Guide to English Question Tags with Hindi Explanation and Sample Sentences

by

English question tags are a very important part of daily conversation and written English. They help us confirm information, seek agreement, or clarify something we are unsure about. Understanding how to use question tags correctly can make your English sound more natural and fluent. In this blog post, we will explore what question tags are, how to form them, and how to use them in different situations. We will also provide Hindi explanations and sample sentences to help Hindi speakers grasp the concept easily.

What Are Question Tags?

Question tags are short questions added at the end of a statement. They are used to confirm information visit https://digitalstudyhindi.com/ or ask for agreement. For example:

  • You are coming, aren’t you?

  • She can speak English, can’t she?

In Hindi, question tags can be understood as छोटे सवाल या पूछताछ के छोटे वाक्यांश जो कथन के अंत में लगते हैं। ये वाक्य की पुष्टि करने या सहमति मांगने के लिए होते हैं।

Why Use Question Tags?

Question tags are used for several reasons:

  1. To Confirm Information
    When you think something is true and want to check if it is, you use question tags.
    Example:

    • He’s your brother, isn’t he?
      (क्या वह आपका भाई है, है ना?)

  2. To Ask for Agreement
    When you want the listener to agree with you.
    Example:

    • It’s a beautiful day, isn’t it?
      (आज का दिन सुंदर है, है ना?)

  3. To Show Surprise or Doubt
    When you are surprised or doubtful about something.
    Example:

    • You didn’t go to the party, did you?
      (तुम पार्टी में नहीं गए, है ना?)

How to Form Question Tags

The formation of question tags depends on the auxiliary verb (helping verb) used in the main sentence and whether the sentence is positive or negative.

Positive Statement + Negative Tag

If the statement is positive, the question tag is negative.
Example:

  • She is coming, isn’t she?

  • They have finished, haven’t they?

Negative Statement + Positive Tag

If the statement is negative, the question tag is positive.
Example:

  • He isn’t here, is he?

  • They don’t like coffee, do they?

Rules for Forming Tags

  1. Use the same auxiliary verb from the main sentence in the tag.

  2. If the sentence doesn’t have an auxiliary verb, use do/does/did based on the tense.

  3. If the sentence has the verb “to be”, use it in the tag.

  4. The tag’s subject must agree with the main sentence’s subject.

Examples with Hindi Explanation

Let’s look at some examples with their Hindi meanings to understand better.

1. Using “to be” verb in question tags

  • You are a student, aren’t you?
    (तुम एक छात्र हो, है ना?)

  • He is not ready, is he?
    (वह तैयार नहीं है, है ना?)

2. Using auxiliary verbs (have/has)

  • She has finished her work, hasn’t she?
    (उसने अपना काम खत्म कर लिया है, है ना?)

  • They haven’t come yet, have they?
    (वे अभी तक नहीं आए हैं, है ना?)

3. Using do/does/did for sentences without auxiliary verbs

  • You like chocolate, don’t you?
    (तुम चॉकलेट पसंद करते हो, है ना?)

  • He didn’t call you, did he?
    (उसने तुम्हें कॉल नहीं किया, है ना?)

Special Cases in Question Tags

Sometimes, question tags don’t follow the usual rules. Here are some special cases:

1. Imperatives (Commands)

When we want someone to do something and add a question tag, we use will you, won’t you, would you, or can you.
Examples:

  • Close the door, will you?
    (दरवाज़ा बंद कर दो, ठीक है?)

  • Don’t be late, will you?
    (देर मत करना, ठीक है?)

2. Let’s Statements

For suggestions using “Let’s,” the question tag is always shall we.
Example:

  • Let’s go for a walk, shall we?
    (चलो टहलने चलते हैं, है ना?)

3. Negative Question Tags with “I am”

When the main sentence has “I am,” the tag is aren’t I (although grammatically it seems odd, it is widely used).
Example:

  • I am early, aren’t I?
    (मैं जल्दी आया हूँ, है ना?)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Matching the Auxiliary Verb Correctly

Incorrect:

  • She likes ice cream, does she?
    Correct:

  • She likes ice cream, doesn’t she?

2. Using Double Negatives

Avoid using negative words both in the statement and in the tag.
Incorrect:

  • You don’t like coffee, don’t you?
    Correct:

  • You don’t like coffee, do you?

3. Using the Wrong Subject

The subject in the tag must match the subject of the main sentence.
Incorrect:

  • The boys are playing, isn’t he?
    Correct:

  • The boys are playing, aren’t they?

Practice Sentences with Hindi Explanation

Try to form the correct question tags for these sentences:

  1. She is your sister, _____?
    (वह आपकी बहन है, है ना?)

  2. They don’t know the answer, _____?
    (वे उत्तर नहीं जानते, है ना?)

  3. You have finished your homework, _____?
    (तुमने अपना होमवर्क खत्म कर लिया है, है ना?)

  4. He can swim well, _____?
    (वह अच्छी तरह तैर सकता है, है ना?)

  5. Let’s start the meeting, _____?
    (चलिए मीटिंग शुरू करते हैं, है ना?)

Answers

  1. isn’t she?

  2. do they?

  3. haven’t you?

  4. can’t he?

  5. shall we?