Mastering Tag Questions

“It’s just a small question at the end… isn’t it?”Tag questions are those quick follow-ups that native speakers sprinkle into everyday conversation to check information, invite agreement, or simply keep the talk flowing. In today’s post we’ll break down how they work, give you some hands-on practice, and share an easy café-style role-play you can use with friends or classmates.

1. What is a Tag Question?

A tag question is a mini-question tacked onto the end of a statement:

• You’re enjoying the blog, aren’t you?

• She can drive, can’t she?

The tag turns a statement into a quick confirmation prompt—perfect for sounding friendly and natural.

2. Two Golden Rules

If the statement is…	…your tag must be…	Example
Positive	Negative	You live in Osaka, don’t you?
Negative	Positive	She doesn’t like sushi, does she?

Use the same auxiliary (helping) verb that appears in the statement:

• They have finished, haven’t they?

• He can swim, can’t he?

No auxiliary in the sentence? Add do / does / did in the tag:

• You like jazz, don’t you?

• She went home, didn’t she?

Tip: Intonation matters! When you’re sure you’re right, your voice usually drops at the end (“It’s beautiful, isn’t it↓”). When you’re genuinely asking, your voice rises (“It’s beautiful, isn’t it↑?”).

3. Quick-Fire Practice 🔄

Fill in each blank with the correct tag.(Jot your answers in the comments—then check the key at the bottom!)

1. It’s cold today, ________?

2. She doesn’t eat meat, ________?

3. You live in Osaka, ________?

4. They went to the beach, ________?

5. He can speak English, ________?

6. We’re meeting at 6 p.m., ________?

7. You didn’t call her, ________?

8. This coffee is strong, ________?

9. She’s a teacher, ________?

10. You don’t like natto, ________?

4. Role-Play Café Scene ☕️

Grab two friends and act it out—then replay swapping roles or changing details.

Characters

• Miyuki – organized, logical

• Megumi – chatty, funny

• Misaki – kind, slightly forgetful

Setting: After-work catch-up at a café.

Miyuki: You brought your planner today, didn’t you, Megumi?

Megumi: I always carry it… except last Friday, didn’t I forget it then?

Misaki: You did, didn’t you? That’s why we missed the reservation.

Megumi: But I reminded you both this morning, didn’t I?

Miyuki: Yes, and you double-checked the time, didn’t you?

Misaki: I didn’t book the table this time, did I? So it’s not my fault!

Try this:• Read it once straight.• Read again, changing the intonation to show confidence vs. real questions.• Finally, swap in your own details—different plans, locations, or classmates.

5. Conversation Starters 🎤

Use one of these to spark a chat—answer with a tag or ask a follow-up tag:

• You’ve been to Tokyo before, haven’t you?

• You like spicy food, don’t you?

• You have studied jazz, haven’t you?

• You can sing pretty well, can’t you?

• You don’t like cold weather, do you?

• You watched a movie last weekend, didn’t you?

• This lesson is helpful, isn’t it?

• You’ve tried karaoke, haven’t you?

• You’ve never been late for class, have you?

• It’s fun practicing English like this, isn’t it?

6. Answer Key ✔️

1. isn’t it 

2. does she 

3. don’t you

4. didn’t they

5. can’t he 

6. aren’t we

7. did you 

8. isn’t it 

9. isn’t she

10. do you

Final Thoughts

Tag questions are tiny but mighty tools. Sprinkle them into daily conversation and you’ll sound more natural, encourage interaction, and check information politely. Practice the café role-play, leave your exercise answers or your own tag questions in the comments, and—while you’re here—subscribe so you never miss a new English tip… will you?😉

Happy learning, and see you in the next post!