#1  
Old 23-May-2004, 15:22
manishrvarma
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default Question tags

Hello,
I am Naseema, english teacher for the secondary level.

Recently we had a discussion on question tags, I would like to get clarified whether the statement " Let him go". can we use any question tag for this.
Please respond at the earliest.
Thank Q
  #2  
Old 23-May-2004, 15:32
Editor, UsingEnglish.com
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Posts: 34,357
Home Country: UK
Native Language: British English
Current Location: Philippines
Member Type: English Teacher
Default

You could add the tag 'will you?'.
  #3  
Old 25-May-2004, 15:12
manishrvarma
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by tdol
You could add the tag 'will you?'.

Dear tdol thanks for an early reply.

If so the following statement should have a question tag "Let the convict be hanged to death".

What question tag can we use here.

As per my knowledge a question tag should justify a statement. It is used to confirm the statement but not to take the permission.

Kindly once again review your reply.

Wishes
Naseema
  #4  
Old 26-May-2004, 12:44
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 67
Member Type: English Teacher
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by tdol
You could add the tag 'will you?'.
į

In this case I'd have to suggest you use the negative

Won't you?

Remember, question tags are affirmative if the statement they are based on is negative and vice-versa.
  #5  
Old 26-May-2004, 12:57
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 67
Member Type: English Teacher
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by manishrvarma
Quote:
Originally Posted by tdol
You could add the tag 'will you?'.

Dear tdol thanks for an early reply.

If so the following statement should have a question tag "Let the convict be hanged to death".

What question tag can we use here.

As per my knowledge a question tag should justify a statement. It is used to confirm the statement but not to take the permission.

Kindly once again review your reply.

Wishes
Naseema
In this case I believe the same question tag should responsibility, obe used (in negative because the statement is affirmative).

The reason we use the future is because the original statement is an imperative, so it is something that is still to come.

In this case, the reason you find responsibility (not exactly permission) is because it is an imperative, and the person doing the action will be held responsible. But the speaker is also searching confirmation. An answer is expected (unless used sarcastically), because we don't know if this order will be followed or no.

Let the convict hang to death, won't you?
-No I won't let it happen.
-Yes, that's what he deserves.

Let him go, won't you?
-Of course not. He has responsibilities.
-Yes, I think I will.
  #6  
Old 26-May-2004, 14:53
manishrvarma
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default

thanks for clearing my doubt

good wishes
Naseem
  #7  
Old 26-May-2004, 15:30
manishrvarma
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Sir,
Is question tag asked as a question?or to confirm the statement made. Is there any difference between the statement let him go or lets go.

If a judge has passed this statement whom will he ask for the confirmation. I think it is a confirmed order given by a higher authority and not by an subordinate.

Naseem
  #8  
Old 26-May-2004, 17:27
Editor, UsingEnglish.com
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Posts: 34,357
Home Country: UK
Native Language: British English
Current Location: Philippines
Member Type: English Teacher
Default

A question tag depends on the intonation; it can either be to confirm or to ask a genuine question.

Let him go= an order
Let's go = a suggestion

I'm not sure what you mean about the judge. If a judge is not sure, they will turn to a higher court.
  #9  
Old 02-Jun-2004, 15:17
manishrvarma
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Sir,
Is there any difference between a question and a questiion tag?
Is there any difference between let and let's.
According to me, let's is an auxillary verb which is used for a polite request for which the confirmation question tag is ' Shall we?'. As in your reply you stated that let him go is an order. If we have to use the same sentence to seek the permission, then we have to use a question and not a question tag. If it is an order we do not have to use a question tag.
  #10  
Old 03-Jun-2004, 01:45
Editor, UsingEnglish.com
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Posts: 34,357
Home Country: UK
Native Language: British English
Current Location: Philippines
Member Type: English Teacher
Default

The order is moderated by the tag- it softens it a bit.
Closed Thread

Bookmarks

Tags
question, tags


Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Question tags. manishrvarma Ask a Teacher 4 14-Jul-2004 03:40
Question tags petertsui General Language Discussions 9 18-Jun-2004 23:22
Ambiguous Question Interpretation Anonymous Ask a Teacher 7 23-Apr-2004 23:47
Question Tag Quiz: You Understand, Don't You? Red5 General Language Discussions 1 11-Mar-2004 16:13
question tags Anonymous Ask a Teacher 1 25-Aug-2003 19:58


All times are GMT. The time now is 12:53.



Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO ©2011, Crawlability, Inc.