question tags - rarely, seldom

[RonBee]

I don't think "One doesn't see such a beautiful sunset too often, does one?" is natural in speech. More likely:

It sure is a beautiful sunset, isn't it?

~R

[Lenka]

Originally Posted by RonBee

I don't think "One doesn't see such a beautiful sunset too often, does one?" is natural in speech. More likely:

It sure is a beautiful sunset, isn't it?

~R

Ahhh! I see! It would sound weird, if I added the tag to it, because the sentence sounds too formal, am I right? One does not use question tags in a (by the way, should I use the article here or should I leave it out?) formal register, does he?

[RonBee]

Originally Posted by Lenka

Ahhh! I see! It would sound weird, if I added the tag to it, because the sentence sounds too formal, am I right? One does not use question tags in a (by the way, should I use the article here or should I leave it out?) formal register, does he?

I am not sure about that (in a formal register is perfectly fine), but I know that the expression is not natural in speech. (I left out the not previously, and you seem to have caught that error. I am thankful for that.)

I have stated on this forum several times how important context is. I imagine it was context (the following sentence) that helped you catch the error in my post. Am I right?

~R

[Casiopea]

Originally Posted by Lenka

Ahhh! I see! It would sound weird, if I added the tag [does one?] to it, because the sentence sounds too formal, am I right? One does not use question tags in a ... formal register, does he?

Aside from generic one and gendered he, there's the more modern form, you:

Ex: You don't see beautiful sunsets like that very often, do you?

[RonBee]

It's quite hot these days, isn't it?

[engee30]

Originally Posted by RonBee

It's quite hot these days, isn't it?

No, it isn't, I'm afraid. (I mean here, where I am now, in England.)

All I can add is that you can use double-negative tag questions, but their meaning is quite different to the meaning dealt with in this thread:

You never help me with the shopping, don't you? (expresses irritation)

The intonation is also important in such sentences.

___________________________
NOTE:
Bear in mind I'm not a teacher!

[Casiopea]

Originally Posted by engee30

You never help me with the shopping, don't you? (expresses irritation)

Is it considered grammatical (i.e., meaningful) in British English? As a North American speaker, I can't seem to figure out what the speaker is trying to say.

[Lenka]

Originally Posted by RonBee

I am not sure about that (in a formal register is perfectly fine), but I know that the expression is not natural in speech. (I left out the not previously, and you seem to have caught that error. I am thankful for that.)

I have stated on this forum several times how important context is. I imagine it was context (the following sentence) that helped you catch the error in my post. Am I right?

~R

I don't know what you're talking about at all!
I haven't noticed you making a mistake. (I hope the sentence is correct, although I am not too sure about it. )


Do you mean the following sentence?

Originally Posted by RonBee

I don't think "One doesn't see such a beautiful sunset too often, does one?" is natural in speech. More likely:

It sure is a beautiful sunset, isn't it?

~R

You said "I don't... natural" which means "I do think... unnatural...", doesn't it?
Or... which sentence did you mean? I can't really find any mistakes in any of your posts!

Originally Posted by Lenka

One does not use question tags in a (by the way, should I use the article here or should I leave it out?) formal register, does he?

By the way, when the subject of the main sentence is the word "one", what is the subject of the question tag? Should I say "He or she"? Did I write it correctly? Or should I use the "one" also in the question tag?

Originally Posted by Casiopea

Aside from generic one and gendered he, there's the more modern form, you:

Ex: You don't see beautiful sunsets like that very often, do you?

Thank you, Casiopea.

Are there any other generic pronouns? For example, is it possible to say "man" instead of "one"?

[engee30]

Originally Posted by Casiopea

Is it considered grammatical (i.e., meaningful) in British English? As a North American speaker, I can't seem to figure out what the speaker is trying to say.

It really is! I'll try to provide you with some facts about that based on grammar books or texts.

[Casiopea]

Man, as in mankind, the human race, works, as does the more preferred term these days humankind--at least academically--but is that the meaning you intended, to refer to people as a race?

Ex: Man(kind) sure doesn't see sunsets like that very often, do they?

Ex: People sure don't see sunsets like that very often, do they?

Ex: A man sure doesn't see sunsets like that very often, does he?

Ex: A woman sure doesn't see sunsets like that very often, does she?

Ex: One sure doesn't see sunsets like that very often, does one?

Ex: We sure don't see sunsets like that very often, do we?

Ex: You sure don't see sunsets like that very often, do you?