affirmative + affirmative question tag

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Teo

#472589 Mon, 04 Feb 08 05:36 PM

He's worked hard, _____ he? (A)hasn't(B)has

The answer is choice A. But I think choice B is also acceptable, although A is more common than B. Am I right?

Teo

Joined on Tue, Sep 28 2004

Taiwan

Contributing Member (1,619)

Thank you very much for your reply.

Grammar Geek

#472598 Mon, 04 Feb 08 05:50 PM

A is the correct choice on any exam.

When you follow a positive statement with a positive tag, it is used as a threat, or to express sarcasm, or other negative emotions.

Someone say that he's worked hard, and you refute that: He's worked hard, has he? Don't believe a word of it. I saw him sleeping on the job and leaving early every day he was there.

Grammar Geek

Joined on Tue, Jan 10 2006

Pennsylvania, USA

Veteran Member (15,958)

Barbara, who answers in American English.

Negatives

Teo

#472612 Mon, 04 Feb 08 06:13 PM

Grammar Geek wrote:

Someone say that he's worked hard, and you refute that: He's worked hard, has he? Don't believe a word of it. I saw him sleeping on the job and leaving early every day he was there.

Should we use a falling intonation or rising intonation to read He's worked hard, has he?

Teo

Grammar, Intonations

Grammar Geek

#472615 Mon, 04 Feb 08 06:16 PM

For this aggressive/saracstic use? Rising.

Grammar Geek

Kooyeen

#472618 Mon, 04 Feb 08 06:24 PM

wrote:

Should we use a falling intonation or rising intonation to read He's worked hard, has he?

Hi,
maybe it's more important to consider the intonation of the first part, rather than of the tag. I think the tag is said with a "typical" intonation for a tag, but the first part is not the same as a "typical" statement.
Anyway, I'm not sure, because I've never heard a "same-polarity" tag in all my life, lol. Smile [:)]

Kooyeen

Joined on Thu, Dec 22 2005

Italy

Senior Member (4,033)

If you don't have a sense of humor already, it's about time you buy one.

Intonations

Grammar Geek

#472629 Mon, 04 Feb 08 07:04 PM

I've finished cleaning my room.
Oh you did, did you? Well, why don't I take a look and see if my standard of clean is the same as yours. Since you only started five minutes ago, I doubt it.

Hey buddy, move. This is my seat!
Oh, it is, is it? You and which army are going to make me move?

Grammar Geek

CalifJim

#472797 Tue, 05 Feb 08 04:24 AM

[ M ]aybe it's more important to consider the intonation of the first part, rather than of the tag. I think the tag is said with a "typical" intonation for a tag, but the first part is not the same as a "typical" statement.

To my ear, all of the intonation patterns are complex; I'm not sure they can be boiled down to a simple rising or falling intonation. The following are only rough approximations.

      -    \    \_     _
1. You did, didn't you?    ["I'm sure you did." More like a statement.]

-    \    _ /     -
2. You did, didn't you?    [True question.]

-    \      - / -
3. You did, did you?   ["I'm doubful you did." I challenge it.]

    \   _    _   /
4. I did. Did you?    [For purposes of comparison. Different stress pattern.]
___________

The starting pitch may be lower in the didn't of 2 than in the corresponding did of 3.
There is more of a pause at the comma in 2 than at the corresponding place in 3.

CJ