Writers Abroad Magazine Issue 3 September 2015 | Page 35

WRITERS ABROAD MAGAZINE

English Grammar
In Bite Size Pieces by Angela Williams
Question tags are often used as a way of
keeping the conversation going and showing
interest rather than posing direct questions.
The auxiliary verb in the affirmative part of the
sentence, (be, do, will, can, have etc) is used
as a negative in the question tag. If there is no
auxiliary verb, we use the verb do in the
question tag.




You're new around here, aren't you?
He's from Denmark, isn't he?
Mr Smith collects stamps, doesn't he?

If the first part of the sentence is a negative however, then the rule is reversed.




You don't eat meat, do you?
The new teacher's not local, is he?
I don't like this colour, do you?

Ups
Sometimes question tags are used to check information, rather than just jollying the
conversation along. Then the speaker uses an upward inflection at the end of the
sentence to stress it's a question
And Downs
If it's a confirming tag then the speaker's voice lowers at the end of the sentence. E.g.
Lovely day, isn't it! Here the speaker is looking for mutual agreement rather than
asking a question.
Innit
Some groups have simplified the question tag rule and use the one-size-fits-all, innit.
It's a lot easier because you don't have to consider the subject of the sentence or the
auxiliary verb. Ali G uses innit all the time and Lorraine Chase used it first in her famous
Campari advert while she was relaxing by the pool. That Cockney sparrow exploited
her dumb image to the full and “Nice here, innit,” became her catchphrase. Innit has
moved into general urban slang and is only ever used to confirm or agree. Ghanaian
musician, Gasmilla even wrote a song called Innit. I doubt if this simplification will ever
move into mainstream English. But then again I could be wrong, innit!

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