B. Encircle The Correct Tag 'question. The Doctor Cures The Patient, A. Isn't He B. Doesn't He C. Aren't They D. Do They 2. Ella Is Not Attending The Party, A. Isn't She B. Aren't They C. Does She D. Is She 3. Sampaguita Is Our National Flower, A.

Mar 9, 2025 by ADMIN 248 views

Understanding the Correct Use of Question Tags in English Grammar

Introduction

In English grammar, question tags are used to seek confirmation or agreement from the listener or reader. They are typically used at the end of a sentence and are formed by combining a verb with a pronoun. However, using the correct question tag can be a bit tricky, especially for non-native speakers. In this article, we will explore the correct use of question tags in English grammar, focusing on the difference between "isn't he" and "doesn't he," as well as other common question tags.

The Correct Use of "isn't he" and "doesn't he"

The question tag "isn't he" is used to seek confirmation or agreement from a male subject, while "doesn't he" is used to seek confirmation or agreement from a male subject in a negative sentence. For example:

"The doctor cures the patient, isn't he?" (Here, "isn't he" is used to seek confirmation or agreement from the listener, assuming the doctor is a male.)
"The doctor doesn't cure the patient, doesn't he?" (Here, "doesn't he" is used to seek confirmation or agreement from the listener, assuming the doctor is a male and the sentence is negative.)

On the other hand, "aren't they" is used to seek confirmation or agreement from a plural subject, regardless of whether the sentence is positive or negative. For example:

"The doctors cure the patient, aren't they?" (Here, "aren't they" is used to seek confirmation or agreement from the listener, assuming the doctors are a plural subject.)
"The doctors don't cure the patient, aren't they?" (Here, "aren't they" is used to seek confirmation or agreement from the listener, assuming the doctors are a plural subject and the sentence is negative.)

Using Question Tags with Singular and Plural Subjects

When using question tags with singular and plural subjects, it's essential to remember the following rules:

For singular male subjects, use "isn't he" or "doesn't he" depending on whether the sentence is positive or negative.
For singular female subjects, use "isn't she" or "doesn't she" depending on whether the sentence is positive or negative.
For plural subjects, use "aren't they" regardless of whether the sentence is positive or negative.

For example:

"The doctor cures the patient, isn't he?" (Here, "isn't he" is used to seek confirmation or agreement from the listener, assuming the doctor is a male.)
"The doctor doesn't cure the patient, doesn't he?" (Here, "doesn't he" is used to seek confirmation or agreement from the listener, assuming the doctor is a male and the sentence is negative.)
"The doctors cure the patient, aren't they?" (Here, "aren't they" is used to seek confirmation or agreement from the listener, assuming the doctors are a plural subject.)
"The doctors don't cure the patient, aren't they?" (Here, "aren't they" is used to seek confirmation or agreement from the listener, assuming the doctors are a plural subject and the sentence is negative.)

Using Question Tags with Collective Nouns

When using question tags with collective nouns, such as "team," "family," or "group," it's essential to remember that these nouns can be either singular or plural depending on the context. For example:

"The team is winning, isn't it?" (Here, "isn't it" is used to seek confirmation or agreement from the listener, assuming the team is a singular subject.)
"The team aren't winning, are they?" (Here, "aren't they" is used to seek confirmation or agreement from the listener, assuming the team is a plural subject.)

Conclusion

Using question tags in English grammar can be a bit tricky, but by following the rules outlined in this article, you can improve your understanding and use of question tags correctly. Remember to use "isn't he" or "doesn't he" for singular male subjects, "isn't she" or "doesn't she" for singular female subjects, and "aren't they" for plural subjects. With practice and patience, you'll become more confident in using question tags in your everyday language.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the difference between "isn't he" and "doesn't he"? A: "Isn't he" is used to seek confirmation or agreement from a male subject, while "doesn't he" is used to seek confirmation or agreement from a male subject in a negative sentence.
Q: What is the difference between "aren't they" and "don't they"? A: "Aren't they" is used to seek confirmation or agreement from a plural subject, regardless of whether the sentence is positive or negative.
Q: How do I use question tags with collective nouns? A: Collective nouns can be either singular or plural depending on the context. Use "isn't it" for singular collective nouns and "aren't they" for plural collective nouns.

Example Sentences

"The doctor cures the patient, isn't he?" (Here, "isn't he" is used to seek confirmation or agreement from the listener, assuming the doctor is a male.)
"The doctors cure the patient, aren't they?" (Here, "aren't they" is used to seek confirmation or agreement from the listener, assuming the doctors are a plural subject.)
"The team is winning, isn't it?" (Here, "isn't it" is used to seek confirmation or agreement from the listener, assuming the team is a singular subject.)
"The team aren't winning, aren't they?" (Here, "aren't they" is used to seek confirmation or agreement from the listener, assuming the team is a plural subject.)

Tips and Tricks

Practice using question tags in your everyday language to improve your understanding and use of question tags correctly.
Pay attention to the subject-verb agreement in the sentence and use the correct question tag accordingly.
Use question tags to seek confirmation or agreement from the listener or reader, rather than to ask a direct question.

Conclusion

Introduction

In our previous article, we explored the correct use of question tags in English grammar, focusing on the difference between "isn't he" and "doesn't he," as well as other common question tags. In this article, we will answer some frequently asked questions about question tags to help you better understand and use them correctly.

Q: What is the difference between "isn't he" and "doesn't he"?

A: "Isn't he" is used to seek confirmation or agreement from a male subject, while "doesn't he" is used to seek confirmation or agreement from a male subject in a negative sentence. For example:

"The doctor cures the patient, isn't he?" (Here, "isn't he" is used to seek confirmation or agreement from the listener, assuming the doctor is a male.)
"The doctor doesn't cure the patient, doesn't he?" (Here, "doesn't he" is used to seek confirmation or agreement from the listener, assuming the doctor is a male and the sentence is negative.)

Q: What is the difference between "aren't they" and "don't they"?

A: "Aren't they" is used to seek confirmation or agreement from a plural subject, regardless of whether the sentence is positive or negative. For example:

"The doctors cure the patient, aren't they?" (Here, "aren't they" is used to seek confirmation or agreement from the listener, assuming the doctors are a plural subject.)
"The doctors don't cure the patient, aren't they?" (Here, "aren't they" is used to seek confirmation or agreement from the listener, assuming the doctors are a plural subject and the sentence is negative.)

Q: How do I use question tags with collective nouns?

A: Collective nouns can be either singular or plural depending on the context. Use "isn't it" for singular collective nouns and "aren't they" for plural collective nouns. For example:

"The team is winning, isn't it?" (Here, "isn't it" is used to seek confirmation or agreement from the listener, assuming the team is a singular subject.)
"The team aren't winning, aren't they?" (Here, "aren't they" is used to seek confirmation or agreement from the listener, assuming the team is a plural subject.)

Q: Can I use question tags with singular female subjects?

A: Yes, you can use question tags with singular female subjects. For example:

"The doctor cures the patient, isn't she?" (Here, "isn't she" is used to seek confirmation or agreement from the listener, assuming the doctor is a female.)
"The doctor doesn't cure the patient, doesn't she?" (Here, "doesn't she" is used to seek confirmation or agreement from the listener, assuming the doctor is a female and the sentence is negative.)

Q: Can I use question tags with plural female subjects?

A: Yes, you can use question tags with plural female subjects. For example:

"The doctors cure the patient, aren't they?" (Here, "aren't they" is used to seek confirmation or agreement from the listener, assuming the doctors are a plural subject.)
"The doctors don't cure the patient, aren't they?" (Here, "aren't they" is used to seek confirmation or agreement from the listener, assuming the doctors are a plural subject and the sentence is negative.)

Q: Can I use question tags with abstract subjects?

A: Yes, you can use question tags with abstract subjects. For example:

"Happiness is a good thing, isn't it?" (Here, "isn't it" is used to seek confirmation or agreement from the listener, assuming happiness is an abstract subject.)
"Happiness isn't a good thing, isn't it?" (Here, "isn't it" is used to seek confirmation or agreement from the listener, assuming happiness is an abstract subject and the sentence is negative.)

Q: Can I use question tags with negative sentences?

A: Yes, you can use question tags with negative sentences. For example:

"The doctor doesn't cure the patient, doesn't he?" (Here, "doesn't he" is used to seek confirmation or agreement from the listener, assuming the doctor is a male and the sentence is negative.)
"The doctors don't cure the patient, aren't they?" (Here, "aren't they" is used to seek confirmation or agreement from the listener, assuming the doctors are a plural subject and the sentence is negative.)

Q: Can I use question tags with sentences that have a different verb tense?

A: Yes, you can use question tags with sentences that have a different verb tense. For example:

"The doctor will cure the patient, will he?" (Here, "will he" is used to seek confirmation or agreement from the listener, assuming the doctor is a male and the sentence is in the future tense.)
"The doctors have cured the patient, have they?" (Here, "have they" is used to seek confirmation or agreement from the listener, assuming the doctors are a plural subject and the sentence is in the past perfect tense.)

Conclusion

Tips and Tricks

Practice using question tags in your everyday language to improve your understanding and use of question tags correctly.
Pay attention to the subject-verb agreement in the sentence and use the correct question tag accordingly.
Use question tags to seek confirmation or agreement from the listener or reader, rather than to ask a direct question.

Example Sentences

"The doctor cures the patient, isn't he?" (Here, "isn't he" is used to seek confirmation or agreement from the listener, assuming the doctor is a male.)
"The doctors cure the patient, aren't they?" (Here, "aren't they" is used to seek confirmation or agreement from the listener, assuming the doctors are a plural subject.)
"The team is winning, isn't it?" (Here, "isn't it" is used to seek confirmation or agreement from the listener, assuming the team is a singular subject.)
"The team aren't winning, aren't they?" (Here, "aren't they" is used to seek confirmation or agreement from the listener, assuming the team is a plural subject.)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the difference between "isn't he" and "doesn't he"? A: "Isn't he" is used to seek confirmation or agreement from a male subject, while "doesn't he" is used to seek confirmation or agreement from a male subject in a negative sentence.
Q: What is the difference between "aren't they" and "don't they"? A: "Aren't they" is used to seek confirmation or agreement from a plural subject, regardless of whether the sentence is positive or negative.
Q: How do I use question tags with collective nouns? A: Collective nouns can be either singular or plural depending on the context. Use "isn't it" for singular collective nouns and "aren't they" for plural collective nouns.