question tag

[palinkasocsi]

Dear Friends,

What is the question tag of the following:

He can't have bought a house, ...?

If the question tag for He must have bought a house, can't he?, then the tag for He can't have bought a house - is 'must he'?

Thanks for your help.

Palinkasocsi

[RonBee]

can he

[David L.]

Where are you getting this grammatical advice from?

He can't have bought a house, can he?

He must have bought a house, mustn't he?
(This is not a good construction. A native speaker would be satisfied with saying:

"He must have bought a house?" stressing 'must' and with a facial look that reads "I'm going to have a hard time believing otherwise!"

[palinkasocsi]

Thanks RonBee and David L.!

Does it mean that the tag in -

He must have bought a house, can't he?

is incorrect? A textbook key suggested 'can't he'.

Palinkasocsi

[inorderto]

Thanks RonBee and David L.!

Does it mean that tag in -

He must have bought a house, can't he?

is incorrect?
A textbook key suggested 'can't he'.

Palinkasocsi

Have a look at this page and you will be able to find your answer by yourself.

English Grammar: Tag Questions | EnglishClub.com

[David L.]

Totally incorrect.
What book is it you are reading this in?

[inorderto]

Totally incorrect.
What book is it you are reading this in?

Dear David:
Your question: What book is it you are reading this in?

As a non-native English speaker I think that your question is not natural.
Is this sentence natural for a native one? If not, help me to rephrase it please.
Thanks.

[palinkasocsi]

It is a Hungarian textbook, preparing students for language exams. There are textbook editors who think they speak good English. In most cases it is true. This seems to be an exception.

Palinkasocsi

[palinkasocsi]

Dear Inorderto,

To find out whether my question is "natural" for a native or not, please ask a native.

Palinkasocsi

[David L.]

Inorderto:
Dear David:
Your question: What book is it you are reading this in?

As a non-native English speaker I think that your question is not natural.
Is this sentence natural for a native one? If not, help me to rephrase it please.
Thanks.

How would you have phrased the question?
(I think I know; but then we will have something specific to discuss.!