![[B-A] Spoken Grammar: Revise the Basics](https://images.ctfassets.net/r30ratzbtbbf/6NXOwVSTfbW0kM2U2qv8Xf/03c10674452dd1b8ddffd44947611b15/Spoken_grammar__Revise_the_basics.png)
LET'S READ! 📖
Direction: Read the passage below then answer the questions being asked.
Situation:
Sally attended a friend's wedding and she talked about it with Anna.
Sally
Anna
Well, I was out of the town the day before yesterday.
Sally
Oh, really? That's good? Where did you go?
Anna
I attended a friend's wedding. You know Carla, right?
Sally
Oh yeah! Your college schoolmate, right?
Anna
That's right!
Sally
And how was her wedding? Did you enjoy the event?
Anna
It was a lovely wedding. Though I was a bit indifferent to Carla's dress. I didn't think that much of her gown.
Sally
Didn't you?
Anna
Yeah, The color didn't suit her at all. It didn't even flatter her body type. Check this out. Anyway, I don't really opt for church weddings. The service went on for ages.
Sally
Did it really? I didn't know that.
Anna
And I was sitting right at the back so I couldn't hear the vicar. The music was nice though. They played the hymn about sheep.
Sally
Oh, did they? That was interesting! I would love to hear one soon.
Anna
Yeah, it was lovely. I must say I didn't enjoy the reception much. The food wasn't very palatable. And the bride's father made such a dense speech.
Sally
Did he really? What a pity.
Anna
And I got one of my headaches. Champagne always gives me a headache.
Sally
Oh, it does? That's bad.
Anna
And I was sitting next to that Mrs. Davids from down the road. I can't stand that woman. She's always criticising.
Sally
Can't you? Why?
Anna
Cause, she's always criticizing.
Sally
Wow! Is she really? That's rude.
Anna
Yes! Anyway, let's talk about our family gathering next week.
QUESTION
1. What did Anna say about Carla's dress?
2. How did Anna describe the speech of the bride's father during the wedding?
LET'S UNDERSTAND! 📚
Spoken Grammar
Revise the Basics: Question Tags
- question tags often follow sentences in speech and informal writing. They are used to check whether something is true, or to ask for agreement.
- question tags are usually negative (-) after affirmative (+) sentences.
-
You wouldn't like a slice of oat bread for breakfast, would you?
Example:
- we use they to refer to nobody/ no one, somebody/someone, everybody/everyone, and anybody/anyone.
-
Nobody phoned, did they?
-
Someone's left the lights on, haven't they?
Example:
- we use non-negative tags after words with a negative sense like never, no, nobody, hardly, scarcely, and little.
-
She never smiles, does she? (not....doesn't she)
-
It's hardly rained all summer, has it?
Example:
- we use it in question tags to refer to nothing.
-
Nothing can happen, can it?
Example:
- we use negative sentences + question tag for informal questions and requests.
-
You haven't seen Missy around, have you?
-
You can't lend me $7, can you?
Example:
- we can use won't you? to invite people to do things after imperatives and will/would/can/can't/could you? (informal) to tell or ask people to do things .
-
Give me a hand, will you?
-
(Do) sit down, won't you?
Example:
- we use will you? after a negative imperative. After Let's we use, shall we?
-
Don't forget, will you?
-
Let's have a party, shall we?
Example:
- if a tag is a real question, it has a rising intonation: the voice goes UP.
- if a tag only asks for agreement, it has a falling intonation: the voice goes DOWN.
Revise the Basics: short answers and reply questions
- In conversation, we often give short answers using pronoun + auxiliary verb.
-
Can he drive a truck? 'Yes, he can.'
Example:
- Reply questions using auxiliary verb+pronoun (like question tags) can express attention, interest, or surprise.
-
It was a terrible conference, was it? 'Yes.......
Example:
- Negative reply questions answering affirmative sentences can express emphatic agreement.
-
It was a lovely traditional presentation. 'Yes, wasn't it! I did enjoy it.'
Example:
- We can use short sentences (subject+auxiliary verb) to say that A is not the same as B.
-
I'm not ready.' 'I am.'
-
Kara doesn't like the new neighbors, but I do.
Example:
LET'S PRACTICE! 📝
Part I
Direction Write short affirmative (+) or negative (-) answers for these sentences.
-
Let's all write a letter
-
The bus stops's over there,
-
I didn't finish
-
I was late
Part II
Direction Read the prompt carefully and understand the scenario presented. Your mentor will act as your friend.
- You and your friend are planning a trip to a foreign country. Discuss the following details using tag questions. You should talk about the following:
📌 Destination: Decide on the destination for your trip.
📌 Duration: Determine how long you will stay.
📌 Transportation: Discuss the mode of transportation you will use.
📌 Accomodation: Talk about the type of accomodation you will book.
📌 Activities: Decide on the activities and attractions you want to explore.
Hi, Anna! What's up?