Grammar: Clause: Using clauses to interact
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Tag questions |
What are tag questions?
A tag question is formed by adding a mini-question to a Statement:
| They are at home today, aren't they? |  |
We usually use tag questions in speech, rather than in writing. Note the two possible intonation patterns:
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There are different meanings associated with each intonation pattern. The meaning conveyed by the rising intonation in the first example is that the speaker is not really sure. A similar meaning could be expressed with the more regular form for a Question:
[rising] They are at home today, aren't they? = Are they at home today?
The meaning conveyed by the falling intonation in the second example is that the speaker is sure, and is only seeking confirmation of what they believe, or stating something which is shared knowledge. A similar meaning could be expressed with a Statement:
[falling] They are at home today, aren't they? = I think that they are at home today.
Note that the terms Statement and Question are written with a capital to remind us that they are functional terms.
Tell me more ... The form of tag questions |
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