Definition of the word question tag

The term "question tag" in linguistics refers to a type of grammatical structure typically added to the end of a declarative sentence to make it sound more like a question. These tags are also known as "tag questions" or "question forms." In English, common question tags include "isn't it?" (as in "She's a doctor, isn't she?"), "aren't they?" (as in "They play next week, aren't they?") and "didn't I?" (as in "I finished the project, didn't I?"). These question tags serve a number of functions in speech, including checking facts, confirming understanding, and inviting agreement or disagreement. The origin of the term "question tag" can be traced back to the mid-20th century, when linguists began to study patterns of speech and the ways in which sentences are constructed and understood. In his influential book "Syntax" (1957), the linguist Zellig Harris introduced the term "tag question" to describe a type of sentence that appears to be a question, but actually functions as a statement. Harris noted that tag questions are a feature of informal spoken English, often used by speakers to check the accuracy of their own statements, and suggested that they should be studied as a distinct linguistic phenomenon. Since then, linguists have continued to investigate the unusual grammar of question tags, which many consider to be a distinct grammatical genre. Some researchers have argued that question tags represent a hybrid between statements and questions, while others suggest that they are a uniquely English feature that reflects the grammar of the language. Regardless of their origins, question tags remain an intriguing area of research for linguists interested in the ways in which speech is constructed and understood.