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English Grammar›Ch 8: Sentence Structures›Mastering Question Tags
Score full marks in SSC, Railway & Defence exams with foolproof rules.
A positive statement takes a negative tag, and a negative statement takes a positive tag. Always use the contracted form in negative tags and match the exact auxiliary verb.
Smart Memory Hooks
| Statement Type | Example Sentence | Correct Tag |
|---|---|---|
| I am | I am right | aren't I? |
| Suggestion (Let's) | Let's dance | shall we? |
| Imperative | Open the door | will you? |
| Negative Word | He seldom comes | does he? |
Positive Tag
(Hidden negative words)
Hidden negative words
He rarely speaks, does he?
Let's Tag
(Always takes shall)
Always takes shall
Let's leave, shall we?
I Am Tag
(Exception alert)
Exception alert
I am late, aren't I?
Imperative Tag
(Orders take will)
Orders take will
Sit down, will you?
I am happy, amn't I?I am happy, aren't I?
Amn't does not exist in standard English grammar.
Hardly anyone came, didn't they?Hardly anyone came, did they?
Hardly is negative, so the tag must be positive.
Let's go for a walk, will we?Let's go for a walk, shall we?
Let's proposals strictly require shall we.
Q1.Choose the correct question tag: 'He seldom visits his hometown, ...?'
Q2.Choose the correct question tag: 'I am a student of this academy, ...?'