Question tags are formed with the auxiliary or modal verb from the statement and the appropriate subject.
1. A positive statement is followed by a negative question tag.
- Jack is from Spain, isn't he?
- Mary can speak English, can't she?
A negative statement is followed by a positive question tag.
- They aren't funny, are they?
- He shouldn't say things like that, should he?
2. When the verb in the main sentence is in the present simple we form the question tag with do / does.
- You play the guitar, don't you?
- Alison likes tennis, doesn't she?
3. If the verb is in the past simple we use did.
- They went to the cinema, didn't they?
- She studied in New Zealand, didn't she?
4. When the statement contains a word with a negative meaning, the question tag needs to be positive
- He hardly ever speaks, does he?
- They rarely eat in restaurants, do they?