You’re the math teacher, aren’t you? Be a man (= do what's associated with being a man)! You can use this to confirm that what you are thinking is true, and you expect a negative answer. Why did God choose circumcision and Paul cancel it? Oh yeah. Form Use the same auxiliary verb as in the main sentence. Language researchers using computer data found that British English speakers used tag questions nine times as often as American English speakers! Good question, it’s one of the points that shows grammar isn’t as simple as a ‘technical’ or ‘logical’ combination of strings of phonemes (or letters if you prefer so). “They are” becomes “aren’t they?” and “She is” becomes “isn’t she?”. How does electricty flow in a flip-flop circuit? Have you ever been in a conversation and wanted to check your understanding? If the tag question is negative, we shorten the phrase, or use a contraction with the auxiliary verb. Expected answer: No, I don't. Why use backup if icloud is already enabled for every application, Water behind ships much bluer than rest of ocean. If the speaker is trying to confirm information, the tone rises: Speakers saying something that they are almost certain the listener will agree with use a falling intonation. ", Just to add some historical and lexicographic details. Send us a message. don't and other auxiliary-clitic combinations are no longer ‘the sum of their parts’. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. Be aware that question tags are only common in spoken language. The code has been copied to your clipboard. By using our Services or clicking I agree, you agree to our use of cookies. For example, in the song A Little Time the singing duo Beautiful South ask the question. A subreddit for questions and discussions about grammar, language, style, conventions[,] and punctuation. Swapping out our Syntax Highlighter, Responding to the Lavender Letter and commitments moving forward, Why is “Why don't you like ___?” okay, but “Why do not you like?” ___?“ isn't?”. We normally use question tags to check something you think you know or you think is true. “don't”) and full phrases (e.g. How can there be hidur by mitzvos dirabanan? If there is no auxiliary verb, use do for present and did for past. The following points demonstrate the forming in detail: The following points demonstrate the forming in detail: The following exercises and explanations relate to the topic ‘rules for using question tags in English’ and could also be interesting: Found anything to improve? Tag questions are an example of a big difference between British and American English. He’s a lot taller now.”. We leave you with a famous line from Carly Simon, in the song You're So Vain: You're so vain, you probably think this song is about you But then people started using it for 2nd and 3rd persons, and after that it was deemed ungrammatical. “Why don't you…” question with the verb “be”, Goodbye, Prettify. I know that we can use "Why don't you" with other verbs as in: However, I'm not sure if we can use these two sentences. ", instead of "Don't you know?"? Question tags are used at the end of statements to turn the statements into questions. is correct English, but, @Flater: that's why it used to be pronounced. To make a negative sentence in English we normally use Don't or Doesn't with all verbs EXCEPT To Be and Modal verbs (Can, might, should etc.). No, there's no technical reason to assume this. You don’t want to sound like you’re nagging if you’re not. Some language researchers say that men use tag questions more often than women. It only takes a minute to sign up. She is taking the bus, isn’t she? Here's an example: I was visiting a friend and saw a photo on the wall. How to generate the exact AES key in both client and server side? How can I force my Mac to attempt to boot a version of macOS that's too old to run? 2It isn't too cold today, is itisn't itit is? Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. There's no synchronic way to tell why it isn’t willn’t, mustnt or doont - other than learning those forms, consciously or unconsciously. Find out more about cookies and how to change your cookie settings. You're so vain, I'll bet you think this song is about you The form of that answer depends on the type of tag question. 4 You like chocolate, ? Exercise 1: question tags with the auxiliary ‘to be’, Exercise 2: question tags in the simple present, Whenever ‘there is, there are, there were’, Exercise 3 question tags in different tenses. Similarly, the tense in the question tag cannot differ from the tense in the statement. Simply paste or write your text below and click Check My Writing to get feedback on your writing. don't you? Oh, your desk’s a mess. You ain't, he ain't. Negative: You don't speak Spanish.. You will see that we add don't between the subject and the verb. What is this closed off pipe under my Kitchen sink? They use the same form, with reversed word order. Be a man (= do what's associated with being a man)! instead of the typical 'Aren't I?' have a contraction that is at once easily pronounceable and logical. 5She arrived too late, didn't shewasn't shedid she? @Flater: it used to, a long time ago. /r/grammar is a friendly and knowledgeable community dedicated to helping posters with questions about grammar, language, style, conventions, and punctuation. with the verb be. However, there may be other combinations depending on meaning and pronunciation. They use a reduced form, or contraction. Leave me to do my work and worry about your own! Prepositional verbs: why don't we put proposition 'with' after some verbs? Why don't you (just) be a man about it and stop whining? Are they plated through hole vias? Using a random forest, would a RandomForest performance be less if I drop the first or the last tree? Negative: You don't speak Spanish. Don't vs. Now let’s look at tag questions that follow a negative statement. Thanks for contributing an answer to English Language & Usage Stack Exchange! to be correct English, not because "Are I not?" Do contractions (e.g. To make a negative sentence in English we normally use Don't or Doesn't with all verbs EXCEPT To Be and Modal verbs (Can, might, should etc.).. On this page you will find the following: In general, question tags (also called tag questions or question tails) are used to elicit confirmation or affirmation for a statement from the person one is talking to. Can the “don't” contraction be expanded when used as a command? Expected answer: No, I don't. instead of a noun is used in almost every case. Expected answer: No, I don't. Use the same auxiliary verb as in the main sentence. (the daily update is just too slow). 8Your little Angie can't walk yet, can't shecan sheshe can't? A clitic is dependent upon a particular word, so that generally when that word moves, so does the clitic(s) dependent on it (like the "object pronouns" in Romance languages if you're familiar with them). They think it might show that men have more power in the conversation, and use tags to ask for information or agreement. “do not”) have the same meaning? By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy, and our Terms of Service. @PeterShor "Ain't" doesn't uniquely apply to the 1st person, since the same applies to 2nd/3rd person. Make the tag question with a form of the verb be combined with the negative not and the pronoun. It has to refer to the subject of the sentence which is often a noun or the same personal pronoun. “Why don't they help him?” Why do we use simple present here? Note when we have an affirmative sentence with I am, the question tag is aren’t I? How can various tiers of worlds be beneficial for God's portfolio? We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience of our website. site design / logo © 2020 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under cc by-sa. We’ll talk first about tag questions that follow a positive statement with the verb be. We use Don't when the subject is I, you, we or they. ” the same as “Do not you know?”? How does the Flames of Phlegethos racial feat interact with the sorcerer's Metamagic option Empowered Spell? When it comes to the form of question tags, you need to pay attention that a personal pronoun (‘he, she, it, we’, etc.) 10You would never tell him, would youwouldn't youwould he? ", However if the question is posed slightly differently as: "Do you not like to play games? Whatever your gender, when you use a tag question you expect an answer. It may be used for emphasis, however, as in the following sentence: "Do you not know how to do your own laundry after all these years? site design / logo © 2020 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under cc by-sa. Interrogative sentences can be in positive or negative form, and in any tense.. What is the function of an interrogative sentence? The URL has been copied to your clipboard. It is completely redundant verbosity, which is a very common notion in British English vocabulary. Basically, the meaning is: Shut up! Your face has been looking like that for hours Everyday Grammar: Tag Questions are Easy, Aren’t They. It only takes a minute to sign up. 5 She arrived too late, ? rev 2020.10.5.37734, The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, English Language & Usage Stack Exchange works best with JavaScript enabled, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site, Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, Learn more about hiring developers or posting ads with us. Doesn't match usage, though. ", and I want to express that I like to play games, should I answer with "Yes, I like to play games." If the main sentence is positive, use a negative auxiliary. I hope I can get some clarification. What is wrong with function `LetterCounts` and other functions that operate on strings?

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