Question Tags
Last week, we looked at the grammar of question tags (also called tag questions). In this episode, we find out about two different intonation patterns you can use with this structure. Our challenger Giovanni can hear the difference - but can you?

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	Question Tags pronunciation

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We vary the intonation of a question tag depending on whether we are asking a real question, or just using the question tag to keep the conversation flowing. See below:

Real question - rising intonation

You will do it quickly,	won't you?
John and Mark aren't English,	are they?

Checking information or making conversation - falling intonation

We've seen that film,	haven't we?
Paul doesn't like mushrooms,	does he?

Listen to these sentences (mp3 - 67kb)

See more examples (pdf - 34k)
Download Catherine's full explanation (pdf - 35k)



Now it's your turn to practise your pronunciation. Go to our first quiz page here.

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