TAG ENDINGS
Tag endings are
simply endings added or “tagged” on to the end of a statement that turn it into
a question. They are usually worded
negatively if the sentence is positive:
“It is hot, isn’t it?” or they are worded positively if the sentence is
negative: “It isn’t cold, is it?”
The intonation will
tell you if the speaker is asking a question or making a statement. If the tag ends with final upward
inflection, the speaker is asking a question and wants an answer from the
listener. If the tag goes down at the
end, the speaker is making a statement and may want confirmation of what he
said.
Set the cake on the
left side of the table, okay? (final upward inflection)
Set the cake on the
left side of the table, okay? (final downward inflection)
Cindy lives in a
very distant city, doesn’t she? (final
upward inflection)
Cindy lives in a very distant city, doesn’t she? (final downward inflection)