QUESTION TAGS EXERCISE 3 (ESL)
level: Intermediate (B1/B2)
This second question tags exercise focuses on the trickier patterns: negative statements, sentences with negative words like never and nobody, and selecting the correct auxiliary verb. Start with exercise 1 and exercise 2 if you haven't already.
Grammar review
Question tags — positive, negative and tricky patterns
Once you know the basic structure of question tags (opposite auxiliary + matching pronoun), the next step is handling the patterns that trip learners up most.
Positive statement → negative tag:
“You speak French, don’t you?”
“She’s been working hard, hasn’t she?”
Negative statement → positive tag:
“He doesn’t like coffee, does he?”
“They haven’t left yet, have they?”
Imperatives:
Commands use will you? or won’t you? as the tag.
“Close the door, will you?”
Statements with negative words:
Words like never, hardly, scarcely, barely, nobody, nothing make the statement negative in meaning, so the tag is positive.
“She never complains, does she?”
“Nobody called, did they?”
Common errors:
✗ “She is tall, isn’t it?” (pronoun must match subject: isn’t she)
✗ “He works here, isn’t he?” (no be in main clause: use doesn’t he)
Once you know the basic structure of question tags (opposite auxiliary + matching pronoun), the next step is handling the patterns that trip learners up most.
Positive statement → negative tag:
“You speak French, don’t you?”
“She’s been working hard, hasn’t she?”
Negative statement → positive tag:
“He doesn’t like coffee, does he?”
“They haven’t left yet, have they?”
Imperatives:
Commands use will you? or won’t you? as the tag.
“Close the door, will you?”
Statements with negative words:
Words like never, hardly, scarcely, barely, nobody, nothing make the statement negative in meaning, so the tag is positive.
“She never complains, does she?”
“Nobody called, did they?”
Common errors:
✗ “She is tall, isn’t it?” (pronoun must match subject: isn’t she)
✗ “He works here, isn’t he?” (no be in main clause: use doesn’t he)
Choose the correct question tag to complete each sentence.
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 1 (A2/B1)
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? 1 (A1/A2)
Do, does, is, are? 1 (A1/A2)
Mixed modals 1 — can, should, must (B1/B2)
Verb tenses used in question tags:
Simple present 2 (A1/A2)
Present continuous 1 (A1/A2)
Subject-verb agreement 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 1 (A2/B1)
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? 1 (A1/A2)
Do, does, is, are? 1 (A1/A2)
Mixed modals 1 — can, should, must (B1/B2)
Verb tenses used in question tags:
Simple present 2 (A1/A2)
Present continuous 1 (A1/A2)
Subject-verb agreement 2 (B1/B2)
Browse all grammar exercises →
