Unit 11.1
Question Tags after Imperatives
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Introduction
A question tag is a short question at the end of a sentence that we use to check information, ask for confirmation or agreement.
Imperative clauses are used when people tell someone else to do something (an advice, a suggestion, a request, a command etc.).
We use question tags after imperatives to ask people to do things in a more polite way (instead of giving orders).
Form
Question tag after imperatives have this main structure:
Clause + comma (,) + question tag + ?
If the clause is positive, we find: can’t you?, couldn’t you?, won’t you?, wouldn’t you?
If the clause is negative, we find: can you?, could you?, wll you?, would you?
Example
- Describe the criminal’s face, can’t you?
- Don’t help him follow the clue, can you?
- Confess the truth, couldn’t you?
- She is talking about discrimination. Listen, won’t you?
- Don’t report the tax crime, would you?
Use
We use question tags after imperatives to ask people to do things in a more polite way (instead of giving orders).
We use can, could, will and would for orders.
NOTE: We do not use will for invitations.
Summary
We can use a question tag after imperatives to ask people to do things in a more polite way.
The question tags we use include: can, could, will and would.
The main structure is: we start with the clause followed by a comma and the question tag (the sentence ends with a question mark).
For example:
— “Clean you room, won’t you?” = The positive imperative clause is followed by the negative question tag won’t you?
— “Do not disturb mrs. Smith, could you?” = The negative imperative clause is followed by the positive question tag could you?
Let’s revise this content within the {Form} section. Take a look at the {Example} section that shows its use within a context.
Exercises
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