密歇根新闻广播 我们不熟悉的反义疑问句

There's a set of questions that we as speakers use regularly and that we may not realize have their own special name. They're called tag questions, and they're everywhere.

You probably don't know what a tag question is, do you? You want to learn about tag questions, don't you? That's probably why you're reading this column, isn't it?

By now you've probably figured out what a tag question is, right?

Tag questions are those mini questions we sometimes tack¹ onto the end of sentences to ask for confirmation². They can also do a few other things.

In English, there are a couple of kinds of tag questions. Invariant tag questions the same every time they're used. Tags like right?, no?, and eh? don't change with relationship to the sentence or clause they follow.

Some tag questions depend on the grammar of the sentence or clause that comes before. More specifically, they depend on the verb or auxiliary³ verb.

Consider this example: "You know the answer, don't you?" If we switch things around, "You don't know the answer, do you? the tag must also change. If you don't change the tag, the sentence will sound strange, You do know the answer, do you?

Tag questions are often associated with less powerful language. The idea is that if you add the tag, you must need confirmation or affirmation that you're right. While that's certainly one of the things they can do, they can also serve as a way to invite people in. You'll often hear teachers use tag questions to invite students into the conversation.

However, it's not hard to imagine questions that are not without confidence. If a teacher says "You're going to turn that in on Monday, aren't you?" there's nothing to suggest that they're looking for a student's affirmation.

Another thing to consider is the speaker's intonation⁴ when they use a tag question. Check out this example: "You're going to work again this weekend, aren't you?" Depending on intonation, that can either sound like request for confirmation or an exasperated⁵ accusation⁶.

Tag questions are somewhat complicated, aren't they?

1 tack   

n.大头钉；假缝，粗缝

参考例句：

• He is hammering a tack into the wall to hang a picture.他正往墙上钉一枚平头钉用来挂画。
• We are going to tack the map on the wall.我们打算把这张地图钉在墙上。

2 confirmation   

n.证实，确认，批准

参考例句：

• We are waiting for confirmation of the news.我们正在等待证实那个消息。
• We need confirmation in writing before we can send your order out.给你们发送订购的货物之前，我们需要书面确认。

3 auxiliary   

adj.辅助的，备用的

参考例句：

• I work in an auxiliary unit.我在一家附属单位工作。
• The hospital has an auxiliary power system in case of blackout.这家医院装有备用发电系统以防灯火管制。

4 intonation   

n.语调，声调；发声

参考例句：

• The teacher checks for pronunciation and intonation.老师在检查发音和语调。
• Questions are spoken with a rising intonation.疑问句是以升调说出来的。

5 exasperated   

adj.恼怒的

参考例句：

• We were exasperated at his ill behaviour. 我们对他的恶劣行为感到非常恼怒。
• Constant interruption of his work exasperated him. 对他工作不断的干扰使他恼怒。

6 accusation   

n.控告，指责，谴责

参考例句：

• I was furious at his making such an accusation.我对他的这种责备非常气愤。
• She knew that no one would believe her accusation.她知道没人会相信她的指控。