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Perfect Stranger Posted 11 years ago
Grammar

Correct or not no. 82: question tag

Dear All,

In the following sentence, is the question tag used correctly? I'm not quite sure whether or not its form is OK. I guess the question tag refers to said in this sentence, rather then had taken part. How would Ihave to change it to make a clear reference to the latter? And is the past perfect necessary here or just advised?

You said you had taken part in the Chinese course at Fudan University, didn't you?

Thank you
  

Top answer

The question tag is correct. It refers to "said". You cannot add a question tag referring to "had taken part".

— GPY

  • The question tag is correct.
  • It refers to "said".
  • You cannot add a question tag referring to "had taken part".
  • With certain exceptions not relevant here, question tags refer to the main verb.
  • ", the past perfect is correct (backshifting of reported speech).
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1 Answers
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The question tag is correct. It refers to "said". You cannot add a question tag referring to "had taken part". With certain exceptions not relevant here, question tags refer to the main verb.

Assuming the original statement was "I have taken part in ...", the past perfect is correct (backshifting of reported speech).

"taken part in the Chinese course" may not be the most natural
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