Speakeasy

Tag along

If we want to ask for information, we usually use direct questions. However, sometimes we just want to keep the conversation going or confirm information. This week�s conversation takes a look at some helpful question tags. A question tag is a short phrase such as isn�t it or don�t you that is added to the end of a sentence to check information or to ask if someone agrees with you. Practise this week�s conversation with a friend and, using the correct question tag, fill in the blanks.

Photograph courtesy of Bangkok Post

Paul:          You�re coming to Steve�s wedding, .................1.....................?

Pop:  I don�t know yet. I�ll have to wait and see.

Paul:           The cocktail party starts at 6, .................2.....................?

Pop: I think so, but I�m not sure. Take a look at the invitation card. You did get one, ..................3....................?

Paul:           I don�t remember getting one, actually.

Pop: Suzy won�t be at the party, .................4.....................?

Paul:     Geez! Why are you asking me all these questions? You weren�t even invited to the wedding, .................5.....................?

Pop: It looks like they didn�t invite me.

Paul:           Don�t worry. You don�t want to hang out with a bunch of hi-so types anyway. I�ll get out early and we can go somewhere else. Forget Suzy �  there are plenty more fish in the  sea.

Possible Answers

a. Didn�t you?

b. Will she?

c. Aren�t you?

d. Doesn�t it?

e. Were you?

Vocabulary

cocktail party (n): a formal social occasion, usually in the early evening

invitation (n): a card or piece of paper that you use to invite somebody  to something

Idiom

plenty more fish in the sea: there are many other people that are as good as the one somebody has failed to get, usually used in the context of relationships