Logic of question tags?

[Milka]

Test No. incompl/elem-35 "Question Tags"

Hello, I have some problems with understand the logic from this taps. Please can you help me to understand it.

[Alan]

Hi Milka,

I can perhaps explain the pattern of these tags. The idea is that the speaker is asking for agreement, support or confirmation from the listener. The pattern is that if the first part is positive, the second part is negative and vice versa - both parts are in the same tense. So we have: You understand (positive present), don't you? (negative interrogative present) You didn't hear, did you?

Hope this is a little clearer.

Alan
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[Milka]

Hello Alan,
Thanks a lot. Yes now I understand the pattern. Just one more question this kind of question I can use every time in every context or just in special situation.
Thanks again.

[Alan]

Hi Milka,

Yes, you can use it in any context although of course it is a device used in conversation. It's equivalent to expressions like: isn't that true? isn't it? used in other European languages.

Best wishes

Alan
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[Maria Sarmento]

Now I think I got the logic of the answer. The question tag was related to the first part of the sentence "you aren't...."

[Pradeep Bhandari]

Hi,

If I say: I should have gone over there. what should I add in my question tag: Should not I or Should not have I?

Thanks,
Pradeep Bhandari

[Kitosdad]

" I should have gone over there,.... shouldn't I.?"

" I shouldn't have gone over there, ... should I ?"

" We shouldn't wake Alan up too early on a Sunday, ...... should we ?"

Kitosdad.
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[Hadeer]

Dear Alan,
How are you dear?
Concerning tag questions, we in the Arabic countries have the same structure as “tag question “in English, and it is a good opportunity to make comparison between the two subjects to our students. Thanks a lot for the lesson and God bless you
Hadeer

[Aryam]

Hi all
Those questions tag are so confusing, but I understand now how can I used it..
Thank you