5 exercises — practise forming tag questions with auxiliaries and modals, and learn when they are appropriate in technical meetings, chat, and documentation.
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1 / 20
A DevOps engineer wants to confirm a technical assumption with a colleague. Which tag question is grammatically correct?
"The Redis cache is enabled... isn't it?" is correct. The main clause uses the present simple "is" (positive statement), so the tag uses the auxiliary "is" negated → "isn't it?" Rule: positive statement + negative tag. The subject of the tag must match the subject of the main clause; since "the cache" = "it", the tag uses "it". Option B ("is it?") — positive tag after positive statement — is used for genuine surprise or scepticism ("Really? Is it?"), not for confirmation. Option C ("doesn't it?") wrongly uses "do/does" — the auxiliary must match: the main clause uses "is", so the tag uses "is". Option D ("wasn't it?") incorrectly shifts to past tense.
2 / 20
Which tag question correctly follows a negative statement?
"The tests don't run in parallel, do they?" is correct. Rule: negative statement + positive tag. The main clause is negative ("don't run"), so the tag must be positive ("do they?"). The auxiliary in the tag ("do") matches the auxiliary in the main clause ("don't" = do + not). The subject "the tests" = "they" in the tag. Option A uses a negative tag after a negative statement — double negative, wrong. Option C uses "aren't" — wrong auxiliary (the main clause uses "do", not "be"). Option D uses "isn't it" — wrong auxiliary and wrong pronoun (tests = they, not it).
3 / 20
A scrum master is closing a sprint retrospective. Which use of a tag question is most effective for checking team agreement?
Option A is the best example: the tag question "haven't we?" after a positive perfect statement ("we've agreed") is grammatically correct (positive → negative tag, "have" matches "have", "we" = "we"). Following it with "Does anyone have concerns?" is excellent meeting facilitation — it invites dissent rather than just seeking passive agreement. Option B is grammatically correct but undermines the scrum master's authority ("I'm not sure about this" makes the agreement seem unresolved). Option C uses "isn't it?" — wrong auxiliary (main clause uses "have", not "be") and wrong subject pronoun. Option D ("didn't we?") shifts to past simple, inconsistent with the present perfect "have agreed".
4 / 20
Which tag question correctly uses a modal verb in a technical context?
"...shouldn't it?" is correct. When the main clause contains a modal verb ("should"), the tag question uses the same modal negated: should → shouldn't. Subject "this endpoint" = "it" in the tag. Positive statement → negative tag. Option B ("should it?") is a positive tag after a positive statement — used for rhetorical questioning or scepticism ("Should it? I'm not so sure"), not for confirmation. Option C ("doesn't it?") incorrectly uses "do/does" — always match the modal. Option D ("won't it?") uses the wrong modal — "won't" introduces future prediction, while "should" expresses expectation/obligation. The modal in the tag must be the same modal as in the main clause.
5 / 20
Which statement about using tag questions in IT professional communication is most accurate?
Option B correctly describes the register distribution of tag questions in IT. In spoken contexts — sprint meetings, daily stand-ups, technical calls, team discussions — tag questions are natural and effective for confirming shared understanding, checking agreement, and inviting participation ("The deployment looks stable, doesn't it?"). In written chat (Slack, Teams), short tag questions appear naturally. However, tag questions are rare in technical documentation, API references, formal reports, and business emails — these contexts use direct statements, imperative sentences, or explicit questions ("Is the cache enabled?"). Option A is too restrictive. Option C is too broad. Option D is incorrect — non-native speakers should learn tag questions as they are common in business English spoken contexts.
6 / 20
Scenario: Kenji, a DevOps engineer, is configuring a new CI/CD pipeline. He asks his colleague, Emily: 'The deployment script doesn't use environment variables for sensitive data, does it?' Which of the following best describes the function of this tag question in a technical communication context?
Kenji's question confirms a specific technical detail – the absence of environment variables for sensitive data. This is crucial in ensuring security and compliance. Options A introduces a broader recommendation, C focuses on overall security, and D proposes a more extensive discussion rather than confirming a single point.
7 / 20
Scenario: Luca, a team lead, is leading a stand-up meeting. He asks the development team: 'The new API endpoint doesn't require authentication, does it?' What is the MOST effective use of tag questions in this scenario?
Luca uses the tag question to quickly confirm a key technical detail (no authentication requirement) – this allows for rapid agreement and avoids unnecessary discussion. It's efficient in a stand-up context. Options A and D introduce broader discussions or assumptions, while C is not directly related to confirming the immediate point.
8 / 20
Scenario: Kenji, a DevOps engineer, is configuring a new CI/CD pipeline. He asks his colleague, Emily: 'The deployment script doesn't use environment variables for sensitive data, does it?' Which of the following best describes the function of this tag question in a technical communication context?
Kenji's question confirms a specific technical detail – the absence of environment variables for sensitive data. This is crucial in ensuring security and compliance. Options A introduces a broader recommendation, C focuses on overall security, and D proposes a more extensive discussion rather than confirming a single point.
9 / 20
Scenario: Luca, a team lead, is leading a stand-up meeting. He asks the development team: 'The new API endpoint doesn't require authentication, does it?' What is the MOST effective use of tag questions in this scenario?
Luca uses the tag question to quickly confirm a key technical detail (no authentication requirement) – this allows for rapid agreement and avoids unnecessary discussion. It's efficient in a stand-up context. Options A and D introduce broader discussions or assumptions, while C is not directly related to confirming the immediate point.
10 / 20
Maria, a QA engineer is reviewing code for a new feature. She comments: 'The database connection string isn't using SSL encryption, is it?' Which of the following best demonstrates the correct use of a tag question in this situation?
Tag questions like this one are ideal for quickly and efficiently checking assumptions made by developers. The core purpose of the tag question here is to confirm that Maria's understanding of the codebase aligns with the actual implementation. Using a direct statement would be more verbose and less effective in this scenario.
11 / 20
David, a senior developer is explaining a complex algorithm to a junior team member. He says: 'The function doesn't handle edge cases correctly, does it?' What's the primary reason this tag question is suitable in this context?
Tag questions like this one are often used to gauge comprehension without directly challenging someone's knowledge. The question subtly checks if the junior developer recognizes the potential for errors, prompting further clarification or explanation if needed – it's a gentle check-in, not an accusation.
12 / 20
Sarah, a technical writer is drafting documentation for a new API. She writes: 'The API endpoint doesn't require authorization tokens, does it?' What grammatical adjustment would improve the clarity and precision of this sentence?
While tag questions are common, overly relying on them can lead to slightly awkward phrasing. Adding 'before making requests' provides essential context and clarifies that the absence of authorization is a condition for accessing the endpoint. This improves precision over simply using a tag question.
13 / 20
Chloe, a product manager is discussing feature prioritization with her development team. She states: 'The new UI component doesn't impact existing user workflows, does it?' What is the MOST effective way to use tag questions during this discussion?
Tag questions are best used strategically – not as a default method of communication. In this scenario, they're effective for quickly confirming key assumptions about potential impacts, but overuse can stifle discussion and prevent deeper exploration of potential issues. It's about targeted confirmation, not constant interrogation.
14 / 20
Mark is reviewing a pull request for a new microservice. He comments: 'The service doesn't use Docker containers, does it?' Which of the following best describes Mark's use of a tag question?
Tag questions like this are used to quickly check a simple assumption. Here, Mark is confirming that he and his colleague agree that Docker isn't being used – it's a straightforward verification, not a debate or instruction. Options A and B represent more complex interactions, while option D is an opportunity for explanation rather than confirmation.
15 / 20
During a daily standup, Alex, a developer, says: 'The database migration script doesn't use parameterized queries, does it?' What is the primary *reason* this tag question is suitable in this context?
Tag questions in standups are usually used for quick checks on shared understanding and adherence to established processes. In this case, Alex is confirming that the team is using parameterized queries – a key best practice for preventing SQL injection vulnerabilities. Option A describes the *result* of not doing so, not the purpose of the question itself.
16 / 20
Sophie, a senior engineer, is writing a comment on a code review: 'The function doesn't handle null values gracefully, does it?' What potential issue might Sophie be trying to highlight?
Tag questions are frequently used when a developer suspects an issue with error handling. Sophie's question directly probes whether the function is robust enough to deal with potentially missing or invalid input – this is a common source of bugs and crashes in software development. Options A, B, and C represent different types of problems.
17 / 20
Ben, a security engineer, is reviewing a new web application deployment. He asks his colleague, Liam: 'The authentication flow doesn't use multi-factor authentication, does it?' Which of the following best explains Ben's use of this tag question?
Tag questions like this are often used to gently probe understanding and ensure alignment. Ben isn't directly criticizing Liam; instead, he's seeking confirmation that Liam recognizes the importance of MFA. Option C is incorrect because it suggests a demand for immediate action – tag questions usually invite discussion, not directives. Option D captures the core purpose: confirming consideration of risks.
18 / 20
During a Slack conversation about troubleshooting a failing API endpoint, Maya asks David: 'The error logs don't show any specific exceptions, do they?' What is the primary benefit of using this tag question in this scenario?
Tag questions frequently serve as quick checks for mutual understanding. In this case, Maya is seeking confirmation with David that they both recognize the lack of specific exceptions – this avoids redundant investigation and clarifies their shared assessment of the problem. Options 1 and 3 are less effective; option 4 introduces an unnecessary escalation.
19 / 20
Liam, a developer, is reviewing a pull request for a new feature. He asks his team lead, Sarah: 'The code doesn't use asynchronous operations, does it?' What purpose does this tag question primarily serve in the context of a code review?
Tag questions like this are most effective for seeking confirmation and ensuring mutual understanding during a code review. The question isn't about *suggesting* an alternative; it's about verifying that Sarah comprehended Liam's reasoning regarding asynchronous operations. Options A, C, and D represent more confrontational or directive uses of tag questions.
20 / 20
Sarah, a QA engineer, is writing a bug report. She states: 'The feature doesn't handle invalid input correctly, does it?' What is the *primary* benefit of using this tag question in this context?
The core function of this tag question is to prompt action. By asking 'does it,' Sarah is directly requesting confirmation that the developer has observed and understands the issue, thereby facilitating a faster resolution. Options A, C and D misrepresent the purpose of using tag questions in bug reports.
What will I practise in "Tag Questions in IT Communication — Grammar Exercise"?
Practise forming and using tag questions in IT professional contexts: confirming technical assumptions, sprint meetings, modal verbs in tags, and understanding
How many exercises are in this module?
This module has 20 multiple-choice exercises, each with instant feedback and a full explanation of the correct answer.
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You'll immediately see which answer was correct, plus a full explanation covering the grammar rule and reasoning behind it — mistakes are where most of the learning happens.
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How is this different from reading an article on the same topic?
Articles explain grammar rules in prose; this exercise tests and reinforces those rules through active recall with immediate feedback — the two work best together.
Who writes these exercises?
Every exercise is written by the CoderSlingo team, drawing on real workplace English used in IT roles, then reviewed for accuracy and clarity.