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Lesson 4
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Advanced English
Lesson 4 - Work
Grammar

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Tag Questions

Tag questions are questions that are used to confirm what you think is true.

You speak Spanish, don't you?  
(I think you speak Spanish but I'm asking to confirm that this is true.) 

To form a tag question you begin with the statement that you think is true ("You speak Spanish" in the example above).  The tag (the part at the end that makes it a question) is formed by using an auxiliary verb in the negative if the statement was affirmative or an auxiliary verb in the affirmative if the statement was negative.  See the examples in the chart below.

Affirmative Statements
(The auxiliary verb in the tag is negative.)		 Negative Statements
(The auxiliary verb in the tag is affirmative.)
to be
You're a student, aren't you? You aren't a student, are you?
He's tired, isn't he? He isn't tired, is he?
Present Tense
You speak Spanish, don't you? You don't speak Spanish, do you?
He swims, doesn't he? He doesn't swim, does he?
Past Tense
He went to school, didn't he? He didn't go to school, did he?
Present Perfect
You have finished, haven't you? You haven't finished, have you?
He has left, hasn't he? He hasn't left, has he?
Future
She will cook, won't she? She won't cook, will she?

*The only one that doesn't follow the pattern above is the affirmative form of "am".  The negative, however, does follow the pattern. See the examples below.

I'm tall, aren't I?
I'm not tall, am I?

Practice
Select the correct tag for each statement.

1. They are teacher,

2. We are ready,

3. She is a teacher,

4. He isn't from France,

5. I'm not on the list,

6. They aren't tall,

7. I'm the winner,
* IRREGULAR - Be careful!

8. They live in China,

9. She sings beautifully,

10. He doesn't like movies,

11. They moved,

12. You don't cook well,

13. She didn't leave,

14. He has finished,

15. You saw the show,

16. They haven't read the book,

17. She hasn't written the article,

18. You've gone there,

19. You will go to the party,

20. She'll buy the present,

21. They won't see her,

22. They can speak English,

23. She wouldn't be a good teacher,

24. Mary's a good friend,

25. He uses the computer a lot,

26. They'll love the gift,

27. You can't ride a bike,

28. Mr. and Mrs. Watson are from Michigan,

29. We don't have class tomorrow,

30. Ann has worked in that building,

 

Practice
Write the tag in the space.

example
She is a doctor,

1. You are a teacher,

2. You aren't tired,

3. He is sick,

4. She isn't from Spain,

5. They live in an apartment,

6. They don't like Mexican food,

7. He speaks English,

8. She doesn't live in that house,

9. They called her,

10. She didn't call him,

11. You have cleaned the house,

12. They haven't read the book,

13. She has written the letter,

14. He hasn't exercised,

15. They will finish the project,

16. She won't do the homework,

17. He's bought a new computer,

18. They went to the party,

19. They're nice people,

20. He likes Chinese food,

 

Find the Mistake

Instructions
Find the errors in the sentences.  Write the sentences correctly.

example
She are a student. --> She is a student.

1. You aren't French, aren't you?
  

2. They speak Chinese, doesn't they? 
  

3. You'll finish, will you?
  

4. I'm smart, isn't I?
  

5. I want to acheive my goals.
  

 

Study English Abroad

You will find more information about studying English abroad and inexpensive alternatives to studying abroad in the Study Abroad area of Passport to English.

Study Abroad Information
Why study abroad?
What to look for in a study abroad program
Types of Programs
Alternatives to Study Abroad
Home Exchange

 

 

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