the question tag follows the rules based on its preceding statement.

Option 1: He said that, didn’t he?

• Statement: "He said that"
• Statement Type: Positive
• Verb Tense: Simple Past ("said")
• Auxiliary for Simple Past: 'did'
• Subject: "He"
• Tag Needed: Negative ('didn't') + Subject Pronoun ('he')
• Formed Tag: "didn't he?"
• Match? Yes. The statement is positive, and the tag is negative using the correct auxiliary and pronoun.

Option 2: He said that, did he?

• Statement: "He said that"
• Statement Type: Positive
• Tag: "did he?"
• Tag Type: Positive
• Match? No. A positive statement requires a negative question tag.

Option 3: She didn’t do that, didn’t she?

• Statement: "She didn’t do that"
• Statement Type: Negative (uses 'didn't')
• Auxiliary: 'didn't'
• Subject: "She"
• Tag Needed: Positive + Subject Pronoun ('she')
• Tag: "didn’t she?"
• Tag Type: Negative
• Match? No. A negative statement requires a positive question tag.

Option 4: They will come, will they?

• Statement: "They will come"
• Statement Type: Positive (uses 'will')
• Auxiliary: 'will'
• Subject: "They"
• Tag Needed: Negative ('won't') + Subject Pronoun ('they')
• Tag: "will they?"
• Tag Type: Positive
• Match? No. A positive statement requires a negative question tag. The correct tag would be "won't they?".

Based on the analysis, only Option 1 follows the standard rules for forming a question tag.

Revision Table: Question Tag Summary

Additional Information on Question Tags

While the basic rules cover most cases, there are a few exceptions and special forms for question tags:

• 'I am' Statements: The tag is usually 'aren't I?'. (e.g., I am late, aren't I?)
• Imperative Sentences: Often use 'will you?' or 'won't you?'. (e.g., Open the door, will you?)
• 'Let's' Statements: The tag is 'shall we?'. (e.g., Let's go, shall we?)
• Statements with Indefinite Pronouns (e.g., nobody, no one, everyone, everybody): The subject in the tag is 'they'. (e.g., Nobody came, did they?)
• Statements with 'this' or 'that': The subject in the tag is 'it'. (e.g., This is correct, isn't it?)

Understanding these rules and exceptions helps in correctly identifying and forming question tags.