Lesson B1 7.2: Question Tags: Checking & Confirming

🎯 Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

Propose ideas in professional settings with phrases such as “We could...” and “How about...”.
State opinions clearly and diplomatically using “In my opinion...” or “I think...”.
Invite colleagues into discussions with questions like “What do you think?” or “Do you have any thoughts on this?”.
Contribute confidently to short brainstorming discussions about work or everyday scenarios.

🧠 Grammar & Skill Explanation

A question tag is a short question we add to the end of a statement. We use them to check if something is true or to ask for agreement. They are extremely common in spoken English and make conversations more interactive.

Form / Structure

The basic rule is: Positive statement, negative tag. Negative statement, positive tag.

The tag re-uses the auxiliary verb (be, have, do) or modal verb (can, will, should) from the main statement.

Positive (+) → Negative (-):

You are the new manager, aren't you?
He has finished the report, hasn't he?
They will attend the meeting, won't they?

Negative (-) → Positive (+):

It isn't ready yet, is it?
You don't have a spare pen, do you?
She can't join the call, can she?

Usage Rules: The Importance of Intonation

Falling Intonation (Sounds like a statement): You are mostly sure of the answer and are just confirming. This is common for checking facts.

Example: "This is the final version, isn't it? (↘)"

Rising Intonation (Sounds like a question): You are less sure and are asking a real question. This is used to engage people.

Example: "You haven't seen my keys, have you? (↗)"

Key Learning Tip: Think of it as a mirror. Find the "helper" verb in the statement (like is, was, do, can), and then create a negative or positive reflection of it in the tag. If there is no helper verb (e.g., "You like coffee"), use a form of do.

🗂️ Context & Professional + Daily Usage

Question tags are excellent tools for effective workplace communication and natural daily conversations.

Professional Context

Confirming Understanding: "We need to finish this by Friday, don't we?"
Engaging in Meetings: "That's an interesting point, isn't it?"
Making Polite Requests: "You can help me with this, can't you?"
Checking Agreement: "Everyone has received the agenda, haven't they?"

Everyday Context

Making Small Talk: "It's a beautiful day, isn't it?"
Confirming Plans: "We're still meeting at 7 pm, aren't we?"
Checking Information: "The train leaves from Platform 4, doesn't it?"
Friendly Conversations: "You've been to Italy before, haven't you?"

✅ Examples & Analysis

Effective combinations

“In my opinion, our customer engagement is too low. We could launch a newsletter to keep them updated.”
“How about creating a shared project document? That way, everyone can see the updates.”
“I think the deadline is very tight. Why don't we ask for a one-week extension?”
“I've listened to the points. Does anyone have any other thoughts before we decide?”
“This room feels a bit empty. We could put a plant in the corner. What do you think?”
“I feel that we always choose the same restaurant. Why don't we try something new tonight?”

Common pitfalls

Too direct: “My opinion is we need a new strategy.” → Use “In my opinion...” to sound more natural and polite.
Incorrect structure: “How about we to contact the supplier?” → Use the gerund: “How about contacting the supplier?”
Negative tone: “I think this is a bad idea. We need another one.” → Try “From my perspective, this idea has challenges. We could explore alternatives. What do you think?”

🎧 Listening Exercise

Maria's Project Review

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Character: Maria, a Senior Designer.

Scenario: Maria is having an informal project review with a junior colleague, Tom.

"Hi Tom. You've got a moment, haven't you? I just want to go over the designs for the new client. You sent them over this morning, didn't you? I've had a quick look. They look very professional. The client is going to like them, aren't they?

Now, on slide five, you used the old logo. That isn't the final version, is it? We need to use the one that was approved last week. You have that file, don't you? Good. It's a small change, but it's an important deliverable.

Also, the deadline for the full presentation is next Friday. We can't miss that, can we? The project manager is very strict about timelines. It shouldn't be a problem, should it? You're on track with everything else.

Okay, so your next step is to update the logo. You'll send me the revised version by the end of the day, won't you? This is a high-priority task. After that, we can prepare for the client meeting. It's going to be a great presentation, isn't it? Let me know if you need any help."

B2 Vocabulary

Deliverable: A product or service that is promised to a client.
Priority: A thing that is regarded as more important than another.

Listening Questions

1. What is the first thing Maria wants to confirm with Tom?

A) That he has time to talk. B) That he has finished the project. C) That he likes the client.

2. What is the main issue Maria points out in the designs?

A) The presentation is too long. B) The deadline is next Friday. C) The wrong company logo was used.

3. According to Maria, what can't they miss?

A) The client meeting. B) The Friday deadline. C) The morning coffee break.

4. Gap Fill: You'll send me the revised version by the end of the day, _____ _____?

📝 Practice Exercises

Apply the pattern in structured tasks. Submit each exercise before checking the model answers.

Exercise A · Matching functions

Match each sentence to the function it performs. Options: (A) Stating an opinion, (B) Making a logistical suggestion, (C) Inviting someone's view, (D) Proposing a technical/procedural idea, (E) Suggesting a new action or idea.

Tech company context

1. How about we run some user tests on the new prototype? 2. From my perspective, the current server is too slow. 3. What are your thoughts on the new software update? 4. We could integrate a payment system like Stripe. 5. Why don't we schedule a follow-up meeting for next week?

Retail store context

6. What are your thoughts on the new supplier? 7. How about we create a new display for the front window? 8. Why don't we reorganise the stock room this afternoon? 9. From my perspective, our weekend staffing is too low. 10. We could implement a new loyalty discount system.

Exercise B · Error correction

Rewrite each sentence so it uses the correct structure from this lesson.

Marketing agency

In my opinion that the logo is too small.

How about to create a new social media campaign?

What do you thinking about this slogan?

We could to hire a photographer for the product shots.

Hospital administration

In my opinion that the patient waiting times are too long.

How about to install a new scheduling software?

What do you feeling about the new hygiene protocols?

We could training staff on the new system.

Exercise C · Word order & dialogue

Put the words in the correct order and complete the dialogue using target phrases.

Word order (General office)

your / on / thoughts / are / what / this / ?

we / a / new / why / don't / supplier / find / ?

my / in / opinion / too / is / deadline / the / tight / .

a / we / could / short / take / break / .

Dialogue completion (Software development team)

(1) Alex: The user feedback on the new feature is not very positive.
Ben: I agree. Fill with an opinion phrase.

(2) Alex: That's a good point. Suggest adding a video tutorial.

(3) Ben: Great idea. Suggest simplifying the interface.

(4) Alex: Yes, definitely. Invite Carla to share her view.

🗣️ Speaking Practice

Task 1 · Controlled practice

Your team needs to reduce monthly expenses. Use the structure: “In my opinion, we are spending too much on...”, “We could...”, “Also, why don't we...?”, “What do you think?” Choose a budget area such as office supplies, software subscriptions, or travel.

Task 2 · Guided practice

A colleague suggests having more meetings to improve communication. Politely disagree: “From my perspective, more meetings might be difficult to schedule.” Offer an alternative like using a project management tool or a daily 10-minute huddle. Finish by asking for agreement.

Task 3 · Free practice

Lead a short brainstorming discussion. Choose one scenario: improving work-life balance or selecting a professional development goal. Mix opinion statements, suggestions, and invitations for input.

📌 Summary & Study Tips

Key Takeaways

Question tags are short questions added to statements to check information or ask for agreement.
The rule is: Positive Statement + Negative Tag and Negative Statement + Positive Tag.
The tag re-uses the auxiliary or modal verb from the statement.
Intonation is key: falling to confirm, rising to ask.
Question tags make conversations more interactive and polite in both professional and everyday settings.

3 Professional Study Tips

Listen in Meetings: Pay attention to how native speakers or senior colleagues use question tags in meetings. Notice when their voice goes up (asking) and when it goes down (confirming).
Confirm with an Email: Before you finish your next work email, find a key piece of information and add a question tag to confirm it. For example, "The meeting is at 3 PM, isn't it?" This is a polite way to double-check.
Practice with a Colleague: Find a colleague who is also learning English. At the end of the day, have a 2-minute chat to confirm what you both did. "You worked on the report, didn't you? You had a meeting with sales, didn't you?"