Question tags: when to say ‘is it?’ at the end of a sentence

Do you know when to use is it? at the end of a phrase in English?

Is it? is a question tag. Question tags can be a little difficult to use in English, but once you understand the rules, they are very useful.

The Coffee Break English Show is a podcast series of bite-sized, friendly conversations to help you understand some difficult topics in English. In the latest episode, Josie and Mark talk about the rules for how to use question tags, and give some examples to practise.

Continue reading to find out more and why not listen to the podcast as you go?

So, now we can start looking at question tags, can’t we?

How to use question tags

Question tags are like “mini-questions”, which we add onto the end of phrases or sentences to check that the information we are giving is correct.

For example, if I think it is not raining outside, but I want to check that I am right, I can say:

It’s not raining, is it?

Is it? is a question tag. All question tags are made of a verb and the subject from the main sentence.

When the first verb in the sentence is in the negative form, the question tag is in the affirmative form, like in the example above. However, when the first verb is in the affirmative form, the question tag is in the negative form, like this:

It’s raining outside, isn’t it?

Now, let’s talk about how to make question tags. The rules depend on the first verb in the main sentence.

Question tags with the verb ‘be’

When the first verb in the main sentence is be, this is the verb that we use in the question tag. Here are some examples:

She is a doctor, isn’t she?

We are not late, are we?

You’re going running this evening, aren’t you?

I’m not wrong, am I?

Question tags with modal verbs and auxiliary verbs

When the first verb in the main sentence is a modal verb or an auxiliary verb, we use this verb in the question tag.

Remember, modal verbs are verbs that we put before the main verb, to add a “flavour” of meaning, like possibility, obligation, or probability. Some examples are must, should, can, would and will.

Auxiliary verbs are verbs that we use to build verb tenses, like have.

Let’s look at some examples:

You can speak Spanish, can’t you?

You can’t tap dance, can you?

We should shut the door, shouldn’t we?

I shouldn’t go to bed late, should I?

You have been to Paris, haven’t you?

We haven’t seen that movie, have we?

Question tags with present simple verbs

When the first verb in the main sentence is in the present simple, we use do, does, don’t or doesn’t in the question tag. Here are some examples:

You like pizza, don’t you?

He doesn’t play the piano, does he?

Question tags with past simple verbs

When the first verb in the main sentence is in the past simple, we use did or didn’t in the question tag. Here are some examples:

You read that book, didn’t you?

You didn’t go to Spain, did you?

It’s your turn, isn’t it?

Now, let’s practise! Here are five sentences. Complete each of them with a question tag. The answers are at the end of this blog post, but don’t look until you’ve thought about the answers!

1. Mark is from Scotland, … ?
2. You don’t like fish, … ?
3. You can speak ten languages, … ?
4. Josie has never been skiing, … ?
5. They went to Manchester at the weekend, … ?

We’ve not finished already, have we?

Question tags can be difficult to think of fast when you are speaking, so why not review the rules and write your own example sentences using question tags?

If you found this post interesting, make sure you listen to the full podcast episode with Mark and Josie on The Coffee Break English Show. We will release more episodes soon, about some more useful topics! Subscribe to our podcast feed and our channel on YouTube to learn when the next episode is available.

Plus! To get regular free English lessons in your inbox, you can sign up for our email lessons. We regularly send short (coffee-break-sized) email lessons that will help you improve your English. You will also hear from Mark, the founder of Coffee Break Languages, giving advice for language learners at any level. Sign up below!

So, keep practising question tags! Remember that all English learners make mistakes, but people can usually still understand you. It’s all part of the language-learning journey.

Happy Coffee Breaking!

PS. Here are the answers to the test.

1. Mark is from Scotland, isn’t he?
2. You don’t like fish, do you?
3. You can speak ten languages, can’t you?
4. Josie has never been skiing, has she?
5. They went to Manchester at the weekend, didn’t they?

Listen to the podcast