tag question

tag question
1. Also called tag. a short interrogative structure appended to a statement or command, as isn't it in It's raining, isn't it?, are you in You're not going, are you?, or German nicht wahr.
2. a question formed by appending such a structure to a declarative sentence or command, often inviting confirmation or assent, as She lives nearby, doesn't she? or Sit down, won't you?
[1960-65]

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • tag question — This is the grammarians name for a question added at the end of a statement and acting as a reinforcer rather than seeking an answer, as in You will do this for me, won t you? / She has been to America, hasn t she? / I don t need an umbrella, do… …   Modern English usage

  • tag question — tag .question n technical a question that is formed by adding a phrase such as can t we? , wouldn t he? , or is it? to a sentence …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • tag question — tag ,question noun count LINGUISTICS a word or phrase such as isn t it? or haven t you? that you can add to a sentence to make a question …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • tag question — n. a brief question with the general meaning “Is it not so?”, added to a declarative or imperative sentence: it is negative in construction when the original sentence is affirmative, and vice versa (Ex.: It isn t raining, is it? Hurry now, won t… …   English World dictionary

  • Tag question — A Tag question (also: question tag) is a grammatical structure in which a declarative statement or an imperative is turned into a question by adding an interrogative fragment (the tag ). The term tag question is generally preferred by American… …   Wikipedia

  • tag question — noun Etymology: tag (I) : a question (as isn t it in “it s fine, isn t it?” or is it in “Oh it is, is it?”) added to a statement or command (as to gain the assent of or challenge the person addressed) ; also : a sentence ending in a tag question… …   Useful english dictionary

  • tag question — UK / US noun [countable] Word forms tag question : singular tag question plural tag questions linguistics a question tag …   English dictionary

  • tag question — noun Date: 1933 a question (as isn t it in “it s fine, isn t it?”) added to a statement or command (as to gain the assent of or challenge the person addressed); also a sentence ending in a tag question …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • tag question — tag′ ques tion n. gram. a short interrogative structure appended to a statement or command, often inviting confirmation or assent, as isn t it in It s raining, isn t it?[/ex] • Etymology: 1960–65 …   From formal English to slang

  • tag question — /ˈtæg kwɛstʃən/ (say tag kweschuhn) noun Grammar a question in the form of a statement followed by a short question requesting confirmation or negation from the listener, as in It is cold today, isn t it? or We must leave immediately, do you… …  

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