tag questions

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What are the different meaning among sentences of tag questions?Tom is a really far-out person, isn't he.Tom is a really far-out person, isn't he?Tom isn't a really far-out person, is he?Thanks!Lynn

Philip · Accepted Answer

Lynn3What are the different meaning among sentences of tag questions?

Tom is a really far-out person, isn't he.

Tom is a really far-out person, isn't he?

Tom isn't a really far-out person, is he?

Thanks!

Lynn

Tag questions are simply a way of asking for affirmation of what was said. Use negative after a positivie sentence and vice versa. Your sentences are all correct. I think the use of '?' is debatable. I would use it, myself.

Pieanne · Answer

I would use it too.  <img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' alt='Emotion: smile'/>

Lynn3 · Answer

How about

Tom is a really far-out person, isn't he. ((((this is not a questions mark. It is a period.)))

Lynn

Anonymous · Answer

Thnaks Lynn3 for an important topic.

I'm student ......

Could you tell me about its tag question?

Waeel · Answer

Thnaks Lynn3 for an important topic.

I'm student ......

Could you tell me about its tag question?

Clive · Answer

Hi guys,

I'd like to add some comments.

Tom is a really far-out person, isn't he. It looks very odd to me without a question mark. I'd always put one. After all, it's called a tag question.

Tom is a really far-out person, isn't he? I'm expecting agreement with the main statement, ie that he is far-out.

Tom isn't a really far-out person, is he? I'm expecting agreement with the main statement, ie that he isn't far-out.

Best wishes, Clive

Philip · Answer

Upon further consideration, I'd like to add the following. It seems to me that inflection (or not) could indicate the use of the question mark rather than the period.

Mark's a slob isn't he! (I'm sure you agree with me....not really asking.)

Mark's coming tomorrow night, isn't he? (I have some doubt, so I'm asking.)

The same with the negative.

Mark isn't a slob, is he! (Someone said he was, and I disagree; I want you to say I'm right.)

Mark isn't coming tomorrow night, is he! (I thought he was going to, but I suspect he isn't, so i want confirmation - might indicate disappointment on my part.) Mark isn't coming tomorrow night, is he? (might also indicate disgust).

Lynn3 · Answer

Hi! Philip,

How about a period in a tag question???

The tones show go up or down in those sentences?

1. Mark's a slob, isn't he!

2. Mark's a slob, isn't he?

3. Mark's a slob, isn't he.

4. Mark's coming tomorrow night, isn't he?

5. Mark isn't coming tomorrow night, is he!

6. Mark isn't coming tomorrow night, is he?

Thanks,

Lynn

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