English Class 8 - Question Tags Notes

Question Tags

Welcome to the chapter on Question Tags for Class 8. In this chapter, you will learn what question tags are, how to use them correctly, and why they are important in English conversation. By the end of this chapter, you will be able to add question tags to sentences and use them confidently in speaking and writing!

Introduction

Question tags are short questions added at the end of statements. They are used to confirm information or ask for agreement. For example: "You are coming, aren't you?"

How to Form Question Tags

• If the statement is positive, the tag is negative.
  She is happy, isn't she?
• If the statement is negative, the tag is positive.
  He isn't here, is he?
• Use the same auxiliary (helping) verb as in the statement.
  You have finished, haven't you?
• If there is no auxiliary verb, use do/does/did.
  She plays well, doesn't she?

Rules for Question Tags

• Use a comma before the tag.
• The subject in the tag is usually a pronoun.
• Use contractions (isn't, don't, haven't, etc.) in informal speech.

Examples

• It's raining, isn't it?
• You don't like tea, do you?
• They will come, won't they?
• She can swim, can't she?
• We haven't met before, have we?

Special Cases

• Imperative sentences (requests, offers):
  Open the door, will you?
• Let’s:
  Let's go, shall we?
• With "nobody", "nothing", "never", use positive tags:
  Nobody called, did they?

Fun Activity: Tag Game!

Write sentences and swap with a friend. Add the correct question tag to each sentence. See who gets the most right!

Summary

• Question tags turn statements into questions.
• Positive statements take negative tags, and vice versa.
• Use the correct auxiliary verb and pronoun in the tag.

Practice Questions

1. She is your sister, ________?
2. You haven’t finished, ________?
3. They play football, ________?
4. It isn’t cold today, ________?
5. Let’s start, ________?

Challenge Yourself

• Write five sentences and add the correct question tags.
• Find sentences with question tags in your English textbook.

Did You Know?

• Question tags are used more in spoken English than in writing.
• They help make conversations friendly and interactive.

Glossary

• Question Tag: A short question added to the end of a statement.
• Auxiliary Verb: A helping verb (is, are, do, have, etc.).
• Contraction: A short form (isn't, don't, can't, etc.).

Answers to Practice Questions

1. isn't she?
2. have you?
3. don't they?
4. is it?
5. shall we?

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Use question tags to make your English sound natural and friendly!