Previously, we talked about question tags, now it's time to about what I call reply tags. Well, just in case you don’t know what questions tags are, or you need a review, let me explain.
Okay, now that you know about question tags, it’s time to talk about echo tags. Really, it’s quite simple. They’re basically the same. There are just a couple of differences:
1) The reply tags are asked by a person responding to another person’s information with surprise.
2) If the information is positive, the echo is positive.
If the information is negative, the echo is negative.
Jane: I’m pregnant.
Tarzan: Are you?!
Jane: I’m not pregnant.
Tarzan: Aren’t you?!
Can you see the difference? Now, let’s talk about intonation.
1) Question tags,
a) confirming information you’re very sure about,
emphasize the auxiliary verb
Tarzan and Jane love each other, don’t they?
b) confirming information you’re not sure about,
strongly emphasize the auxiliary verb.
Tarzan and Jane love each other, don’t they?
2) Reply tags (total surprise),
emphasize the auxiliary verb.
Tarzan and Jane love each other.
Do they?
Okay, then! Now, try either adding a question tag to the following information or responding with a reply tag. And practice the different intonation. Look at the comments below to see the possible tags.
The jungle doesn’t have lots of insects…
Tarzan’s a monkey’s uncle…
Jane hasn’t left for England…
Tarzan wears a suit…
Tarzan and Jane will live happily ever after…
1 comment:
QUESTION TAGS:
"The jungle doesn’t have lots of insects, DOES IT?"
"Tarzan’s a monkey’s uncle, ISN'T HE?
Jane hasn’t left for England, HAS SHE?"
"Tarzan wears a suit, DOESN'T HE?"
"Tarzan and Jane will live happily ever after, WON'T THEY?"
ECHO TAGS:
"The jungle doesn’t have lots of insects. DOES IT?"
"Tarzan’s a monkey’s uncle. IS HE?"
"Jane hasn’t left for England. HASN'T SHE?"
"Tarzan wears a suit. DOES HE?"
"Tarzan and Jane will live happily ever after. WILL THEY?"
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