Common mistake mismatched verbs and tag question operators
Mismatched Verbs and Tag Question Operators
Tag questions are commonly used in English to seek confirmation or to confirm information. They consist of a statement followed by a short question tag, such as "isn't it?" or "do you?". However, one common mistake that many people make is using mismatched verbs and tag question operators. This error can lead to confusion and make the sentence grammatically incorrect.
Matching Verbs in Tag Questions
- Correct: She is going to the party, isn't she?
- Incorrect: She is going to the party, aren't she?
In the correct example, the verb in the statement is "is" and the tag question operator used is "isn't." Both verbs match, creating a grammatically correct sentence. In the incorrect example, the verb in the statement is "is," but the tag question operator used is "aren't," which is incorrect. This mismatched verb and tag question operator create a grammatical error.
Common Verbs and their Matching Tag Question Operators
- I am - aren't I?
- You are - aren't you?
- He is - isn't he?
- She is - isn't she?
- It is - isn't it?
- We are - aren't we?
- They are - aren't they?
It's important to note that the verb "am" can be used with the pronoun "I", while "is" and "are" are used with other subjects. Additionally, when referring to the past tense, "was" should be used instead of "is" or "are."
If you struggle with matching verbs and tag question operators, using a grammar checker like Linguix can help. Linguix not only identifies and corrects errors in your writing but also provides explanations and suggestions for improvement.
mismatched verbs and tag question operators mistake examples
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Incorrect:I stop here, aren't I?Correct:I stop here, don't I?
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Incorrect:You know the way, aren't you?Correct:You know the way, don't you?
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Correct:You're a little overweight, aren't you?
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Correct:You're going to have to leave, aren't you?
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Correct:You're afraid the same thing will happen to you, aren't you?
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Correct:You're the only person in the office who can do that, aren't you?
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Correct:Effect of land conveyances I'm late, aren't I?
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Correct:You're very persistent, aren't you?
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Incorrect:I stopped here, wasn't I?Correct:I stopped here, didn't I?
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Incorrect:You knew the way, weren't you?Correct:You knew the way, didn't you?
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Correct:That's what you wanted, wasn't it?
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Correct:That's what you suspected, wasn't it?
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Correct:How did you know he wasn't me?
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Incorrect:I don't start, am I?Correct:I don't start, do I?
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Incorrect:You don't know, are you?Correct:You don't know, do you?
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Correct:Don't ask the old man "How are you?", instead ask him "What's bothering you today?".
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Incorrect:I didn't start, was I?Correct:I didn't start, did I?
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Incorrect:You didn't know, were you?Correct:You didn't know, did you?
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Incorrect:It doesn't look like it, is it?Correct:It doesn't look like it, does it?
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Incorrect:It didn't look like it, was it?Correct:It didn't look like it, did it?
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Incorrect:It did not look like it, was it?Correct:It did not look like it, did it?
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Incorrect:I'm late, don't I?Correct:I'm late, aren't I?
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Incorrect:I am late, don't I?Correct:I am late, aren't I?
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Incorrect:Well, you're here, don't you?Correct:Well, you're here, aren't you?
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Incorrect:Well, you are here, don't you?Correct:Well, you are here, aren't you?
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Correct:You always shout when you're angry, don't you?
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Correct:You guys know who I am, don't you?
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Incorrect:I was late, didn't I?Correct:I was late, wasn't I?
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Correct:If he was to return at 7, why didn't he?
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Correct:It sure took you a long time to figure out what the problem was, didn't it?
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Incorrect:Well, you were there, didn't you?Correct:Well, you were there, weren't you?
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Correct:You were impressed with how Tom did that, weren't you?
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Incorrect:I'm not in trouble, do I?Correct:I'm not in trouble, am I?
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Incorrect:I am not in trouble, do I?Correct:I am not in trouble, am I?
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Incorrect:I wasn't in trouble, did I?Correct:I wasn't in trouble, was I?
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Incorrect:I was not in trouble, did I?Correct:I was not in trouble, was I?
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Incorrect:You're not shy, do you?Correct:You're not shy, are you?
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Incorrect:You are not shy, do you?Correct:You are not shy, are you?
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Incorrect:You weren't weird about it, did you?Correct:You weren't weird about it, were you?
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Incorrect:You were not weird about it, did you?Correct:You were not weird about it, were you?
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Incorrect:He's crazy, doesn't he?Correct:He's crazy, isn't he?
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Incorrect:He is crazy, doesn't he?Correct:He is crazy, isn't he?
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Correct:Tom's being here means a lot to you, doesn't it?
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Incorrect:It was a little off, didn't it?Correct:It was a little off, wasn't it?
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Incorrect:It's not very helpful, does it?Correct:It's not very helpful, is it?
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Incorrect:It is not very helpful, does it?Correct:It is not very helpful, is it?
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Incorrect:It isn't very helpful, does it?Correct:It isn't very helpful, is it?
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Incorrect:It wasn't very helpful, did it?Correct:It wasn't very helpful, was it?
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Incorrect:It was not very helpful, did it?Correct:It was not very helpful, was it?
