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Could anybody please explain why it is not correct to use "haven`t you" in this question tag?
"You have a BMW, dont`t you?"
Is it similar to the sentence below where need is used as a main verb not an auxiliary verb?
"They need to go now, don`t they?" is it correct anyway?
It's not incorrect. Who told you it was?Quote:
Originally Posted by lille82
I have the first sentence "You have a BMW, don't you?" in my test book. I was just trying to figure out why can't I use "haven't you".
Also I am not sure how question tags are formed in sentences with "need" as a main verb and "need" as an auxiliary.
In American English, "don't you?" is, I believe, more common. In British English, "haven't you?" is more common, though I am hearing "don't you?" more these days. With "You've/You have got ...", only "haven't you?" is acceptable.Quote:
Originally Posted by lille82
He needn't work, need he?Quote:
Also I am not sure how question tags are formed in sentences with "need" as a main verb and "need" as an auxiliary.
He doesn't need to work, does he?
That's correct, "don't you?" would be common in AmE.
I don't think I've ever said "need he?"
Thank you for your help.
What about the question tag in this sentence: One needs to be punctual.
If it is correct to say "He doesn`t need to work, does he?" then "They need to work, don't they?" is fine as well, isn't it?
...doesn't one?Quote:
Originally Posted by lille82
Yes. 'Need' is a lexical verb in those sentences, not a modal.Quote:
If it is correct to say "He doesn`t need to work, does he?" then "They need to work, don't they?" is fine as well, isn't it?