Tag questions, agreeing and disagreeing

Use

Frequently used in spoken English when you want to agree or disagree.


Form

Positive statement ->question tag negative - You are Tom, aren't you?
Negative statement->question tag positive - He isn't Joe, is he?

Examples

With auxiliaries
You've got a car, haven't you?

Without auxiliaries (use: don't, doesn't, didn't)
They play football on Sundays, don't they?
She plays football on Sundays, doesn't she?
They played football on Sundays, didn't they?

Questions tags are used to keep a conversation going. You can agree or refuse to a sentence with a question tag.

You go to school, don't you?
(You agree). Yes. I do.
(You refuse). No, I don't.

You aren't from Germany, are you?

(You agree). Yes. I am.
(You refuse). No, I'm not.

Questions tags - Special

Although the negative word not is not in the sentence, the sentence can be negative. Then we use the "positive" question tag.


We use will/would with the imperative (Simple Present).

Open the window, will you?
Open the window, would you?          Don't open your books, will you?


We use won't with a polite request.

Open the window, won't you?


We use shall after Let's.

Let's take the next bus, shall we?


Auxiliary must

We must be at home at 8 pm, mustn't we?
Yes, we must. 
No, we needn't.


English is a polite language. Even when you think someone is wrong about something, it is rude to directly contradict that person. This means that you have to do so indirectly. You also have to be careful to notice when an English person wants to disagree, since you might think he is just discussing the subject, or even that he is agreeing with you.

Sometimes you will have to agree or disagree with an opinion.
For example:
What a beautiful baby! 
You may also have to accept or reject a suggestion
For example:
Would you like to finish reading this? 



Orders as Suggestions

Sometimes orders are given as suggestions - the only difference is who gives them. If you refuse an order given as a suggestion, you must be very polite and give a good reason. Otherwise accept the suggestion politely. 
For example:
Bus Conductor: Can you show me your ticket please?
Traveller: I'm terribly sorry, I seem to have lost it.
or
Yes, of course. Here you are



Suggestions

Formal
A formal suggestion is a complete question. Very formal suggestions are given in the third person.
For example:
Butler : Would Sir like to partake of coffee?
Lord Jones : I will, thank you. 
or
Not at this time, thank you.

Normal formal suggestions use 'you'
Waiter : Would you like some coffee?
Harry Jones : Yes, thank you. 
That would be nice, thank you. 
I would indeed. 
or
Not right now, thank you. 
No thanks. 
Do you have tea?



Informal
With informal suggestions, your replies can also be informal.
For example:
Sally : Coffee?
Harry: Why not? 
Cheers 
I don't mind if I do. 
Good idea. 
Sure, okay. 
or
I'll pass, thanks. 
Let's have tea. 
Later, maybe

If you are disagreeing with a suggestion, it is polite to give a reason.
For example:
Would you like to come up for a coffee?
I'd love to but it's late.
Let's go to the cinema this evening.
I can't. I've got to go to work early tomorrow.


Opinions

Opinions are stated as facts. You can agree with them, disagree (politely or rudely) ask for more information, or show that you do not want to discuss the matter.
For example:
That film is really good.
Yes, I really enjoyed it.(agreeing)
I can't say it's my favourite?(disagreeing politely)
What, that load of rubbish?(disagreeing rudely)
I don't watch films much.(not wanting to discuss it)


Question tags

Question tags at the end of a sentence demand a response. Therefore they are useful in asking for agreement, or in starting a discussion about an opinion.
For example:
That road is really dangerous, isn't it? 
Yes, it is. 
Janet is so stupid!'
You don't like her, do you? 
Note that when agreeing to an opinion with a question tag, 'yes' or 'no' alone are impolite. You should answer with 'yes', 'no' and then the subject pronoun and auxiliary.
For example:
He wouldn't do that, would he? 
No, he wouldn't.


Agreeing strongly

For example:
That film should be banned.
You are so right.
Absolutely.
I totally/completely/fully agree.
That's exactly what I say.
Of course it should.


Agreeing mildly

For example:
That film should be banned.
I suppose so.
Well, yes, maybe it should.
Should it? Okay.
If you say so.


Staying neutral

For example:
That film should be banned.
Well, that's your opinion.
Perhaps. Perhaps not.
Mmmm.
Ah. That film.


Disagreeing mildly

For example:
That film should be banned.
Do you think so?
Why that one in particular?
Well, it is challenging.
Isn't banning it rather extreme?


Disagreeing strongly

For example:
That film should be banned.
No, it shouldn't.
That's rubbish.
What are you talking about?
You are so wrong.


Disagreeing indirectly

Rather than confront your opinion directly, English people might tell you the reasons they disagree.
For example:
That film should be banned.
It is one of the most popular films of the year.
Many people think it is a classic.
It has not upset many people.

To make their disagreement seem less forceful, English people will use words like Well, Actually or Yes, but at the start of their sentence. They might also apologise for disagreeing
For example:
That film should be banned.
I'm sorry, but I don't think so.
Yes, but you want almost every film banned.
Well, actually, it's not that bad as a matter of fact.