What is the question tag of I promise I won't punish you, ...... ?
H HommoS Member Joined Mar 6, 2015 Member Type Other Native Language Arabic Home Country Egypt Current Location Egypt Apr 5, 2015 #1 What is the question tag of I promise I won't punish you, ...... ?
Roman55 Key Member Joined Feb 5, 2014 Member Type Interested in Language Native Language British English Home Country Italy Current Location France Apr 5, 2015 #2 I am not a teacher. A promise doesn't lend itself to a natural tag question. By analogy with the past tense, 'I promised I wouldn't punish you, didn't I?', the unnatural 'don't I' would be your best bet.
I am not a teacher. A promise doesn't lend itself to a natural tag question. By analogy with the past tense, 'I promised I wouldn't punish you, didn't I?', the unnatural 'don't I' would be your best bet.
emsr2d2 Moderator Staff member Joined Jul 28, 2009 Member Type English Teacher Native Language British English Home Country UK Current Location UK Apr 5, 2015 #3 You could just about get away with "I always promise I won't punish you, don't I?" if you're talking about a regular occurrence. It doesn't work in the standard present tense.
You could just about get away with "I always promise I won't punish you, don't I?" if you're talking about a regular occurrence. It doesn't work in the standard present tense.
MikeNewYork VIP Member Joined Nov 13, 2002 Member Type Academic Native Language American English Home Country United States Current Location United States Apr 5, 2015 #4 Not every sentence calls for a natural tag question.