Selection of each component of additional interrogative sentences

English tag questions are mainly formed by repeating the subject and predicate in previous sentences. Its operational words are usually consistent with the predicate verbs in the previous sentence in person, number and tense; Its subject must also be a personal pronoun consistent with the subject of the previous sentence in person, number and gender; Its negative word should use the abbreviation n't of not. For example:

John will go out, won't he?

John will go out, won't he?

Mary failed in the exam, didn't she?

Mary failed in the exam, didn't she?

You are not getting better, are you?

You haven't recovered yet, have you?

In practical application, some people often make mistakes in the choice of subject, operation word, affirmative sentence or negative sentence of additional questions. Here, we only summarize and analyze the problems that are easy to make mistakes when choosing various components of simple sentences (including declarative sentences, imperative sentences and exclamatory sentences).

A. the choice of the subject of additional interrogative sentences in simple sentences

A. when the previous sentence is a sentence indicating existence caused by the leading word there, the subject of the additional question is repeating there. For example:

There will be a meeting tomorrow, won't there?

There will be a meeting tomorrow, won't there?

There is still some ink in the bottle, isn't there?

Is there any ink in the bottle?

B when the subject of the previous sentence is an infinitive, gerund or phrase, the subject of the additional question must be it. For example:

Taking an attitude is seeking truth from facts, isn't it?

This attitude is the attitude of seeking truth from facts, isn't it?

Writing this book takes up all his spare time, doesn't it?

Writing this book takes up all his spare time, doesn't it?

Lifting weights will exercise the muscles of the arms and shoulders, won't it?

Lifting weights can exercise arm muscles and shoulder muscles, right?

It's 1000 kilometers from Wuhan to Beijing, isn't it?

It's 1 000 kilometers from Wuhan to Beijing, isn't it?

C. when the subject of the previous sentence is the demonstrative pronoun that, this; When "they" or "they", the subject of the tag question should be "it" or "they" respectively. For example:

This is not an express train, is it?

This is not an express train, is it?

It was a very pleasant trip, wasn't it?

It was a pleasant trip, wasn't it?

These are not story books, are they?

These are not story books, are they?

When the demonstrative pronoun is the subject of the previous sentence, the subject of the additional question depends on its concept, that is, it can be singular or plural. For example:

This is life, isn't it?

This is life, isn't it?

These are available, aren't they?

These things are available, aren't they?

D. When the subject of the previous sentence is a compound indefinite pronouns, such as nobody, no one, none, everyone, everyone, someone, etc. The subject of additional questions can be him or them. In modern English, they are generally used (in this case, the operator must be plural). This is because there is no singular third person pronoun in English that can refer to both him and her, and it is not clear whether these compound indefinite pronouns refer to men or women, so it is inconvenient to use he. For example:

Everyone has a ticket, doesn't he?

Everyone has tickets, right?

Anyone can do that, can't they?

Anyone can do it, right?

Everyone knows his work, doesn't he?

Everyone knows his work, doesn't he?

When the subject of the previous sentence is the compound indefinite pronouns of things, everything, something, anything and nothing, the subject of the additional question can only be it. For example:

Everything seems fine, doesn't it?

Everything seems normal, doesn't it?

Is there anything wrong?

Is there anything wrong?

E. if the subject of the previous sentence is each? Structure, when emphasized? Each, each? When, what is the subject of the additional question; When you are stressed? All of you? Instead of focusing? Separate? They, we or you use it separately according to the situation. The number of operational words must also change with the theme of additional questions. For example:

Every successful candidate got a certificate, didn't he?

Every successful contestant got a certificate, didn't he?

Every student passed the exam, didn't he?

All the students passed the exam, didn't they?

Each of us has been there, haven't we?

We have all been there, haven't we?

F. When the subject of the previous sentence is indefinite pronouns one, the subject of the additional question is one in formal occasions, you in informal occasions and he American English in informal occasions. For example:

One can't be too careful, can one?

You can't be too careful, can you? (Formal occasion)

A man should do his duty, shouldn't he?

One should perform one's duties, right? (Informal occasion)

The subject of the last additional question can only be what. If the possessive pronoun of the previous sentence is changed to one's or your respectively, then the subject of the additional question should also be one or you. Try to compare:

One should do one's duty, shouldn't one? (Formal occasion)

One should do one's duty, shouldn't one? (Informal occasion)

B. Selection of operational words for additional interrogative sentences

The operators of interrogative sentences include connecting verbs be, auxiliary verbs be, do and modal verbs. When choosing operation words, besides the above situations, we should also pay attention to the following situations.

A. when there are had better and would rather be in the previous sentence, the operator of the additional question should be had or would, respectively. For example:

You'd better go now, wouldn't you?

You'd better go now, okay?

You'd rather get there early, wouldn't you?

You'd rather get there early, wouldn't you?

If the subject of the previous sentence is us, the operation words of the additional question can also be used to express the other party's further suggestions. For example:

? Hmm? He said kindly. Maybe we'd better see how it shakes down, okay?

? Is that OK？ He said kindly, let's see what the vibration is like, shall we?

B. If the predicate verb of the previous sentence is wish, then the operator of the additional question is often may. For example:

I want to visit you tonight, is that all right?

I want to visit you tonight, is that all right?

I want to go home now, okay?

Can I go home now?

C. when the subject of the previous sentence is I and the verb is am, the British often use are not I；; Use standard English; Americans are used to using ain't i. In very formal written language, i not or I not is also useful, but rarely. The British also use a' t I or a 'n't in informal occasions, and the dialects of Scotland and Ireland also use AMN't i. For example:

I'm interested in this story, aren't I?

Am I not interested in this story?

Sorry, I was rather careless, wasn't I?

Sorry, I was careless, wasn't I?

I am good enough, aren't I?

I am good enough, aren't I?

Oh, honey, I'm a loser, aren't I?

Oh, there is nothing I can do!

D. In the previous sentence, when you use ought to, although most people think that the operation word of the tag question should be changed to Should, in some dictionaries and textbooks in Britain and the United States, there are many examples of using ough or ough not for tag questions. For example:

She should go by bus, shouldn't she?

She should go by bus, shouldn't she?

This kind of thing should not be allowed, should it?

This kind of thing should not be allowed, should it?

He should be punished, shouldn't he?

He is to blame, isn't he?

Everyone should brush their teeth regularly, shouldn't they?

Everyone should get into the habit of brushing their teeth, right?

Judging from the language materials we have collected, English people use ought more, while Americans are used to using should. It can be seen that scholars have different opinions on this because the habits of Britain and the United States are inconsistent. So we think that both ought and should should be regarded as standard English, but the tone of Should is euphemistic and sounds more natural. When you use ought, the tone is more solemn.

E. When there is a used to in the previous sentence, both use(d) and did can be used as operational words of additional questions, but the latter is more colloquial. For example:

You used to play the flute, didn't you?

You used to play the flute, didn't you?

You used to live in Leeds, didn't you?

You used to live in Leeds, didn't you?

Interestingly, when the infinitive be is used after the used to in the previous sentence, the operator who attaches questions can also use the past tense of be. For example:

She used to be a friend of yours, didn't she?

She used to be your friend, didn't she?

F. what is the meaning of must in the previous sentence? Must? When, the operation words of additional questions are still necessary. Must, as in the previous sentence? Is it necessary? It doesn't have to be used as an operation word for additional questions. For example:

We must work hard, mustn't we?

We must work hard, right?

All students must learn English, right?

All students should learn English, right?

If the must in the previous sentence stands for a kind of? Speculation? In tag questions, you can use the same modal verbs and the appropriate forms of be, do or have. For example:

So it must be no problem, isn't it?

That must be no problem, isn't it?

What time is it now? It must be four o'clock, isn't it? I got there before three o'clock.

What time is it now? It must be four o'clock, isn't it? I should get there before three o'clock.

It must be twelve o'clock, isn't it?

Must be 12?

She must have been to new york, hasn't she?

She must have been to new york, hasn't she?

They must have succeeded in their experiment last week, didn't they?

They must have succeeded in their experiment last week, didn't they?

G. when the modal verb may or may is in the previous sentence, the operator of the additional question can still be may or may. For example:

May I come in?

may I come in?

I can come to see her tomorrow, can't I?

Can I come to see her tomorrow?

It may be in your mind, isn't it?

It may stay in your memory, won't it?

He may have received a letter from Tom, hasn't he?

He may have received Tom's letter, hasn't he?

Then he may not be there, is he?

He may not have been there, has he?

Some foreign scholars have different views on whether the operation words of tag questions can be abbreviated to negative forms mayn't and mightn't. Some people object to using mayn't and advocate using mightn't instead. Some people even think that it is forbidden even if it is possible. In fact, some of the above examples come from famous British and American writers. It can be seen that mayn't and mightn't are not only used in tag questions, but also used naturally. Even when "may" is used imaginatively and the subject is called "you" in the second person, the operation words of additional questions can be used to express the request. For example:

Can you get my newspaper, please? Can you help me bring that newspaper back?

Can you ask James to bring the two-seater around 2: 15?

Can you ask James to bring the two-seater car around 2: 15?

H. When there is have as a tense auxiliary verb in the previous sentence, the proper form of have should still be used as the operator of additional questions. For example:

By 1980, they have built the Friendship Hotel, haven't they?

By the end of 1980, they had finished the construction of the Friendship Hotel, hadn't they?

She hasn't started writing this novel, has she?

She hasn't started writing that novel, has she?

If there is a semi-auxiliary verb "have to" in the previous sentence, the operator of the additional question can be "do" or "have" in an appropriate form, the former is more common. In spoken English, you can use have got to instead of have to. At this time, the operation word of the additional question can only be the appropriate form of have. For example:

We must get up at four o'clock tomorrow, mustn't we?

We will get up at four o'clock tomorrow morning, won't we?

You don't have to go out again, do you?

You don't have to go out again, do you?

He doesn't have to answer all the questions on the test paper, does he?

He doesn't have to answer all the questions on the test paper, does he?

What if the verb have is used as a notional verb? Really? When a specific object is involved, the operation word of its additional question can be in the appropriate form of have or do. The former is mainly used in Britain, while the latter is mostly used in the United States. For example:

He has a radio, doesn't he?

He has a radio, doesn't he? (British English)

They have a beautiful house, don't they?

They once had a beautiful house, didn't they? (American English)

What does have mean if it is used as a notional verb? Really? For the meaning other than the specific object, the operation words attached to the topic can only use the appropriate form of do. For example:

He has breakfast at seven, doesn't he?

He had breakfast at seven, didn't he?

You had a comfortable trip, didn't you? You had a comfortable trip, didn't you?

Despite the following two sentences? Really? However, because the object is not a concrete physical noun, the operator of its additional question can only use the appropriate form of do. For example:

They have four classes in the morning, don't they?

They have four classes in the morning, don't they?

He has a lot of time to read, doesn't he?

He has a lot of time to read, doesn't he?

C. The positive and negative forms of additional questions in simple sentences and the predicate part of additional questions are usually opposite to the predicate of the previous sentence, that is, the predicate of the previous sentence is positive and the additional questions are negative; The predicate of the previous sentence is negative, and the additional question is affirmative. However, in practical application, some phenomena are worthy of attention.

A. the current sentence contains quasi-negative words, such as almost, almost, rarely, etc. Additional questions should be affirmative. For example:

He never said such a thing, did he?

He never mentioned it, did he?

It's not dry yet, is it?

This hasn't been done yet, has it?

When the previous sentence contains negative words such as Nothing, Nothing and No One in indefinite pronouns. Additional questions should also be positive. For example:

He has nothing to say, does he?

He has nothing to say, does he?

Nobody came yesterday, did they?

Nobody came yesterday, did they?

B. When the previous sentence is the second person's imperative sentence, the additional interrogative sentence can be an affirmative sentence will(can/would) you or its negative sentence will (can /would) you, but the tone of the affirmative sentence is more euphemistic. For example:

Have some more coffee, will you?

Please have some more coffee.

Come down quickly, will you?

Please come down quickly.

Stop that noise, will you

Can you stop arguing?

After the second person calls the negative sentence of the imperative sentence, the additional question can only be the affirmative sentence will you. For example:

Don't be late, okay?

Don't be late, okay?

Don't do that, okay?

Don't do this, okay?

If the imperative sentence begins with let's, its additional question is shall we; if it begins with let, the additional question is generally "will you", because the meaning of this imperative sentence does not include the other party, then "let us" is actually equivalent to "allow us". For example:

Let's take a walk, shall we?

Shall we go for a walk?

Let's go, shall we?

Let's go, shall we?

If it is an imperative sentence that begins with let me, additional questions can be expressed by will you or may I, for example:

Let me help you, will you?

Let me help you, okay?

Let me have a try, will you?

Let me have a try, will you?

C. When the previous sentence is an exclamatory sentence, the additional interrogative sentence can only be a negative sentence, because the exclamatory sentence has no negative form (see 10. 17 c.e). For example:

What a beautiful day, isn't it?

What fine weather!

Time flies, doesn't it?

How time flies!

How diligent the boy is, isn't he?

The child is really diligent.

What a long word you used, didn't you?

What a long word you used!

D. There is a kind of additional interrogative sentence, the predicate form of which is the same as that of the previous simple sentence, that is, both parts are affirmative or negative. This kind of additional question is often emotional and generally does not require the other party to give an answer, so some people call it? Modify the question? (see 10. 14). For example:

? I don't like this painting. ? Oh, you don't know, do you?

? I don't like this painting. ? Oh, no, is that right? (expressing doubt)

? You had better not come. You can't swim so far. ? So I can't swim so far, can I?

? You'd better not come here, you can't swim that far. ? I can't swim that far. Really? (expressing unconvinced)

Sometimes to express strong feelings, oh dear can also be used at the beginning of simple sentences. For example:

? Your son broke his leg. ? Oh, honey, he does, doesn't he?

? Your son broke his leg. ? Oh, my God! Is it true?/You don't say. /You don't say.

This kind of additional question can also be used to ask questions. The sentence before it is used to express a guess, and then the question part is used to ask whether the guess is correct. For example:

This is the last bus, isn't it?

This is the last bus, isn't it?

He likes the idea, doesn't he?

He is in favor of the idea, isn't he?

E. In spoken English, the word or is sometimes inserted into additional questions. This happens when the speaker suddenly feels uncertain about the above after he has stated a sentence and begins to doubt it. For example:

He is Tom, isn't he?

He is Tom. Can't he be wrong?

He is Lao Wang, isn't he?

He is Lao Wang, isn't he? Hey, is he Lao Wang?

They have told you the news, haven't they?

They have told you the news, isn't it good?

Now, some grammarians have expanded the scope of tag questions. They think that as long as a complete sentence (even a word) is attached to a sentence (even a phrase), it is reasonable to call it an additional question. We think this view accords with the basic concept of tag questions. Therefore, the following examples can be called additional questions:

He's a good man, don't you think?

He's a good man, don't you think?

She is your daughter, isn't she?

She is your daughter, isn't she?

Do you think he is not on duty now?

He is not on duty now, can you guess?

It bodes well for poor English, doesn't it?

This bodes well for poor Britain, doesn't it?

Those kids didn't waste much time, hey?

Those children didn't waste much time, did they?

This is a good movie. What?

This is a good movie, isn't it?