Asking and answering questions
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Using tag questions | page 4 of 6 |
Tag questions consisting of positive declarative + positive tag
Although not many coursebooks describe this category, it is possible to have a tag question consisting of a positive declarative and a positive tag:
So he's still hanging around, is he? (Bank of English)
They've been studying very hard, have they? (Bank of English)
These tag questions typically have a rising tone on the question tag, and are often used to check whether the speaker's conclusion about something, which s/he has arrived at by inferencing, is correct or not. They are also sometimes used to show interest:
A: I don't know whether you know Arenal. It's quite commercialised but it's very nice that time of year, April. It's not too busy at that time. B: It's quite hot then, is it? ( ) A: Mm, it's very nice. (Bank of English)
A: It's not a huge hotel but it's very nice. B: No, I like that. That's bed and breakfast, is it? ( ) A: No, that's full board. (Bank of English)
Introduction
Tag questions consisting of positive declarative + positive tag
