answer of the tag questions
Hi, I have some questions related to the answers to the tag questions.

1. You weren't listening, were you? --- Yes, I was! - is this meaning I was listening?

2. They won't mind if I take a photo, will they? -- No, of course, they won't - is this meaning that they don't mind if I take a photo, so I can take a photo. is it right?

3. You have to move a heavy table. You want Joe to give you a hand with it. Ask him
A: Joe, you couldn't give me a hand, could you? - in this case, could I replace could to will?

Thank you

Question

answer of the tag questions
Hi, I have some questions related to the answers to the tag questions.

1. You weren't listening, were you? --- Yes, I was! -> is this meaning I was listening?

2. They won't mind if I take a photo, will they? -- No, of course, they won't -> is this meaning that they don't mind if I take a photo, so I can take a photo. is it right?

3. You have to move a heavy table. You want Joe to give you a hand with it. Ask him
A: Joe, you couldn't give me a hand, could you? -> in this case, could I replace could to will?

Thank you

Answer

Just to clarify from Elena's answer on number 3: You can't replace just one "could" to "will" (e.g., The sentence "Joe, you couldn't give me a hand, will you?" is incorrect). You could say "Joe, you wouldn't give me a hand, would you?" and the meaning would be just as polite as the original, although it is less commonly used. Bottom line: the verb in the second (question) part of the sentence has to match the verb in the beginning of the sentence.

There isn't really a way I can think of to use this kind of reaffirming question sentence construction with the word "will." To use "will," you'd have to ask a direct question (e.g., "Joe, will you give me a hand?")

Answer

1. Yes
2. Yes
3. Yes, but it'll sound less polite

Answer

là sao nhỉ ????