DIFFERENTIATING BETWEEN POLAR AND TAG QUESTIONS

TOPIC: DIFFERENTIATING BETWEEN  POLAR  AND  TAG QUESTIONS
 Meaning of Questions:
Questions are sentences used to ask for information. English questions can be grouped into polar
questions and tag questions.
. Polar Questions:
These are questions that require only two possible answers — Yes or No.
 Examples:
o Are you coming?
o Did she pass the test?
o Will it rain today?
o Has he eaten?

Features of Polar Questions:
Begin with auxiliary verbs (is, are, do, did, will, have, etc.).

 Expect short answers like Yes, I am or No, I’m not.
It is  Used for confirmation, inquiry, or curiosity.
Tag Questions:
A tag question is a short question added at the end of a statement to seek agreement or
confirmation.
 She is a nurse, isn’t she?
 They didn’t come, did they?
 You can drive, can’t you?
4. Differences Between Polar and Tag Questions:
633
Feature
Form
Answer Type Yes/No
Example
Use
Polar Question
Tag Question
Begins a sentence
Comes at the end of a statement
Agreement/Confirmation
Is he ready?
He is ready, isn’t he?
To ask for information To confirm or agree
EVALUATION:
1. Define a polar question.
2. Define a tag question.
3. Give two examples of each.
4. State two differences between polar and tag questions.
5. Complete this: You were there yesterday, ____?
ASSIGNMENT:
1. Write three polar questions and their expected answers.
2. Convert these to tag questions:
a. You are happy.
b. She can sing.
c. They didn’t come.
3. Explain why tag questions are used in conversation