QUESTION TAG Meaning and
Definition
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A question tag is a grammatical construction used in English language that turns a statement into a question, seeking confirmation or agreement from the listener. It typically consists of a declarative statement followed by a short interrogative tag, which is usually a positive or negative question form. The purpose of a question tag is to confirm or persuade the listener to affirm or negate the statement.
Question tags are formed by using an auxiliary verb or a modal verb from the statement in the question tag. The choice of the auxiliary verb or modal verb depends on the tense, aspect, and modality of the main statement. The question tag also reflects the subject-verb agreement.
For instance, in the statement "You like cats, don't you?", the question tag "don't you?" seeks confirmation or agreement regarding the statement "You like cats." The negative question tag is formed by using the auxiliary verb "do" in the negative form to match the positive statement. Alternatively, in the statement "She has finished her homework, hasn't she?", the question tag "hasn't she?" implies seeking confirmation or agreement about the completion of the homework by the subject "she."
Question tags are widely used in spoken English to engage the listener and elicit a response. They serve to soften statements, express politeness, or confirm mutual understanding between the speaker and the listener.
Common Misspellings for QUESTION TAG
- 1uestion tag
- 2uestion tag
- wuestion tag
- auestion tag
- qyestion tag
- qhestion tag
- qjestion tag
- qiestion tag
- q8estion tag
- q7estion tag
- quwstion tag
- qusstion tag
- qudstion tag
- qurstion tag
- qu4stion tag
- qu3stion tag
- queation tag
- queztion tag
- quextion tag
- quedtion tag
Etymology of QUESTION TAG
The term "question tag" is derived from the combination of the words "question" and "tag".
The word "question" originated from the Latin word "quaestio", which means "an inquiry or interrogation". It entered the English language in the 14th century, meaning "an expression of inquiry".
The word "tag" has a different etymology. It is derived from the Middle English word "tagge", which meant "a hanging end or pointed piece". Over time, it came to be associated with a small label or piece of paper attached to an item, serving as an identifier.
In the context of grammar, a "question tag" refers to a phrase added at the end of a sentence to seek agreement, confirmation, or assurance. The term combines elements from both words, denoting a short question or phrase attached to the end of a statement.
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