TAG QUESTION Meaning and
Definition
-
A tag question is a short interrogative phrase or sentence fragment that is attached at the end of a declarative sentence, thereby turning it into a question. Typically, it consists of an auxiliary verb and a pronoun, and it serves to seek confirmation or agreement from the listener or to encourage a response. Tag questions are primarily used in informal speech or conversation to make statements sound less assertive or to initiate a dialogue.
The formation of a tag question depends on the tense and voice of the main sentence. If the main clause is positive, the tag question is usually negative, and vice versa. For example, in the statement "You are coming, aren't you?", the main clause "You are coming" is positive, and the tag question "aren't you?" is negative. Similarly, if the main clause is negative, the tag question is positive. For instance, in the statement "She didn't eat, did she?", the main clause "She didn't eat" is negative, and the tag question "did she?" is positive.
Tag questions not only seek confirmation or agreement but also convey different communicative functions, such as seeking advice or offering suggestions. They often reflect the speaker's attitude towards the topic being discussed or the degree of certainty in their statement. Additionally, the intonation and stress placed on the tag question can also convey different meanings, including surprise, doubt, or conviction.
Common Misspellings for TAG QUESTION
- rag question
- fag question
- gag question
- yag question
- 6ag question
- 5ag question
- tzg question
- tsg question
- twg question
- tqg question
- taf question
- tav question
- tab question
- tah question
- tay question
- tat question
- tag 1uestion
- tag 2uestion
- tag wuestion
- tag auestion
Etymology of TAG QUESTION
The term "tag question" comes from the combination of two words: "tag" and "question".
The word "tag" in this context is derived from the verb "to tag". It originally referred to attaching a label or tag to something in order to identify or categorize it. In the case of a linguistic tag, it refers to a small phrase attached to the end of a sentence, which has the purpose of adding additional information or seeking confirmation.
The word "question" comes from the Latin word "quaestio", meaning "to seek, ask, or inquire". In English, it refers to a sentence or phrase that is used to elicit information or express uncertainty.
Therefore, the term "tag question" describes a small question phrase attached to the end of a statement, which seeks confirmation, clarification, or emphasizes uncertainty.
