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Juliewu1111 Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

Tag question with two clauses

Which one is correction?
A1. I think they have seen this movie, don't I?
A2. I think they have seen this movie, haven't they?

B1. He thinks we should come back soon, doesn't he?
B2. He thinks we should come back soon, shouldn't we?

Thanks for answering!
  

Top answer

A2 and B2 Though B2 is a valid sentence. Its logically wrong! " gives better meaning....

  • A2 and B2 Though B2 is a valid sentence.
  • Its logically wrong!
  • " gives better meaning....
  • i mean logically speaking....
  • /Sameer
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8 Answers
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A2 and B2

Though B2 is a valid sentence. Its logically wrong!

Something like: "He says we should go back soon, shouldn't we?" gives better meaning.... i mean logically speaking....

/Sameer
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Thank you Sameer
I am still confused.
Shouldn't we ask tag questions based on the main clause rather than the objective clause?
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"I think they have seen this movie, don't I?" --> Here if you are asking "dont I?" means "am I not thinking?" How can someone else know about your thoughts? [:^)] Hence in this type of scenario you must frame your tag question based on objective clause.

Similarly in this case,
"He thinks we should come back soon, doesn't he?" --> How will "we" know "his" thoughts??? [:^)]
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This makes sense. Then, can I learn it this way: if the main clause has the verbs meaning such as personal feelings, we can't ask tag questions based on the main clause. On the other hand, if the verbs in the main clause are action verbs, can we use it toe ask tag questions?

For example,
People said the earth was flat before, didn't they?
is it a correct sentence?

Tha
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Yes, if the main clause has action verbs, then you can use tag questions.

"People said the earth was flat before, didn't they?" is correct.
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That's right. just one correction
In the first clause the verb form "said" is not an action verb but a reporting verb.
other examples of reporting verbs are:
say tell promise etc...

Action verbs on the other hand include work, study, play, dance etc.

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The first quesion B is correct because when we have subject I we use the other section but the second is A
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The first question is B the second question is A

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