How to teach QUESTION TAGS, aka Tag Questions or Tail Questions.
Find this video's companion resources at [ Ссылка ], including printouts, slideshows, and bonus notes.

We usually use Question Tags to ask a question when we think we know the answer (or want the answer to be something in particular) and are asking for confirmation. Our intonation (voice; pitch) goes up at the end if we are hesitant or uncertain, but if we are more confident, our intonation goes down at the end, like it would for declarative sentences.

The three parts to Question Tags are these:
1. repeat the same AUXILIARY VERB from the original clause; with multiple, repeat the first; with none, use a form of 'do'
2. balance the positives and negatives
3. finish with a PRONOUN that matches the subject.

An alternate form of Question Tags involves rhetorical questions, which might be expressing irony or imperatives (asking someone to do something). In these cases, do not balance the positives and negatives.

There should be a comma between the first clause and the tag, and the sentence should end with a question mark (although some imperative rhetorical questions can end with an exclamation mark).

--

0:00 Introduction
0:31 Repeat the Auxiliary Verb
1:43 Balance +/-
2:27 Add a Pronoun
2:52 Intonation
4:01 Rhetorical Questions
5:03 Recap

--


[good for native-speaking learners as well as ESOL students]

Let us know in the comments how the method in this video has helped you and your students!


INSIGHTS TO ENGLISH creates videos and other resources to share alternate perspectives on various grammar topics. Presenting various approaches ensures that no student is left in the dark.

see more at [ Ссылка ]

свернуть