10.13 Grammar. Short answers and question tags.

Discuss the grammar with the other students. Which question tags are used with positive sentences? Negative tags. With negatives? Positive tags. And imperatives?

A more difficult question, because they are irregular. Grammarians are still divided on the correct tag. The answer is usually either ‘will’ or ‘won’t’. (Notice both parts are positive.) ‘Oh just shut up, will you!’ First person imperatives take ‘shall’ instead of ‘will’ just like ordinary questions. ‘Let’s take the night bus, shall we?’ Also notice: ‘I’ll get you a drink, shall I?’  

When does the intonation go up at the end of the sentence?

Usually when the question is a real one that needs a ‘real’ answer. ‘You haven’t got a pound, have you?’ is obviously a genuine question.

When does it go down?

Usually, when the question is a not a question at all. ‘I think that Giovanni is really nice, don’t you?’, is just a way of continuing the conversation, and doesn’t require a ‘real’ answer.

Which of the following is a real question that requires a real answer, and which is a normal sentence, that is made to sound a little bit more friendly?

You haven’t got the time, have you? (Real question.) Oh, I forgot. You haven’t got a watch, have you? (An affirmation, not a real question.)

Which would have rising intonation? The first question would.