Question Tags - In conversation, we often make a statement and ask for confirmation; as, 'It's very cold, isn't it?' The later part ('isn't it/') is called a question tag. The pattern is (1) auxiliary + n't + subject, if the statement is positive, (2) auxiliary + subject, if the statement is negative.
1. You are busy, aren't you?
2. James can not swim well. Can he?
Note that the subject of the question tag is always a pronoun, never a noun.
Short answers - The most useful form of short answers to verbal questions (i.e. questions beginning with an auxiliary) are as follows:
Yes + pronoun + auxiliary
Or
No + pronoun + auxiliary + n't (not)
1. Are you going to college ?
Yes, I am.
Or
No, I am not.
2. Does Rebecca work hard?
Yes, she does.
Or
No, she does not.
Agreements and Disagreements with Statements
1. Agreements with affirmative statements are made with Yes/So/Of course + pronoun + auxiliary.
Ken has already left. - So he has.
2. Agreements with negative statements are made with No + pronoun + auxiliary + n't/ not.
They haven't danced well. - No, they haven't.
3. Disagreements with affirmative statements are made with No/Oh no + pronoun + auxiliary + n't/ not.
He is joking. - Oh no, he isn't.
4. Disagreements with negative statements are made with (Oh) yes/ (Oh) but + pronoun + auxiliary.
You don't know him. - Oh yes, I do.
Additions to Remarks
1. Affirmative additions to affirmative remarks are made with So + auxiliary + subject.
Thomas was late for the event. So were you.
2. Negative additions to negative remarks are made with Nor/ Neither + auxiliary + subject.
Peter doesn't like fruits. Nor do I.
3. Negative additions to affirmative remarks are made with But + subject + auxiliary + n't/not.
She knows how to sing. But her husband doesn't.
4. Affirmative additions to negative remarks are made with But + subject + auxiliary.
Derek can't play hockey. But I can.