He is too short to play basketball,.......isn't he? ?

[ali7772016]

He is too short to play basketball,.......

a-isn't he?
b-is he?
I would chose (a)Am I right?

 

[Rover_KE]

If that's a test question, that's probably the answer they want. However, there's a context in which (b) would be right.

 

[Skrej]

When using tag questions, your tag is generally the opposite of your question. Positive question, negative tag, and vice-versa.

However, as Rover mentioned, there are special cases where the question and the tag can match.

You can read this article about tag questions for an in-depth explanation, including the section on special cases, which will elaborate on Rover's second comment.

 

[ali7772016]

can you give me more examples,please?

 

[Trevor C. Vox]

Not a teacher.

For this particular example, (a) is certainly correct. (b) would be a possibility if it were phrased "is he not?"

 

[Rover_KE]

Welcome to the forum, Trevor.

Please read this extract from the Posting Guidelines:

You are welcome to answer questions posted in the Ask a Teacher forum as long as your suggestions, help, and advice reflect a good understanding of the English language. If you are not a teacher, you will need to state that clearly in your post.

 

[Tdol]

Not a teacher.

For this particular example, (a) is certainly correct. (b) would be a possibility if it were phrased "is he not?"

Answer a) is the standard tag question. Is he not is merely an alternative to a). You could use b) as it stands if you want to express a degree of disbelief- if the person were actually quite tall, for instance, then asking the question would the positive tag to show surprise/disbelief would work after someone had said that he was too short.