Partial inversion in question tags
General rules
Question tags are placed at the end of declarativeThe sentence type used to make statements; it can be an affirmative sentence or a negative sentence. E.g.: John likes squash a lot. Tim has no friends. sentences and are usually used in spoken language to keep up the flow of conversation. Most often affirmativeA declarative sentence indicating "yes"; also called a positive sentence. E.g.: John likes squash a lot. sentences are followed by negative tags and expect the answer yes.
"You are hungry, aren’t you?" "Yes, I am."
Negative sentences are usually followed by positive tags and expect the answer no.
"You cannot stay longer, can you?" "No, I really can’t."
We use rising intonation in the tag to express a real question (when we expect an answer). If the intonation falls, we don’t expect an answer but rather we just want to make sure if what we said was correct.
You are hungry, aren’t you? (with rising intonation = Are you hungry?)
You are hungry, aren’t you? (with falling intonation = You must be hungry.)
Sometimes we use positive tags after affirmative sentences to express interest, concern or to ask for confirmation.
So you’ve inherited a mansion, have you? (interest)
I must get there by ten, must I? (asking for confirmation)
ImperativeThe sentence type used to express suggestions, directions or orders. E.g.: Clean your shoes, will you?s
Shut up, will you?
Don’t speak like that, will you?
Suggestions
Let’s dance, shall we?
EVERYBODY, SOMEBODY, NOBODY, ANYBODY
Everybody likes her, don’t they?
Nobody knew the answer, did they? (negative statement with positive tag)
Anybody could do that, couldn’t they?
Somebody should do something about this, shouldn’t they?
EVERYTHING, SOMETHING, NOTHING, ANYTHING
Nothing could disturb her, could it?
AREN'T I?
I am late, aren’t I?
THERE IS/THERE ARE
There is something you want to say, isn’t there?
There weren’t any policemen at the demonstration, were there?
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