QUESTION TAGS EXERCISE 1 (ESL)
level: Elementary/Intermediate (A2/B1)
A question tag is the short question added to the end of a statement — like isn't it? or do they? The core rule is straightforward: positive statement + negative tag, and negative statement + positive tag. But getting the right auxiliary verb requires careful attention. The grammar review below explains the full formation rules. This is exercise 1 of 2.
Grammar review
Question tags — structure and formation
A question tag is a short question added to the end of a statement, used to confirm information or invite agreement. The key rule is that the tag is always the opposite of the main clause: if the statement is positive, the tag is negative, and vice versa.
Structure: auxiliary verb + pronoun (+ not for negative tags)
“She is coming, isn’t she?”
“They don’t know, do they?”
“You haven’t met him, have you?”
Choosing the right auxiliary:
Use the same auxiliary as in the main clause. If there is no auxiliary, use do/does/did.
“He works here, doesn’t he?” (no auxiliary → use does)
“She went home, didn’t she?” (no auxiliary → use did)
“They can swim, can’t they?” (auxiliary = can)
Pronoun agreement:
The pronoun in the tag must match the subject of the main clause.
“The dog is barking, isn’t it?”
“Your parents are home, aren’t they?”
Special case — I am:
The tag for I am is aren’t I? (not amn’t I):
“I’m right, aren’t I?”
A question tag is a short question added to the end of a statement, used to confirm information or invite agreement. The key rule is that the tag is always the opposite of the main clause: if the statement is positive, the tag is negative, and vice versa.
Structure: auxiliary verb + pronoun (+ not for negative tags)
“She is coming, isn’t she?”
“They don’t know, do they?”
“You haven’t met him, have you?”
Choosing the right auxiliary:
Use the same auxiliary as in the main clause. If there is no auxiliary, use do/does/did.
“He works here, doesn’t he?” (no auxiliary → use does)
“She went home, didn’t she?” (no auxiliary → use did)
“They can swim, can’t they?” (auxiliary = can)
Pronoun agreement:
The pronoun in the tag must match the subject of the main clause.
“The dog is barking, isn’t it?”
“Your parents are home, aren’t they?”
Special case — I am:
The tag for I am is aren’t I? (not amn’t I):
“I’m right, aren’t I?”
Complete each sentence by filling in the correct question tag.
1. He plays football, ?✓
2. Mary is going to see that movie, ?✓
3. You're living in France, ?✓
4. You live in France, ?✓
5. Thomas is coming over tonight, ?✓
6. Fiona is Irish, ?✓
7. Peter and Nancy are coming to the party, ?✓
8. The neighbors like us, ?✓
9. Stefan is German, ?✓
10. We have another carton of milk, ?✓
11. James is grading our exams, ?✓
12. We have another test this week, ?✓
13. That's a different shirt, ?✓
14. You want to learn English grammar, ?✓
15. Your father is mowing the lawn, ?✓
16. They are Canadian, ?✓
17. Your cousins like to dance, ?✓
18. You're going to pay the phone bill, ?✓
19. Those shoes are expensive, ?✓
20. Amelia is a runner, ?✓
KEEP PRACTICING — MORE EXERCISES FOR YOU:
Question tags rely on knowing your auxiliary verbs cold. These exercises cover the grammar that feeds directly into question tag formation:
More question tag practice:
Question tags 2 (B1/B2)
Auxiliary verbs & related grammar:
Auxiliary verbs exercise 1 — be, do, have (A2/B1)
Auxiliary verbs exercise 2 — be, do, have (A2/B1)
Do or does? Exercise 1 (A1/A2)
Do, does, is, are? Exercise 1 (A1/A2)
Mixed modals exercise 1 — can, should, must (B1/B2)
Verb tenses used in question tags:
Simple present exercise 2 (A1/A2)
Present continuous exercise 1 (A1/A2)
Subject-verb agreement exercise 2 (B1/B2)
Browse all grammar exercises →
Question tags rely on knowing your auxiliary verbs cold. These exercises cover the grammar that feeds directly into question tag formation:
More question tag practice:
Question tags 2 (B1/B2)
Auxiliary verbs & related grammar:
Auxiliary verbs exercise 1 — be, do, have (A2/B1)
Auxiliary verbs exercise 2 — be, do, have (A2/B1)
Do or does? Exercise 1 (A1/A2)
Do, does, is, are? Exercise 1 (A1/A2)
Mixed modals exercise 1 — can, should, must (B1/B2)
Verb tenses used in question tags:
Simple present exercise 2 (A1/A2)
Present continuous exercise 1 (A1/A2)
Subject-verb agreement exercise 2 (B1/B2)
Browse all grammar exercises →
