Hey there! This is TOP episode 160. Tag Questions (2)
My name’s Ola and I’ve been teaching English since 2012. I believe you can eliminate your language blockade. You can speak English with more confidence, slay that fear and enjoy communication.
Visit my website for full transcripts and worksheets to each episode. Visit my shop at teacherola.com and enjoy your journey to fluency! Happy learning!
Hello there! I’m so glad you’re here because today we are revisiting the topic of question tags.
Before we do just that. I’ve got an offer. Why don’t you start speaking English? Let’s do it together! I’ve set up a challenge. It’s a 5-week programme to make you start speaking English. It’s completely free. Every week you’ll receive a short video message from me with a task. Speaking task. I’m thrilled because the first task was sent last Friday and lots of you joined! Don’t worry it’s not too late to join now. Please do it, because it’s time you started speaking English fluently. The link is in the description.
Also! Every Thursday at 11 am I go live just for a quick chat with you. You’ll find me as teacherola.podcast. So join me on Thursday at 11:00 live on Instagram! Ther’s additional live scheduled for 8:30 pm on Sunday don’t miss that! We’ll talk about edutainment!
Visit my shop, buy a Worksheet set, and have your Worksheets in one place. They’re editable. They include a habit tracker. Also, check out my e-book with episode transcripts. Thank’s for your patience and let’s get back to the episode.
Question tags. As you may know, we’ve discussed the structure of tags in episode 156 so please catch up with that episode firt before focusing n this one.
The intonation in tags can be either falling or rising. Let’s take a look at a rising tag first.
Let’s begin with some examples.
It’s scorching hot, isn’t it?
Ana doesn’t have a driving licence, does she?
You can’t play an instrument, can you?
I hope you could hear that my voice was slightly rising toward the end of the tag.
It’s scorching hot, isn’t it? Isn’t it?
It’s because I really want you to answer. It’s a real question, so after asking that kind of question I’ll be expecting your answer.
Now, a falling intonation. Have a listen, I’ll use the same examples so that you can focus entirely on intonation. Notice the difference.
It’s scorching hot, isn’t it?
Ana doesn’t have a driving licence, does she?
You can’t play an instrument, can you?
This intonation pattern indicates that the speaker is not really asking anything. If it falls, it’s not a question. I’m just telling you that my statement is correct. I’m fairly sure I’m right. Listen again. One more thing! Since it’s not a question you are not expected to answer.
It’s scorching hot, isn’t it?
Ana doesn’t have a driving licence, does she?
You can’t play an instrument, can you?
I might use this intonation pattern to persuade you. For example:
We’re going to my parents’ this weekend, aren’t we?
You see? It’s non-negotiable. I’m just telling it like it is.
We’re going to my parents’ this weekend, aren’t we?
You won’t forget to buy fruit, will you?
You’ve brought my book, haven’t you?
In the previous episode on Question Tags episode 156, I told you that we normally use a negative tag with a positive statement, and the other way round. A positive tag with a negative statement. Well, it is possible to break the rule. It’s English, so any rule can be broken. Hear this.
A positive tag at the end of a positive statement is used to give a sarcastic comment. It might convey we’re suspicious. Check this example:
You’ve done all the tasks, have you?
You’re familiar with our rules, are you?
She believes politicians, doesn’t she?
You can use it to show your sincere interest as well! For instance:
You’ve seen the new teacher, have you?
Let’s now talk about suggesting things with tags. After a suggestion add a tag ‘shall’ using a rising intonation. Just like that:
Let’s go there together, shall we?
I’ll cook something nice, shall I?
Let’s begin, shall we?
Imperative statements form tags using modal verbs. They can sound more or less polite.
Pass me the salt, will you?
Call me when you arrive, will you?
Tell me when the dinner’s ready, would you?
Open the door for me, would you?
We cannot forget to mention ‘innit’ in this episode. So ‘innit’ replaces any other question tags, especially in British English. Especially among younger generations. In the first place ‘innit’ was used instead of ‘isn’t it’, but now you can use it for all standard tags.
It’s scorching hot, innit?
Ana doesn’t have a driving licence, innit?
You can’t play an instrument, innit?
‘Innit’ works just like ‘prawda’?
What about American English? Do they use tgas? They do, but it’s not as common as in the UK Americans tend to use the word ‘right’. For instance:
It’s hot, right?
Ana doesn’t have a driving licence, right?
You can’t play an instrument, right?
Time for practice! Listen and repeat. Later, download the Worksheet. Shall we?
It’s scorching hot, innit?
Pass me the salt, will you?
Tell me when the dinner’s ready, would you?
Let’s go there together, shall we?
You’ve done all the tasks, have you?
You’re familiar with our rules, are you?
She believes politicians, doesn’t she?
We’re going to my parents’ this weekend, aren’t we?
You won’t forget to buy fruit, will you?
You’ve brought my book, haven’t you?
Brilliant! Now, go to your inbox and get the worksheet to test yourself. Translate the sentences into English. If you aren’t a member of TOPeople download the worksheet from teacherola.com/160. By doing that you’ll become a member and receive my weakly newsletter.
If you find this episode useful, tell your friends about my podcast. Thank you so much for doing so! Please rate this podcast wherever you listen, be it Spotify, iTunes, Google Podcast or YouTube. Apparently this will help this podcast reach more people who want to start speaking English fearlessly. Thank you so much! I’ll see you next Wednesday! Happy learning. Take care! Stay fearless and say it out loud! Bye!