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Tag Questions

Tag questions are used when seeking confirmation of what one believes to be true. They restate, in question form, the previously spoken sentence. If the statement is positive, the tag question will be negative. For example,

He,s a police officer,isn't he?	(Positive statement, negative tag)
They're not from around here,are they?	(Negative statement, positive tag)
Jack is really angry,isn't he?	(Positive statement, negative tag)
She's going to leave him,isn't she?	(Positive statement, negative tag)
You've never been to Japan,have you?	(Negative statement, positive tag)
The kids are playing in their room,aren't they?	(Positive statement, negative tag)
You went to Jim's house, didn't you?	(Positive statement, negative tag)
John doesn't live in Missouri, does he?	(Negative statement, positive tag)
Mr. Kim just bought a new car, didn't he?	(Positive statement, negative tag)

In statements using the ~to be~ verb, the ~to be~ verb is also used in the tag question.

You're the sherif, aren't you?
He is a teacher, isn't he?
You weren't there, were you?

In statements using modal verbs, model verbs are also used in the tag question.

You couldn't come, could you?
Jim shouldn't be here, should he?
You can do this, can't you?
Sam will be at the party, won't he?

For statements using all other verbs, the tag question uses the auxiliary verb do.

The children like ice cream, don't they?
I don't want to go out tonight, do you?

Note: When the subject is "I" and the statement is in present tense, aren't is commonly used for tag questions.

I'm the winner, aren't I? (Common usage)
I'm the winner, am I not? (Formal)