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April 17, 2001
TAG QUESTIONS
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Tag questions are short questions added to the end of declarative sentences.
Examples:
You washed the car, didn't you? ("didn't you" = tag question)
Ben hasn't finished his homework, has he? ("has he" = tag question)
Be careful, won't you? ("won't you" = tag question)
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1. Tag questions are set off from the earlier part of the sentence by a comma.
2. Tag questions should be avoided in formal writing.
3. Overusing tag questions can create an impression of uncertainty or a lack of confidence.
4. When the earlier part of the sentence is positive, the tag question is negative:
Jimmy has blue eyes = positive statement
doesn't he = negative tag question
Combined: Jimmy has blue eyes, doesn't he?
5. When the earlier part of the sentence is negative, the tag question is positive.
Darlene isn't a member = negative statement
is she = positive tag question
Combined: Darlene isn't a member, is she?
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SPELLING OR WRITING TIP
When writing about units of measurement and specific locations, spell out the appropriate words; do not abbreviate them:
WRONG:
Hal was born in Va. sixteen yrs. ago.
CORRECT:
Hal was born in Virginia sixteen years ago.
WRONG:
Karli is 5 ft. 2 in. tall.
CORRECT:
Karli is 5'2" tall.
-or-
Karli is 5 feet 2 inches tall.
-or-
Karli is five feet two inches tall.
[Follow the prevailing convention in the style you are using.]
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NEW WORD OF THE WEEK:
KABUKI (ka-boo'ke) noun: A popular form of Japanese drama evolving from the older "No" theater in which elaborately costumed performers, generally male, perform both tragedies and comedies using stylized movements, dances, and songs.
Wanda and I attended a Kabuki drama last evening.
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YOUR GRAMMAR AND WRITING QUESTIONS
QUESTION: Can you tell me how to improve writing and grammar? English is not my native language. I'm afraid to write; what should I do?
GRAMMARCHECK: In the past, teachers taught students to become good writers by having them copy good writing samples with the idea that students would absorb the writing skills through study and practice of the models. Even though that method is popular no longer, it did work to a certain extent. You may want to copy passages from the newspaper, a magazine, or a book. This will help you become familiar with English syntax and style.
Also, you may want to enroll in an English class for non-native speakers (commonly referred to as "ESL" or "English as a Second Language"). Such classes may be available through a local college or via a social services network. Check the telephone yellow pages.
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QUESTION: Which is correct?
Everyone is welcome.
-or-
Everyone is welcomed.
GRAMMARCHECK: It depends on how the word is used. The first usage, "welcome," can be a noun meaning to be received with pleasure and hospitality:
Everyone is welcome in my home!
The second usage is a verb:
Peter warmly welcomed his guests.
-or-
Peter exclaimed, "Everyone is welcomed!"
Choose your usage accordingly.
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QUESTION: Is it true that both the following are correct?
Charles's ball
-or-
Charles' ball
GRAMMARCHECK: Right you are! When nouns end in -s, the possessive can be indicated either with an apostrophe, or with an apostrophe followed by an -s.
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QUESTION: First, thank you very much for your grammar newsletter. Second, I have a grammar question on how to spell "Web site." I have seen these references:
website
web site
Website
Web site
My thoughts are that because "Web" is short for "World Wide Web," the correct spelling should be "Web site." Please let me know what you think.
GRAMMARCHECK: Like you, we also have seen many variant forms of this term. Increasingly, we are finding that "Web" is capitalized because it does, indeed, refer to the proper term, World Wide Web. The term appears to be evolving still, which means we are likely to continue to see a number of spellings. However, we are willing to go on record in this newsletter to suggest that "Web" should be capitalized.
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QUESTION: What is the difference between "May I?" and "Can I?" What is the proper way to use them?
GRAMMARCHECK: "May I?" asks permission to do something:
May I go the restroom?
May I help you with your coat?
May I have permission to quote you?
On the other hand, "Can I?" suggests capability or competence. However, sometimes it also refers to receiving permission or authority:
Can I pass this course by studying every night?
Can I have ten dollars to go to the movies?
Can I drive to New York in ten hours or less?
In everyday speech, people often confuse the two terms. Be more careful to use them appropriately in writing.
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