A question regarding "tags", which "tag" is correct?

Status
Not open for further replies.

pinbong

Junior Member
Joined
Oct 25, 2010
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Chinese
Home Country
China
Current Location
China
Hi, teachers:

Can you tell me which one of the following sentences is correct? (The focus here is the "tags" following each question, which is one of my big weaknesses.)

Looks like not all native-speakers know these two words, doesn't it?

or should it be:

Looks like not all native-speakers know these two words, do they?

or
Looks like not all native-speakers know these two words, don't they?

Any rule to follow when the preceding sentence is a composite sentence?
 

5jj

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Oct 14, 2010
Member Type
English Teacher
Native Language
British English
Home Country
Czech Republic
Current Location
Czech Republic
Quote:
Looks like not all native-speakers know these two words, doesn't it?
Correct.

Looks like not all native-speakers know these two words, do they?
I'd say this is acceptable, in conversation at least.

Looks like not all native-speakers know these two words, don't they?
No

Any rule to follow when the preceding sentence is a composite sentence?

It's not really about rules in conversation. Many people use the tag that is appropriate for the thought in their minds, rather than the actual words. Thus:

He has worked in Germany, didn't he?

is wrong by any rule. However, in conversation the speaker might, before he has completed the utterance, answer in his own mind the question 'has he worked in Germany?' with the thought 'Of course he has - he worked there in 2006'. So he adds the tag 'didn't he?' to the unuttered words 'he worked in Germany in 2006'.

I am not suggesting that you do this yourself. I am merely saying that you will hear utterances which are 'incorrect', but which will go unnoticed in conversation.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top