What is a question tag?

A question tag is a short question at the end of a sentence that asks the listener to agree or confirm. In You are coming, aren't you, the tag is aren't you. A positive statement takes a negative tag, and a negative statement takes a positive tag. The tag always copies the auxiliary of the main sentence.

When do I use a positive question tag?

Use a positive tag after a negative statement. The sentence She cannot drive, can she is negative because of cannot, so the tag is positive: can she. Words like never, nobody and nothing also make a statement negative: Nobody called, did they.

Is this question tags test free and does it have answers?

Yes. The test is completely free and you do not need to sign up. Each question shows the correct answer and a short explanation as soon as you check it, so you learn from any mistake straight away and understand why the tag is right.

How do I choose the right question tag?

Look at the statement before the comma. Find its auxiliary — is, has, can — and use the same one in the tag. If there is no auxiliary, use do, does or did. Then flip: positive statement, negative tag; negative statement, positive tag.

Why is 'You speak Spanish, isn't it' wrong?

English does not use one universal tag. The tag copies the auxiliary of the sentence: speak is a present simple verb, so the tag needs do — don't you.

Question Tags – B1 Grammar Test (with Answers)

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Practice Questions & Answers

All B1 questions for “Question Tags – B1 Grammar Exercises with Answers”, each with the correct answer and a short explanation. Try the interactive exercises above, then check your answers here.

Question Tags: Positive and Negative

1. You've locked the office, ___?
- A. didn't you
- B. haven't you ✓
- C. don't you
- D. aren't you
Answer: haven't you
The statement is positive and uses have, so the tag is negative with the same auxiliary: haven't you. Didn't belongs to the past simple.
2. She can't drive, ___?
- A. does she
- B. can't she
- C. doesn't she
- D. can she ✓
Answer: can she
Can't is negative, so the tag flips to positive: can she. Can't she repeats the negative, which English does not allow after a negative statement.
3. The meeting starts at nine, ___?
- A. doesn't it ✓
- B. isn't it
- C. does it
- D. won't it
Answer: doesn't it
Starts is present simple with no auxiliary, so the tag needs does: doesn't it. Isn't it is the universal-tag error; the verb here is not be.
4. They won't be late, ___?
- A. won't they
- B. don't they
- C. will they ✓
- D. aren't they
Answer: will they
Won't is negative, so the tag flips to positive: will they. The auxiliary stays will; only the polarity changes.
5. He passed the exam, ___?
- A. doesn't he
- B. isn't he
- C. wasn't he
- D. didn't he ✓
Answer: didn't he
Passed is past simple, so the tag uses did: didn't he. Doesn't belongs to the present simple.
6. You aren't coming to the party, ___?
- A. aren't you
- B. are you ✓
- C. do you
- D. will you
Answer: are you
Aren't is negative, so the tag flips to positive: are you. Aren't you would repeat the negative.
7. Let's go for lunch, ___?
- A. do we
- B. will we
- C. shall we ✓
- D. aren't we
Answer: shall we
Let's is a special case: its tag is always shall we. Will we belongs to future statements with will, not to Let's.
8. Nobody called, ___?
- A. did they ✓
- B. didn't they
- C. did he
- D. didn't he
Answer: did they
Nobody is a negative word, so the tag is positive: did they. Didn't would make the sentence negative twice.

Question Tags: Forming the Tag

1. You have finished the report,_____?
Answer: haven't you
The statement is positive with have, so the tag is negative: haven't you.
2. She is coming to the meeting,_____?
Answer: isn't she
She takes is; the statement is positive, so the tag is negative: isn't she.
3. They did not sign the contract,_____?
Answer: did they
Did not is negative, so the tag flips to positive: did they.
4. We can ask for help,_____?
Answer: can't we
The statement is positive with can, so the tag is negative: can't we.
5. He plays tennis on Saturdays,_____?
Answer: doesn't he
Plays is present simple, so the tag uses does: doesn't he.
6. You were at the office this morning,_____?
Answer:

Question Tags: Common Mistakes

1. Which option does not belong?
- A. She has finished, hasn't she?
- B. They will help, won't they?
- C. You play guitar, don't you?
- D. He arrived late, doesn't he? ✓
Answer: He arrived late, doesn't he?
Arrived is past simple, so the tag needs did: didn't he. The other three sentences use the correct auxiliary.
2. Which option does not belong?
- A. They are late, are they? ✓
- B. You are not tired, are you?
- C. She cannot drive, can she?
- D. We met in 2019, didn't we?
Answer: They are late, are they?
A positive statement needs a negative tag: aren't they. The other three sentences flip the polarity correctly.
3. Which option does not belong?
- A. The bus is late, isn't it?
- B. Your friends called, didn't they?
- C. The children are asleep, isn't it? ✓
- D. Maria can come, can't she?
Answer:

Question Tags: Planning a Surprise Party

1. Marco leaves next Friday, ___?
- A. doesn't he ✓
- B. isn't he
- C. won't he
- D. hasn't he
Answer: doesn't he
A is checking the date: leaves is present simple, positive statement, so the tag is doesn't he.
2. Yes. And the whole team has signed the card, ___?
- A. didn't they
- B. hasn't it ✓
- C. haven't they
- D. has it
Answer: hasn't it
The team is one group (it); positive has-statement, so the tag is negative: hasn't it.
3. You can order the cake, ___?
- A. can you
- B. do you
- C. can't you ✓
- D. will you
Answer: can't you
A is checking B can help: positive can-statement, so the tag is negative: can't you.

Question Tags: Checking Information

1. You have read the email.
Answer: You have read the email, haven't you?
Have-statement, positive, so the tag is negative: haven't you.
2. She is not coming to dinner.
Answer: She is not coming to dinner, is she?
The statement is negative with is not, so the tag flips to positive: is she.
3. They moved to Madrid last year.
Answer: They moved to Madrid last year, didn't they?
Moved is past simple, so the tag uses did: didn't they.
4. We can park here.
Answer: We can park here, can't we?
Positive can-statement, so the tag is negative: can't we.
5. He will not mind the noise.
Answer: He will not mind the noise, will he?
Will not is negative, so the tag flips to positive: will he.
6. You were born in July.

Question Tags – B1 Grammar Exercises with Answers

You've locked the office, ___?

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Practice Questions & Answers

Question Tags: Positive and Negative

Question Tags: Forming the Tag

Question Tags: Common Mistakes

Question Tags: Planning a Surprise Party

Question Tags: Checking Information

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