On the Analysis of Tag Questions in English Teaching

eyxd@overseaen.comISSN 1009- -5039http://www.overseaen.comOverseas English海外英语Tel:+86- -551-65690811 65690812On the Analysis of Tag Questions in English TeachingZHU Hong(The School of Foreign Languages, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian 1 16029, China)Abstract: Tag question is often used in English conversation, but it is also a very complicated syntactic structure in English whichbecomes the dificulty of English learners. Tag question involves various grammatical factors. A full linguistic analysis of tag ques-tions includes the classification, construction and meanings of intonations of the tag questions in English. The study of tag ques -tion aims at providing substantial contribution to the teaching and learning of English syntax.Key words: tag question; syntactic structure; English teaching; meanings of intonations中图分类号:H314文献标识码:A文 章编号: 1009-5039(2013)03-0028- -03Tag question as one of the four kinds of questions in Englsh3) Positive main clause + positive tag. e.g. Your car is out-is very different from the general question, special question and side, is it?alternative question which need a definite answer. The answer of4) Negative main clause + negative tag. e.g. So you don' ttag question can be predicted in its intonation. English native want to go, don't you?speakers tend to use tag questions in their informal conversation.Although some linguists argue that it does not seem to beTherefore it is very significant for English learmners to lear how possible for there to be negation in tag and main clause at theto use tag question. However, Chinese students at different levels same time, the last kind of tag question does exist in informal oC-often make mistakes in tag question, which intrigues the study oncasion, even in some literary works.lag qestions. This paper aims at cotrbuing susatall to the 2 The Construction of Tag Questionstag question' s teaching and learning through the study on thelasifcation, construcion and meanings of intonations of ltag 2.1 The general features of the tag questions' constructionsquestions in English.The tag question’s construction is illustrated as the follow-1 The Classification of Tag Questionsing: You have already got our invitation, haven' t you? From theexample we can see that a tag question has two different parts:1.1 The definition of tag questionthe part to the left of the comma, which is referred to as the mainTag question refers to a short interrogative formula placed at clause and the other part to the right of the comma, which isthe end of a declarative statement, e.g. isn't it? Tags in English called the tag. Sometimes when the main clause is too long, theare usually linked to declaratives, e.g. You will beere,you? But they may also follow an imperative, e.g. Put it on the ta- at that time, has he, been fully recognized as a successful artist?ble, will you? Many of them show reversed polarity. Their polarityIn this example, the tag is put in the middle of the main clauseis negative when what precedes is positive, and positive when it with two commas at the each end of the tag. However, this kindis negative. Tag questions are often used to convey an intention of tag question is not often used in conversation. There are a num-of negation or afirmation of the speaker.ber of features that relate the tag to the main clause. So an ade-1.2 The classification of tag questionsquate description of tag questions requires us to reveal what thesefeatures are.According to the different constructions of tag questions, weThere are mainly three general features of tag questions'can classify tag questions in four categories.1) Positive main clause + negative tag. e.g You prefer goingconstructions. Firstly, from the observation of the previous exam-ples of tag questions, it can be concluded that the form of tag isby plane, don’t you?2) Negative main clause + positive tag. e.g. You are not go-related to the form of the main clause. The tag is either in thesame negative- positive form as the main clause or in the differenting out today, are you?中国煤化工收稿日期:2012-10- -20修回日 期:2012-11-15.MHCNMH G基金项目:辽宁省教育科学“十二五”规划项目(项目批号:JG12DB181)作者简介:朱虹(1979-),女，黑龙江哈尔滨人，讲师,硕士,主要研究方向为英语语言学,英语教学法。28 通习得与權教孚论本栳目责任编辑:唐东2013年02月Overseas English海外英语negative- positive form from the main clause. Secondly, the verbal classes on Monday, don 't they?element in the tag is also related to the main clause. The verbal❹When the subject in main clause is a demonstrative pro-element in tag is either the same as that in main clause or de- noun, such as“this’ ’， “that' ，“these” and “ those”,“it” orrives from that in the main clause. Thirdly, there must be a defi-they” is used in tag according to the number of the demonstra-nite pronoun in the tag, and this pronoun must agree with the sub- tive pronoun. eg. None of the news sounds true, does it? Whenject of the main clause. It means that both the pronouns in the the subject in main clause is “such" ，“it” or “they” is used intag and the subject of the main clause must have the same gen- tag according to the number of the noun which “such ”conveys. e.der, number, and person.g. Such are your ideas, aren' t they?2.2 The description of the tag questions' construction⑤When the subject in main clause is a gerund or an infni-tive,“it”is used in tag. e.g. To study English is very important,An adequate account of tag questions must express theisn't itabove three features in details. Here is the general description of2) The verb in the tag questionstag questions’construction. First of all, at the end of the tag ques-When the first verb in the main clause is among“be", auxil-ion there is pronoun which is either the same as the subject ofiary verbs and modal verbs, the same verb is used in tag. e.g. Hethe main clause or derives from the main clause. Moreover, be-is your brother, isn't he? When the first verb in the main clausefore the pronoun there is a verb which is either the same as theis the full verb,“do”,“does” or“did”is used in tag according tofirst verb in the main clause or derives frorm the first verb in thethe tense and number. eg. He gives us a big surprise, doesn'tmain clause. The verb in tag must be among various forms ofhe? When the modal verb in main clause expresses the meaningverb“be", auxiliary verbs and modal verbs. Finally, the particu-lar verb is either in is positive form or negative form. If it isof conjecture, the verb in tag should be in coordination with thetense which the main clause actually conveys. e.g. He must haveused in its negative form, it should be used in its short form, .seen the killer last night, didn't he?such as isn't it?3) Other constructions of tag questions in simple sentencesAccording to the structure, sentences can be classified into①When the main clause contains some words which conveysimple, compound and complex sentences. The constructions ofthe negative meaning， such as‘ 'rarely' ，"hardly" ，‘seldom ”,tag questions in the three kinds of sentences are very different.2.2.1 Tag questins in simple sentencestion should be in positive form. e.g. She is nothing to you, is she?A simple sentence has only one subject and one predicate W hen the main clause contains the words which have the nega-verb. The constructions of tag questions in simple sentence are tive affixes, such as‘'un-” ，‘ non--less'，the tag questiondetermined by the main clause.should be in negative form. e.g. He is unfriendly, isn't he?1) On the pronoun of the tag questions②Statements about oneself with the verb “be”are generally①When the subject of the main clause is a personal pro- made in the negative due to the lack of a contradiction of‘ am+noun, the same pronoun is used in tag. e.g.You are a student, ar-not”. If the statement is affirmative, the full form must be used inen' t you?the question, though it sounds a bit pedantic. It is certainly quiteWhen the subject of the main clause is “it” which is not a acceptable. On some informal occasions‘ aren’ t 1”are oftenreal subject but a subject in form,“it” is also used in tag. e.g. Itused. e.g. I m late, aren'tI?isn' t bad to sleep on the couch, is it?③When main clause is an exclamatory sentence introducedWhen the main clause is a“there be”structure, “there" isby“what”", “be”in present tense form is often used in tag ques-used as a pronoun in tag. e.g. There isn't a Tooth Fairy, is there?②When the subject in main clause is a noun or noun④When main clause is an imperative sentence, “will you?"phrase, the personal pronoun including “he", “she",is used when the imperative is positive or negative;‘won ”t you?"“you”, “they” and“it” is used in tag according to the gender, is used when the imperative is affirmative;‘ can't you?" is usednumber and person of the subject in main clause, e.g. The girl when the imperative is negative;‘ shall we?" is used when the im-from Norway has already graduated, hasn't she?perative is initialed by“Let's”. e.g. Go and shut the door, will③When the subject in main clause is an indefinite pronoun you?which refers to people such as“ someone",“somebody", “any-2.2.2 Tag questions in compound sentencesone'”,“anybody",“everybody", “no one'’， ‘nobody", etc, “they'A compound sentence consists of two or more independentor“he”is used in tag. Nowadays in order to avoid sex prejudice,clauses or simple sentences related to each other in meaning, and“they” are preferred by people, e.g. Someone called me this morn-linked by coordinating coniunction. such as_' "and”", “but", “or"”,ing, don't he? When the subject in main clause is“all of“therefore”, ete中国煤化工:onjuncion. In theor“none of-”,“it”or“they" is used in tag. Which one ofcompound sentenMHCNMHGeeismoreempha-the two pronouns should be used is determined by the number ofthe word after “all of”and“none of", e.g. all of students havesized, so tag question is often appended to the second clause. e.g.You have to fix the car, or we can't go on our trip, can we?本栏目责任编辑:唐东NN 语习得与课程敦受迢\ 29Overseas English 海外英语2013年02月2.2.3 Tag questions in complex sentences3 The meaning of tag questions ' intonationsA complex sentence contains one main or principal clauseGenerally, there are two kinds of intonations in tag ques-and one or more dependent of subordinate clauses, with a connec-tions: rising and flling. When a speaker is quite sure that histive word denoting the relation between the two parts. A complex statement is true, and he adds a tag question just to make conver-sentence has more clauses and structures. Sometimes it is rather sation, the intonation of the question is the same as that of a state-difficult to assure which clause should be the focus to which ament: falling. When a speaker is not sure that his statement istag question is attached. However, some rules can be concludedtrue, and he asks for confirmation, the intonation of the questionfrom the limited corpus.is the same as that of a general question: rising.1) Tag questions in the complex sentences which containQuirk thought that the meaning of tag questions’intonationspredicative clauses, appositive clauses, atributive clauses and ad- cannot be separated from the polarities of the main clauses and ofverbial clauses.the tag questions. The interaction between the intonations and theIn this kind of complex sentence the subordinate clause polarities produces four pssibilities: .which serves as a predicate, appositive, atributive or adverbialmodifier is attached to the princeipal clause. The verb and the pro-negative, the intonation is rising. In this situation, the speaker isnoun in the tag question are determined by those in the prineipal confident to the statement. His expectation to the answer is neu-clause. e.g. You have to walk if there is no bus there, don't you?tral.2) Tag question in the complex sentences which contain sub-2) When the main clause is positive and the tag question isjective clause.negative, the intonation is flling. In the second situation, theWhen the complex sentence contains subjective clause, the speaker is uncertain to the statement. His expectation to the an-pronoun in the tag question should be“it” and the verb in it isswer is neutral.determined by the main clause. e.g. What he lacks is courage,3) When the main clause is negative and the tag question isisn't it?positive, the intonation is rising. In this situation, the speaker is3) Tag question in the complex sentences which contain ob-confident to the statement. He expects or invites the listener tojective clausesagree with him.When the subject in the main clause is“I”and the verb in4) When the main clause is negative and the tag question isit is among “think”，‘ suppose'，‘ 'mean'，'guess'’， “believe" ,“imagine' ', etc. or the main clause is initialed by“I am sure”,“I speaker is uncertain to the statement. He expects the listener toam certain”,“I am afraid”or something like that, the verb anddisagree with him.pronoun are determined by those in subordinate clause. e.g.IIn everyday conversation, most of tag questions are negative.mean basically we can go u中p the top shop and buy what we like, People use tag questions ofen to invite confirmaion, but some-can't we? In such complex sentences when the prineipal clause times they also expect disconfirmation, e.g. I am being stupid, ar-is negative, the negation is often transferred to the subordinate en't I? On informal occasions people have some individual differ-clause. e.g I don' t suppose she cares, does she?ences in using tag questions. The meaning of intonation dependsThe tag question in this sort of complex sentence is atachedon the specific context. To summarize, the meanings of tag ques-to the objective clause rather than to the principal clause. From tions ' intonations are mainly either to invite the confrmation orthe syntactic point of view, the principal clause in such complex to initiate a conversation. It largely depends on the context.sentencs can be se as a prnhetial emen., while the subor 4 The sgificance of tag question in English teachingdinate clause can be seen as the pseudo- matrix sentence whichdetermines the construction of the tag question. From the pragmat-Tag questions are often used in English. They are more con-ic point of view, the speaker is not quite sure about the statementversational forms in speaking and seldom occur in writing excepthe or she makes, so he or she uses“I suppose”,“I' m afraid" toin reported speech. F requently applying tag questions in conversa-express this uncertainty. The focus is on the subordinate sertion is one of the features of English language. Tag questions intence, which conveys the proposition. Therefore the tag questionEnglish have many conversational functions. Therefore under-standing and learning how to use tag questions are very importantis determined by the subordinate clause.Tag questions in other complex sentences which contain afor English learners.objective clause is determined by the main clause. e.g KarlAlthough tag questions are also applied in other languages,hopes that Mary will wait on him, doesn' t he?the tag questions’constructions seem to be more complicated inEnglish than those in other languages. For example, many lan2.2.4 Responses to tag questionsguages have jus中国煤化工is atached 10 alllReponses to tag questins are the same as responses to any statements,,tag for differentother general questions. They vary according to facts, opinionssentence pattern.:TYHCNMHGany particularand the speaker's expectations. e.g. It is the first time you have(下转第35页)been there, isn'tit. Yes it is. No, it isn' t.30 遭得与速程教论本栳目责任编辑:唐东2013年02月.Overseas English海外英语3)在交际活动的设置中,要考虑到学生实际的语言水平、课 也是模仿，很难说是真刀真枪的交际;公共英语课学时少:同内容范围要符合学生的兴趣、知识面;学习任务建立在真实自- .年级学生英语水平差距大,参差不齐。在这样条件下我们过然的语料基础上,并符合交际规律,学生能从中思考和交流语分强调培养学生的交际能力,就可能出现隔靴搔痒的现象。语言学习问题和促进学习技能的发展;应该为学生提供--个较为言教学是极其复杂的教学过程,应用功能意念法,并不排斥其真实的、丰富的、与现实生活相似的情景,能够让学生演练真实他教学法 ,我们不应把自己框在一个固定的模式内,允许多种世界所需要的语言实际技能,并给予每个参与的学生-一个可自教学法并存 ,使它们相互渗透、相互融合、取长补短,以更好地由发挥的空间;交际活动中活动的内容不应仅仅来自老师或教提高语言教学效果。材，更多的应来自学生,活动内容越丰富、越真实，学生就越有参考文献:可能充分利用自己的知识、经验、阅历和能力，利用他们独特的[1] Hlliday M A K. An Introduction to Functional Grammar [M].交际手段,来解决交际中遇到的问题,进行真正的交际活动。Edward Armold,1994.语言习得也就在学生运用语言进行交际的过程中得以实现。这远比依赖语言形式、语法进行简单的语言操练有效得多。[2] Widdowson H G.Teaching Language as Communication[M.Ox-ford University Press, 1990.功能意念法与过去的一些教学法相比有不少的优越性,但[3]李瑛,吴长镰.交际法得失论[D].外语和外语教学,1998(11).在应用的过程中- -定 不要生搬硬套,利用功能意念法之所长来[4]刘学明大学英语课堂交际法教学的实践研究[D].武汉:华中克服我们语言教学之所短,才能在有限的学时内取得最大的效果。另外,我们要充分考虑我们实际学习语言的环境,除上课师范大学出版社,2006.外,我们很少有实际运用英语作为交际工具的环境,严格说,上(上接第30页)References:syntactic structure equal to tag questions in English. Actually inl] Mattews P H.Oxford Concise Dictionary of Linguistics[M].Chinese grammar books we cannot find any particular descriptionShanghai:Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press,2002:to this syntactic structure. Accordingly, English learmers in China371.often make various mistakes in tag questions in English. 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If more field work canbe done and more corpus can be collected, and at the same time[8]张京鱼.英语附加问句会话功能和性别差异个案分析[J].四川its rules can be generalized, these findings will be more helpful外语学院学报2002,18():71-74.to the teaching and learning of tag questions.中国煤化工MYHCNMHG本栏目责任编辑:唐-东JNNN 通习得与课程致严论35