Official Syllabus Item: 7
Syntax & Sentence Mastery
Question Tags: Polarity Inversion, Auxiliary Concord & Irregular Exceptions
Master Question Tags for RIMC: polarity inversion (+/- rules), contracted auxiliaries, pronoun replacement, the 'I am -> aren't I?' anomaly, semi-negative traps (seldom, hardly, few), indefinite pronouns (everybody -> they), and imperative tags (Let's -> shall we?).
Overview & Fundamental Concept
A question tag is a mini-interrogative appended to the conclusion of an assertive or imperative statement to seek confirmation, verify consensus, or prompt polite agreement. In the RIMC Stage-I English descriptive examination, question tags constitute a dedicated 5-mark section. Scoring full marks demands rigorous adherence to three syntactic principles: polarity inversion, mandatory contracted negative forms, and pronoun concord. Examiners consistently test subtle edge cases: the 'I am -> aren't I?' anomaly, sentences containing deceptive semi-negative adverbs ('hardly', 'seldom', 'few'), indefinite pronouns triggering plural concord ('everybody -> they'), and modal shifts in imperative commands and suggestions.
Official Syllabus Coverage Breakdown
| Syllabus Item | Prescribed Scope | Exam Relevance & Pedagogical Objective |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Question Tags | Complete syntactic rules for appending question tags to affirmative, negative, and imperative statements, managing modal and tense concord, and mastering all irregular and idiomatic exceptions. |
1. The Three Cardinal Axioms of Question Tag Formation
Every legitimate question tag in English syntax is governed by three foundational axioms:
Axiom 1: The Law of Polarity Inversion
The tag must possess the opposite grammatical polarity of the statement to which it is attached:
• Positive Statement → Negative Tag: The cadet is disciplined, isn't he?
• Negative Statement → Positive Tag: The cadet is not late, is he?
Axiom 2: Mandatory Contracted Negative Forms
In negative tags, the negative particle 'not' must ALWAYS be contracted and attached directly to the auxiliary verb (e.g., isn't, aren't, hasn't, didn't, won't, can't, shouldn't). Full uncontracted forms (such as 'is not he?') are considered archaic and ungrammatical in RIMC evaluation.
Axiom 3: The Pronoun-Only Rule
The subject of a question tag must ALWAYS be a personal pronoun (I, we, you, he, she, it, they) or the introductory expletive 'there'. Proper nouns, common nouns, or noun phrases can NEVER appear inside a tag:
• Incorrect: Major Vikram fought bravely, didn't Major Vikram?
• Correct: Major Vikram fought bravely, didn't he?
Axiom 1: The Law of Polarity Inversion
The tag must possess the opposite grammatical polarity of the statement to which it is attached:
• Positive Statement → Negative Tag: The cadet is disciplined, isn't he?
• Negative Statement → Positive Tag: The cadet is not late, is he?
Axiom 2: Mandatory Contracted Negative Forms
In negative tags, the negative particle 'not' must ALWAYS be contracted and attached directly to the auxiliary verb (e.g., isn't, aren't, hasn't, didn't, won't, can't, shouldn't). Full uncontracted forms (such as 'is not he?') are considered archaic and ungrammatical in RIMC evaluation.
Axiom 3: The Pronoun-Only Rule
The subject of a question tag must ALWAYS be a personal pronoun (I, we, you, he, she, it, they) or the introductory expletive 'there'. Proper nouns, common nouns, or noun phrases can NEVER appear inside a tag:
• Incorrect: Major Vikram fought bravely, didn't Major Vikram?
• Correct: Major Vikram fought bravely, didn't he?
2. Tense, Auxiliary & Modal Concord in Standard Tags
The auxiliary verb of the tag must strictly mirror the tense and aspect of the main clause finite verb:
| Main Clause Verb Structure | Auxiliary Required in Tag | Illustrative Examination Statement | Complete Sentence with Valid Tag |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Verb 'To Be' (am, is, are, was, were) | Same form of 'be' | TheSiachen glacier is extremely cold. | The Siachen glacier is extremely cold, isn't it? |
| Simple Present (Lexical Verbs) | do / does (or don't / doesn't) | A true soldier respects his commanding officer. | A true soldier respects his commanding officer, doesn't he? |
| Simple Past (Lexical Verbs) | did (or didn't) | The reconnaissance squad detected the bunker. | The reconnaissance squad detected the bunker, didn't they? |
| Present/Past Perfect (has, have, had) | Same auxiliary: has, have, had | The cadets have completed their tactical briefing. | The cadets have completed their tactical briefing, haven't they? |
| Modal Auxiliaries (will, can, must, should) | Same modal: won't, can't, mustn't, shouldn't | Cadets must adhere to academy regulations. | Cadets must adhere to academy regulations, mustn't they? |
| 'Have' as a Main Lexical Verb (Possession) | don't / doesn't / didn't (or haven't / hasn't) | He has a new military compass. | He has a new military compass, doesn't he? (OR: hasn't he?) |
| 'Used to' (Habitual Past) | didn't | The old veterans used to assemble at this war memorial. | The old veterans used to assemble at this war memorial, didn't they? |
3. The High-Yield Edge Cases & Examiner Trap Triggers
The following five irregular categories are the most frequently tested areas in RIMC Stage-I English:
1. The 'I am' Anomaly:
In standard English, there is no contracted form 'amn't I?'. Therefore:
• Affirmative 'I am' takes 'aren't I?': I am selected for the academy, aren't I?
• Negative 'I am not' takes 'am I?': I am not disturbing the parade, am I?
2. Semi-Negative Words Trigger Positive Tags:
Statements containing words with negative import—such as hardly, scarcely, barely, seldom, rarely, little, few, neither, nor—are grammatically negative in meaning, even though their verb appears affirmative. They strictly require Positive Question Tags:
• Barking dogs seldom bite, do they? (NOT don't they?).
• The scout could hardly breathe in the dense blizzard, could he?
• Few candidates cleared the physical obstacle test, did they?
Note the contrast with positive quantifiers: 'A few candidates cleared the test, didn't they?'
3. Indefinite Pronouns for Persons → Plural Concord with 'THEY':
When the subject is an indefinite pronoun referring to people—everyone, everybody, someone, somebody, no one, nobody, anyone, anybody, neither, none—the subject pronoun in the tag MUST be 'they'.
Because 'they' is plural, the auxiliary verb in the tag must shift to its plural form, even if the verb in the main clause was singular:
• Everybody has arrived on parade, haven't they? (Notice: 'has' in statement → 'haven't' in tag to agree with 'they'!).
• Nobody phoned while the officer was away, did they? ('Nobody' is negative → positive tag).
• Someone left the armory unlocked, didn't they?
4. Indefinite Pronouns for Inanimate Objects → Neuter Pronoun 'IT':
When the subject is an indefinite pronoun referring to things—everything, something, nothing, anything—the subject pronoun in the tag is 'it':
• Nothing was stolen from the barracks, was it? ('Nothing' is negative → positive tag).
• Everything is in proper military order, isn't it?
5. Sentences with Introductory 'There':
When a sentence begins with introductory expletive 'There', 'there' is retained as the subject of the tag:
• There are fifty cadets in the mess, aren't there?
• There is no water in the canteen, is there?
1. The 'I am' Anomaly:
In standard English, there is no contracted form 'amn't I?'. Therefore:
• Affirmative 'I am' takes 'aren't I?': I am selected for the academy, aren't I?
• Negative 'I am not' takes 'am I?': I am not disturbing the parade, am I?
2. Semi-Negative Words Trigger Positive Tags:
Statements containing words with negative import—such as hardly, scarcely, barely, seldom, rarely, little, few, neither, nor—are grammatically negative in meaning, even though their verb appears affirmative. They strictly require Positive Question Tags:
• Barking dogs seldom bite, do they? (NOT don't they?).
• The scout could hardly breathe in the dense blizzard, could he?
• Few candidates cleared the physical obstacle test, did they?
Note the contrast with positive quantifiers: 'A few candidates cleared the test, didn't they?'
3. Indefinite Pronouns for Persons → Plural Concord with 'THEY':
When the subject is an indefinite pronoun referring to people—everyone, everybody, someone, somebody, no one, nobody, anyone, anybody, neither, none—the subject pronoun in the tag MUST be 'they'.
Because 'they' is plural, the auxiliary verb in the tag must shift to its plural form, even if the verb in the main clause was singular:
• Everybody has arrived on parade, haven't they? (Notice: 'has' in statement → 'haven't' in tag to agree with 'they'!).
• Nobody phoned while the officer was away, did they? ('Nobody' is negative → positive tag).
• Someone left the armory unlocked, didn't they?
4. Indefinite Pronouns for Inanimate Objects → Neuter Pronoun 'IT':
When the subject is an indefinite pronoun referring to things—everything, something, nothing, anything—the subject pronoun in the tag is 'it':
• Nothing was stolen from the barracks, was it? ('Nothing' is negative → positive tag).
• Everything is in proper military order, isn't it?
5. Sentences with Introductory 'There':
When a sentence begins with introductory expletive 'There', 'there' is retained as the subject of the tag:
• There are fifty cadets in the mess, aren't there?
• There is no water in the canteen, is there?
4. Imperative Sentences, Suggestions & 'Let' Syntactic Structures
Question tags for imperative sentences do not seek factual truth; rather, they soften an instruction, demand urgency, or propose a collective action:
| Imperative Type / Opening Structure | Required Question Tag | Underlying Syntactic Rationale | Authentic Model Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suggestion / Proposal with 'Let's' (Let us) | shall we? | Proposes a joint collective action involving the speaker and listener. | Let's begin the route march, shall we? |
| Permission Request with 'Let him / her / them' | will you? | Addresses the listener as a command or request to allow third parties. | Let the cadets rest in the barracks, will you? |
| Polite Command / Request (Positive Imperative) | will you? (or won't you?) | Invites willing compliance politely. | Pass the tactical map, will you? (OR: won't you?) |
| Negative Imperative ('Don't...') | will you? | Negative command mandates a positive modal tag. | Don't drop your service rifle, will you? |
| Impatient / Urgent Command | can't you? | Expresses irritation or urgent insistence. | Keep absolute silence during the briefing, can't you? |
5. Complex Sentences & Transferred Negation
In complex sentences consisting of a main matrix clause and a subordinate clause, special rules dictate which clause governs the question tag:
1. Sentences with 'I think / I believe / I suppose / I feel':
When a sentence opens with 'I think', 'I believe', or 'I suppose' followed by a that-clause, the question tag is formed from the subordinate clause, because the speaker is seeking confirmation of the factual assertion, not their own internal mental state:
• I think he is honest, isn't he? (NOT 'don't I?').
• I believe the cadets have completed the run, haven't they?
2. Transferred Negation:
When the main clause verb expresses negation through 'don't think' or 'don't believe', the negative meaning is transferred to the subordinate assertion. Consequently, the question tag must be Positive:
• I don't think he will survive the blizzard, will he? (The negative 'don't' in the matrix clause makes the whole assertion negative → positive tag).
3. Third-Person Matrix Clauses ('He thinks / She believes'):
When the subject of the matrix clause is third person (He thinks, They believe), the question tag is formed from the main clause itself:
• He thinks he is very clever, doesn't he?
1. Sentences with 'I think / I believe / I suppose / I feel':
When a sentence opens with 'I think', 'I believe', or 'I suppose' followed by a that-clause, the question tag is formed from the subordinate clause, because the speaker is seeking confirmation of the factual assertion, not their own internal mental state:
• I think he is honest, isn't he? (NOT 'don't I?').
• I believe the cadets have completed the run, haven't they?
2. Transferred Negation:
When the main clause verb expresses negation through 'don't think' or 'don't believe', the negative meaning is transferred to the subordinate assertion. Consequently, the question tag must be Positive:
• I don't think he will survive the blizzard, will he? (The negative 'don't' in the matrix clause makes the whole assertion negative → positive tag).
3. Third-Person Matrix Clauses ('He thinks / She believes'):
When the subject of the matrix clause is third person (He thinks, They believe), the question tag is formed from the main clause itself:
• He thinks he is very clever, doesn't he?
Illustrated Conceptual Diagrams & Visual Schematics
Question Tag Polarity Rules & Auxiliary Inversion Map
Golden Polarity Law: Positive Statement takes Negative Tag ('He is brave, isn't he?'). Negative Statement takes Positive Tag ('She cannot fail, can she?'). Irregular RIMC exam traps: 'I am' becomes 'aren't I?'; imperative requests become 'will you?'; 'Let's' becomes 'shall we?'. Words with negative meaning ('seldom', 'hardly', 'rarely') take POSITIVE tags.
Topper Strategy & Descriptive Step Breakdown
Mastering RIMC English Standard
In RIMC, clear step-by-step layout is essential. Write down all given values, declare formulas before substitution, and conclude with full sentences with proper units.
Official Descriptive Marking Scheme & Step Allocation
In RIMC Stage-I, answers without step justification receive only 20-30% of total marks even if the numeric answer is correct. Follow this strict 4-tier layout on every question:
Exemplary (90-100%)
Exemplary (90-100%)
Flawless polarity inversion (+/- rules); perfect contracted negative auxiliaries; error-free execution of the 'I am -> aren't I?' anomaly; accurate positive tags for semi-negative adverbs (seldom, hardly, few); seamless handling of indefinite pronouns with plural concord ('everybody -> haven't they?'); flawless imperative and 'Let's -> shall we?' tags with correct comma and question mark punctuation.
Proficient (75-89%)
Proficient (75-89%)
Accurate polarity inversion on standard statements; correct auxiliary identification; minor hesitation on semi-negative adverbs or complex clauses; correct terminal question mark.
Developing (50-74%)
Developing (50-74%)
Writing uncontracted tags ('is not he?'); writing 'amn't I?'; using singular auxiliary with 'they' ('everybody has... hasn't they?'); failing to recognize semi-negative words.
Unsatisfactory (<50%)
Unsatisfactory (<50%)
Complete failure of polarity rules (positive with positive); repeating nouns instead of pronouns; omitting question marks; total breakdown of auxiliary concord.
Examiner Traps & Common Blunders (Marks Penalties)
1 full mark lost on the sub-item.
Examiner Trap: The 'Amn't I?' Trap
1 full mark deducted in concord evaluation.
Examiner Trap: Singular Verb Concord with 'They' ('Hasn't they?')
Direct 0/1 on question tag item.
Examiner Trap: Adding a Negative Tag to Semi-Negative Sentences
0.5 to 1 mark deducted per occurrence.
Examiner Trap: Retaining Proper Nouns in the Question Tag
1 mark deducted in modal syntax.
Examiner Trap: Confusing 'Let's' with 'Let them / him'
Cadet Topper Mental Verification Shortcuts
The Polarity Battery Sign (+/-)
Think of question tags as a battery: if the left pole is (+), the right pole MUST be (-); if the left pole is (-), the right pole MUST be (+). Two pluses or two minuses will short-circuit your marks!
The 'Aren't I' Exception Lock
Chant: 'I am → aren't I? BUT I am not → am I?'. Lock this formula in your memory; it is tested in almost every alternate RIMC paper.
The 'Body/One → They' Concord Leap
Whenever you see 'everybody, someone, nobody, anyone', instantly jump to 'they' for the tag! Once you write 'they', adjust the auxiliary to plural: has → have; is → are; was → were.
The Semi-Negative Radar
Scan for the 'Silent Negatives': seldom, hardly, scarcely, barely, rarely, few, little. If any of these are present, the sentence is ALREADY negative! Slap a clean, affirmative (+) tag on it.
The 'Let's = Shall We' Rule
If it begins with 'Let's' or 'Let us', don't think twice—the tag is always 'shall we?'. For all other imperatives (shut the door, don't shout), write 'will you?'.
Vocabulary & Contextual Usage Bank
| Word / Idiom | Meaning & Authentic Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| Polarity (Syntactic Concept) | The syntactic polarity of the question tag must invert the affirmative or negative status of the principal clause. |
| Expletive 'There' (Grammatical Dummy Subject) | When the sentence opens with expletive 'there', 'there' is retained as the subject of the tag (There was an explosion, wasn't there?). |
| Seldom (Semi-Negative Adverb) | The veteran sniper seldom misses his designated target, does he? |
| Scarcely (Semi-Negative Adverb) | The reconnaissance scout could scarcely decipher the map in the twilight, could he? |
| Let's (Hortatory Imperative) | Let's initiate the perimeter patrol before nightfall, shall we? |
| Concord (Subject-Verb Harmony) | Subject-verb concord requires that 'they' in the question tag be accompanied by a plural auxiliary verb. |
| Imperative (Command/Request Form) | Secure the communications bunker immediately, will you? |
| Auxiliary (Helping Verb) | The primary auxiliary in the main clause determines the corresponding modal particle in the question tag. |
| Contraction (Phonetic Shortening) | In standard English question tags, the negative particle 'not' must undergo morphological contraction. |
| Barely (Semi-Negative Adverb) | The aircraft had barely touched down when the landing gear collapsed, had it? |
| Nobody (Negative Indefinite Pronoun) | Nobody anticipated the surprise amphibious assault, did they? |
| Transferred Negation (Semantic Phenomenon) | In 'I don't think he will succeed, will he?', the negative meaning is transferred to govern a positive question tag. |
Solved Model Examples (Descriptive Format with Step Mark Distribution)
Solved Model 1
Model Solution
Add suitable question tags to each of the following sentences:
(a) The cadets are ready for the cross-country race.
(b) Captain Roy has not submitted his after-action report.
(c) The sentries stood firm at their posts.
(d) We ought to respect our national martyrs.
(e) He will lead the commando squad.
Step-by-Step Model Solution:
(a) The cadets are ready for the cross-country race, aren't they?
(b) Captain Roy has not submitted his after-action report, has he?
(c) The sentries stood firm at their posts, didn't they?
(d) We ought to respect our national martyrs, oughtn't we? (OR: shouldn't we?)
(e) He will lead the commando squad, won't he?
Rough Column Working:
(a) are (positive) -> aren't they?
(b) has not (negative) -> has he?
(c) stood (past simple) -> didn't they?
(d) ought to -> oughtn't we? / shouldn't we?
(e) will (positive) -> won't he? (will not = won't).
(a) are (positive) -> aren't they?
(b) has not (negative) -> has he?
(c) stood (past simple) -> didn't they?
(d) ought to -> oughtn't we? / shouldn't we?
(e) will (positive) -> won't he? (will not = won't).
Step Mark Allocation:
- : 1 Mark Marks
- : 1 Mark Marks
- : 1 Mark Marks
- : 1 Mark Marks
- : 1 Mark Marks
Solved Model 2
Model Solution
Add appropriate question tags to the following sentences containing the 'I am' structure and semi-negative adverbs:
(a) I am responsible for the security of the armory.
(b) I am not eligible for the junior hockey tournament.
(c) Major Sandeep seldom loses his composure during combat.
(d) The recruits had hardly arrived at the base camp.
Step-by-Step Model Solution:
(a) I am responsible for the security of the armory, aren't I?
(b) I am not eligible for the junior hockey tournament, am I?
(c) Major Sandeep seldom loses his composure during combat, does he?
(d) The recruits had hardly arrived at the base camp, had they?
Rough Column Working:
(a) 'I am' -> aren't I?
(b) 'I am not' -> am I?
(c) 'seldom' makes clause negative -> positive tag 'does he?' (Present simple 'loses').
(d) 'hardly' makes clause negative -> positive tag 'had they?' (Past perfect 'had').
(a) 'I am' -> aren't I?
(b) 'I am not' -> am I?
(c) 'seldom' makes clause negative -> positive tag 'does he?' (Present simple 'loses').
(d) 'hardly' makes clause negative -> positive tag 'had they?' (Past perfect 'had').
Step Mark Allocation:
- : 1.25 Marks Marks
- : 1.25 Marks Marks
- : 1.25 Marks Marks
- : 1.25 Marks Marks
Solved Model 3
Model Solution
Add suitable question tags to sentences containing indefinite pronouns and explain the grammatical concord applied:
(a) Everybody was present at the morning muster.
(b) Nobody volunteered for the hazardous mission.
(c) Nothing can deter a disciplined cadet from his goal.
Step-by-Step Model Solution:
(a) Everybody was present at the morning muster, weren't they?
Explanation: Indefinite pronouns referring to persons ('everybody') take the plural pronoun 'they' in the tag. Consequently, the singular verb 'was' shifts to the plural auxiliary 'weren't' to agree with 'they'.
(b) Nobody volunteered for the hazardous mission, did they?
Explanation: 'Nobody' takes the pronoun 'they'. Since 'nobody' is an inherently negative word, the tag must be positive: 'did they?'.
(c) Nothing can deter a disciplined cadet from his goal, can it?
Explanation: 'Nothing' refers to an inanimate concept and takes the singular neuter pronoun 'it'. As 'nothing' is negative, the modal tag is positive: 'can it?'.
Rough Column Working:
(a) everybody -> they; was -> were; positive statement -> weren't they?
(b) nobody -> they; negative statement -> did they?
(c) nothing -> it; negative statement -> can it?
(a) everybody -> they; was -> were; positive statement -> weren't they?
(b) nobody -> they; negative statement -> did they?
(c) nothing -> it; negative statement -> can it?
Step Mark Allocation:
- : 1.75 Marks Marks
- : 1.75 Marks Marks
- : 1.5 Marks Marks
Solved Model 4
Model Solution
Add appropriate question tags to the following imperative sentences and suggestions:
(a) Let's organize a mock tactical exercise on Sunday.
(b) Please shut the briefing room door quietly.
(c) Don't venture beyond the barbed-wire perimeter fence.
(d) Let the junior cadets participate in the parade.
Step-by-Step Model Solution:
(a) Let's organize a mock tactical exercise on Sunday, shall we?
(b) Please shut the briefing room door quietly, will you? (OR: won't you?)
(c) Don't venture beyond the barbed-wire perimeter fence, will you?
(d) Let the junior cadets participate in the parade, will you?
Rough Column Working:
(a) Let's = suggestion -> shall we?
(b) Polite imperative -> will you? / won't you?
(c) Negative imperative -> will you?
(d) 'Let the junior cadets' = permission for 3rd person -> will you? (NOT shall we).
(a) Let's = suggestion -> shall we?
(b) Polite imperative -> will you? / won't you?
(c) Negative imperative -> will you?
(d) 'Let the junior cadets' = permission for 3rd person -> will you? (NOT shall we).
Step Mark Allocation:
- : 1.25 Marks Marks
- : 1.25 Marks Marks
- : 1.25 Marks Marks
- : 1.25 Marks Marks
Solved Model 5
Model Solution
Add question tags to sentences involving complex syntax and transferred negation:
(a) I think Cadet Rohit will win the gold medal in boxing.
(b) I don't believe the enemy can cross the river at night.
(c) He thinks that he is the most capable pilot in the squadron.
Step-by-Step Model Solution:
(a) I think Cadet Rohit will win the gold medal in boxing, won't he?
(b) I don't believe the enemy can cross the river at night, can they?
(c) He thinks that he is the most capable pilot in the squadron, doesn't he?
Rough Column Working:
(a) 'I think' -> tag follows subordinate clause ('Rohit will win' -> won't he?).
(b) 'I don't believe' -> transferred negation makes clause negative -> positive tag ('can they?').
(c) 'He thinks' (3rd person) -> tag follows main clause ('doesn't he?').
(a) 'I think' -> tag follows subordinate clause ('Rohit will win' -> won't he?).
(b) 'I don't believe' -> transferred negation makes clause negative -> positive tag ('can they?').
(c) 'He thinks' (3rd person) -> tag follows main clause ('doesn't he?').
Step Mark Allocation:
- : 1.75 Marks Marks
- : 1.75 Marks Marks
- : 1.5 Marks Marks
Solved Model 6
Model Solution
Identify and rectify the errors in the question tags appended to the following sentences:
(a) I am right, amn't I?
(b) Everyone has cleared the entrance test, hasn't he?
(c) Few soldiers retreated from the battle line, didn't they?
Step-by-Step Model Solution:
(a) I am right, aren't I?
Error: 'Amn't I' is ungrammatical; standard English mandates 'aren't I?'.
(b) Everyone has cleared the entrance test, haven't they?
Error: 'Everyone' takes the plural pronoun 'they' in question tags, requiring the plural auxiliary 'haven't'.
(c) Few soldiers retreated from the battle line, did they?
Error: 'Few' is a semi-negative quantifier that makes the statement negative; therefore, the tag must be positive ('did they?').
Rough Column Working:
Corrections:
(a) amn't I -> aren't I?
(b) hasn't he -> haven't they?
(c) didn't they -> did they?
Corrections:
(a) amn't I -> aren't I?
(b) hasn't he -> haven't they?
(c) didn't they -> did they?
Step Mark Allocation:
- : 1.5 Marks Marks
- : 1.75 Marks Marks
- : 1.75 Marks Marks
RIMC Practice & Drill Exercises
Attempt these questions on paper following proper step-wise conventions, then click Reveal Solution to verify your answers.
Question 1
5 Marks
Add a suitable question tag: 'The commanding officer rarely grants late-night town passes.'
Model Descriptive Solution:
does he?
Explanation:
'Rarely' is a semi-negative adverb that makes the assertion negative. In the Simple Present tense with third-person singular ('grants'), the positive auxiliary is 'does', and the pronoun is 'he'.
Question 2
5 Marks
Add a suitable question tag: 'Let's salute the national tricolor at the parade.'
Model Descriptive Solution:
shall we?
Explanation:
All hortatory suggestions and proposals opening with 'Let's' or 'Let us' take the fixed question tag 'shall we?'.
Question 3
5 Marks
Add a suitable question tag: 'Someone left the radio transmitter on.'
Model Descriptive Solution:
didn't they?
Explanation:
'Someone' refers to a person and takes the pronoun 'they' in the tag. Since the main statement is in the Simple Past ('left') and affirmative, the tag is negative: 'didn't they?'.
Question 4
5 Marks
Add a suitable question tag: 'I am selected to represent the college in marksmanship.'
Model Descriptive Solution:
aren't I?
Explanation:
The affirmative construction 'I am' takes the irregular contracted question tag 'aren't I?' in standard English.
Question 5
5 Marks
Add a suitable question tag: 'Nothing was stolen from the officer's tent during the storm.'
Model Descriptive Solution:
was it?
Explanation:
'Nothing' is an inherently negative word referring to inanimate things. It takes the singular neuter pronoun 'it' and requires a positive tag: 'was it?'.
Question 6
5 Marks
Add a suitable question tag: 'Don't reveal the tactical rendezvous coordinates to anyone.'
Model Descriptive Solution:
will you?
Explanation:
Negative imperative sentences ('Don't...') always take the positive modal question tag 'will you?'.
Question 7
5 Marks
Add a suitable question tag: 'The veterans used to march twenty miles every morning.'
Model Descriptive Solution:
didn't they?
Explanation:
'Used to' denotes habitual past action and is answered in the question tag by the past auxiliary 'didn't' along with pronoun 'they'.
Question 8
5 Marks
Add a suitable question tag: 'There were fifty parachutists aboard the transport aircraft.'
Model Descriptive Solution:
weren't there?
Explanation:
When a sentence opens with the introductory dummy subject 'There', 'there' is retained as the subject of the question tag.
Question 9
5 Marks
Add a suitable question tag: 'I don't think he will qualify for the commando course.'
Model Descriptive Solution:
will he?
Explanation:
In sentences opening with 'I don't think', negative transference occurs from the main clause to the subordinate clause, requiring a positive question tag ('will he?').
Question 10
5 Marks
Add a suitable question tag: 'Neither of the plans was approved by the general.'
Model Descriptive Solution:
were they?
Explanation:
'Neither' makes the statement negative and refers to options taken as 'they' in the question tag, demanding the plural auxiliary 'were': 'were they?'.
High-Yield FAQs & Revision Notes
Why does 'I am late' take 'aren't I?' instead of 'amn't I?' in question tags?
In the history of the English language, 'amn't' proved phonetically awkward to pronounce in contracted form. While 'amn't' survives in certain regional dialects (like Irish English), standard British and Indian English adopted 'aren't I?' as the universally recognized, grammatically correct form.
Why do 'everybody' and 'someone' take 'they' in the question tag if they take singular verbs in the sentence?
In English grammar, pronouns like 'everybody', 'someone', and 'nobody' are grammatically singular in the main clause, but semantically refer to a group or unspecified gender. When tag questions were standardized, English adopted singular/gender-neutral 'they' as their tag pronoun. Because 'they' is plural, the auxiliary verb must also shift to plural (e.g., 'Everybody is ready, aren't they?').
What are semi-negative words and why do they take positive question tags?
Semi-negative words include adverbs and quantifiers such as 'hardly', 'scarcely', 'barely', 'seldom', 'rarely', 'little', and 'few'. Even though the sentence verb lacks 'not', these words render the entire assertion negative. By the Law of Polarity Inversion, negative statements demand positive tags (e.g., 'He rarely speaks, does he?').
What is the difference between tags for 'few' vs 'a few'?
'Few' has a negative meaning ('hardly any'), so the sentence takes a positive tag: 'Few cadets failed, did they?'. Conversely, 'a few' has a positive meaning ('some'), so the sentence takes a negative tag: 'A few cadets failed, didn't they?'.
What is the question tag for an imperative sentence?
For polite requests and orders, the tag is 'will you?' (or 'won't you?'). For negative imperatives ('Don't...'), the tag is strictly 'will you?'. For urgent or impatient commands, 'can't you?' is used. For suggestions with 'Let's', 'shall we?' is required.
Can a question tag ever contain a proper noun like 'Rohan' or 'India'?
Never. Axiom 3 of question tag formation states that the subject of a tag must always be a personal pronoun (I, we, you, he, she, it, they) or the dummy expletive 'there'. Proper nouns and common nouns must be replaced by their corresponding pronouns.
What tag is used for 'used to'?
The habitual past modal 'used to' is treated like a simple past verb in question tags, taking 'didn't + pronoun?' (e.g., 'He used to live in Dehradun, didn't he?').
How do I add a question tag to 'I think he is honest'?
When a sentence begins with 'I think', 'I believe', or 'I suppose', the speaker is expressing an opinion about the subordinate clause. The question tag is formed from the subordinate clause: 'I think he is honest, isn't he?' (NOT 'don't I?').
What is transferred negation in question tags?
Transferred negation happens when the negative particle is placed on the introductory verb rather than the subordinate clause (e.g., 'I don't think he will pass'). Grammatically, the statement is expressing 'I think he will not pass'. Therefore, the question tag must be positive: 'will he?'.
What tag is used with 'have' when it expresses possession or an activity?
When 'have/has/had' is used as a main lexical verb indicating an activity (e.g., 'They had dinner'), the tag takes 'did/do/does' ('didn't they?'). When indicating possession (e.g., 'He has a car'), modern English permits either 'doesn't he?' or 'hasn't he?', with 'doesn't he?' being preferred in descriptive grammar.
How does this topic relate to the official RIMC syllabus?
This module directly covers Serial No. 7 of the broader syllabus published in Chapter 8 of the official RIMC admission brochure, ensuring 100% syllabus alignment.
Last-Minute Cadet High-Yield Revision Matrix
| Topic / Concept | High-Yield Exam Rules & Memory Anchor |
|---|---|
| Checkpoint 1 | Opposite polarity: (+) statement -> (-) tag; (-) statement -> (+) tag. |
| Checkpoint 2 | Always use contracted negatives in tags: isn't, haven't, didn't, won't. |
| Checkpoint 3 | 'I am' takes 'aren't I?'; 'I am not' takes 'am I?'. |
| Checkpoint 4 | Semi-negatives (hardly, scarcely, seldom, rarely, few, little) take POSITIVE tags. |
| Checkpoint 5 | 'Everybody / Nobody / Someone' take plural pronoun 'THEY' and plural auxiliary in the tag. |
| Checkpoint 6 | 'Let's' takes 'shall we?'; other imperatives take 'will you?'. |