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Hello everyone,Can we call the following statement "a negative question"? - Isn't he?Or is it only"a tag question"?Regards,JA

Clive · Accepted Answer

It can be either, depending on the punctuation and use of a capital.

CalifJim · Answer

Joseph ACan we call the following statement "a negative question"? - Isn't he?

Yes, though of course its meaning depends on what was said earlier in the conversation. Note that "Isn't he?" is a response to a negative sentence. It is not said by the same person that said the negative sentence.

— Tom's decided he's not going to South America this year.
— Isn't he? I'm surprised to hear it.

— Although he's been on a diet for three months, Ken isn't losing any weight.
— Isn't he? That must be disappointing for him.

Joseph AOr is it only"a tag question"?

To be a tag question it has to be attached to an affirmative sentence with a comma. It is said by the same person that said the affirmative sentence.

Alan is ready, isn't he? / Fred is going too, isn't he? / Bob is a carpenter, isn't he?

CJ

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