Grammar: Clause: Using clauses to interact
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Tag questions | |
Giving answers to tag questions
Very often when a speaker uses a tag question, they do not actually require an answer. Note how the speaker continues speaking after this tag question:
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| It's a problem, isn't it, and we're going to have to think of a solution. | |
In situations when an answer is expected, it is very important to give the correct answer. The answer should be to the proposition, not to the tag:
| Question: | They are at home today, aren't they? | |
| Answer: | Yes. [they are at home] |
| Answer: | No. [they are not at home] |
Keep in mind the two possible intonation patterns:
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Note what happens in a negative tag question. The expected answer is no:
| Question: | They are not at home today, are they?
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| Answer: | No. [they are not at home] |
In fact it would be very odd to answer yes if you know that they are at home. In this case you would probably answer more fully, because you are contradicting the speaker:
Oh, they are at home.
| For information about some of the problems that students have when giving answers to tag questions, click here: |  |
Tell me more ... What are tag questions |
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