QUESTION TAGS EXERCISE 3 (ESL)
B1–B2 · IntermediateThis 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.
Exercise 1 · Exercise 2 · Exercise 3
Need a refresher? Review the grammar ↓Choose the correct question tag to complete each sentence.
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?”
“He hasn’t finished eating, has he?”
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?”
“He hasn’t finished eating, has he?”
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)
KEEP PRACTICING — MORE EXERCISES FOR YOU:
Auxiliary verbs 1
Auxiliary verbs 2
Auxiliary verbs 3
Negative questions
Do, does, is, or are?
Simple present yes/no questions
Browse all grammar exercises →
Auxiliary verbs 1
Auxiliary verbs 2
Auxiliary verbs 3
Negative questions
Do, does, is, or are?
Simple present yes/no questions
Browse all grammar exercises →
