You did play tennis yesterday, did/didn't you?

[patran]

Dear teachers

In a English learning placement test at British Council, I put "didn't you" as the answer for the following sentence. I thought it should be "didn't you", but was told "did you" is the correct answer. I didnt have the time to ask the teachers there, as we were instructed to attend a course enrolment session immediately.

"You did play tennis yesterday, __________?"

Could like to know why it is "did you" in this case.

Cheers

Anthony

[Raymott]

Dear teachers

In a English learning placement test at British Council, I put "didn't you" as the answer for the following sentence. I thought it should be "didn't you", but was told "did you" is the correct answer. I didnt have the time to ask the teachers there, as we were instructed to attend a course enrolment session immediately.

"You did play tennis yesterday, __________?"

Could like to know why it is "did you" in this case.

Cheers

Anthony

The correct answer is "didn't you."
It's possible to repeat the question, "You did play tennis yesterday? Did you?" But that's not a tag question. I'd call that answer very unfair. It's a good example of why I don't like joining sentences with commas. Many people would accept "You did play tennis yesterday, did you?" for what I just wrote. Of course the intonation and the context are completely different with these sentences from one with "didn't you?" (in speech).
Anyhow, you say "you were told" the answer was "did you". Who told you?

[patran]

Dear Raymott, I think the the question MAYBE "You did play tennis yesterday? Did you?" I don't remember exactly. The answer "did you" was printed on the board for us (a bunch of students) to grade ourselves.

Regards

[5jj]

If you don't remember exactly, then it is hard for us to say whether what you were told was correct or not.

[cheer965]

You did play tennis yesterday, _______ ? (did/didn't you)
+ Ordinary answer must be 'didn't you' ( because it is a question tag)
+ According to the grammar book: " A practical English Grammar" by A.J Thomson and A.V Martinet - the answer may be 'did you' when the sentence is 'comment tag' (not a question tag).
This grammar book notes that: " Comment tags are formed with auxiliary verbs, just like question tags, but after an affirmative statement we use an ordinary interrogative tag; after a negative statement, we use a negative tag. A comment tag can be added to an affirmative statement. It then indicates that the speaker notes the fact."
Examples: You saw him, did you? = Oh, so you saw him.
You've found a job, have you? = Oh, so you found a job.
The explanation is extracted from "A practical English Grammar" book, I think you can know more about this with the grammar book.

With best wishes.

[Raymott]

You did play tennis yesterday, _______ ? (did/didn't you)
+ Ordinary answer must be 'didn't you' ( because it is a question tag)
+ According to the grammar book: " A practical English Grammar" by A.J Thomson and A.V Martinet - the answer may be 'did you' when the sentence is 'comment tag' (not a question tag).
This grammar book notes that: " Comment tags are formed with auxiliary verbs, just like question tags, but after an affirmative statement we use an ordinary interrogative tag; after a negative statement, we use a negative tag. A comment tag can be added to an affirmative statement. It then indicates that the speaker notes the fact."
Examples: You saw him, did you? = Oh, so you saw him.
You've found a job, have you? = Oh, so you found a job.
The explanation is extracted from "A practical English Grammar" book, I think you can know more about this with the grammar book.

With best wishes.

That's right. Comment tags - very good.
I don't think anyone's said what the question was yet. Surely that's pertinent if we are going to debate the answer.

[patran]

That's right. Comment tags - very good.
I don't think anyone's said what the question was yet. Surely that's pertinent if we are going to debate the answer.

So both "didn't you"and "did you" are correct. It all depends on the meaning that the speaker wants to convey?

[Raymott]

So both "didn't you"and "did you" are correct. It all depends on the meaning that the speaker wants to convey?

Yes, they are correct sentences. Whether they are correct answers depends on the question.