Question tags

[manishrvarma]

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

 

[Tdol]

You could add the tag 'will you?'. ;-)

 

[manishrvarma]

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

 

[queenmaabd]

You could add the tag 'will you?'. ;-)

ç

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.

 

[queenmaabd]

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.

 

[manishrvarma]

thanks for clearing my doubt

good wishes
Naseem

 

[manishrvarma]

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

 

[Tdol]

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.
;-)

 

[manishrvarma]

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.

 

[Tdol]

The order is moderated by the tag- it softens it a bit.;-)

 

[JMCGHK]

[FONT=&#23435]Dear all,[/FONT]

[FONT=&#23435]Could you pls tell me which is correct:[/FONT]
[FONT=&#23435][FONT=&#23435]1. He must work late, mustn’t/must he? [/FONT]
[FONT=&#23435] He mustn’t work late, must/mustn’t he? [/FONT]
[FONT=&#23435]2. Red must be one of the most powerful colours, is it? [/FONT]
[FONT=&#23435]4. He must be a bus driver, is/isn’t/must/can’t he? [/FONT]
[FONT=&#23435]5. He must know, does/doesn’t/must/can’t he? [/FONT]
[FONT=&#23435]6. He might know, does/doesn’t/might/mightn’t he? [/FONT]


Thanks in advance

[/FONT]