Question about 'needn't' As a general rule, mustn't had to be used in a tag question when the possitive main clause includes 'must' . When do you think 'needn't' or 'isn't' or 'don't' had to be use

Sanya

Question about 'needn't' As a general rule, mustn't had to be used in a tag question when the possitive main clause includes 'must' . When do you think 'needn't' or 'isn't' or 'don't' had to be used in the tag question? Thank you!When do you think 'needn't' or 'isn't' or 'don't' has to be used in the tag question if the positive main clause includes 'must'? Thank you! I have notived that 'needn't' is used when 'must' is in the positive main clause in some grammar books. Do you think it is normal in the English language? Have you ever seen this usage? Here are some examples from my grammar books: We must look over our test papers before we hand them in, needn't we? He must leave early because he isn't feeling well, needn't he? We must obey the rules of the school, needn't we? Jodging by the smell, the food must be good, isn't it? She must have arrived by air, hasn't she? You must have read the book last month, didn't you?

Nov 18, 2012 11:22 PM

Answers · 7

You needn't do that, need you? Same rules.

November 19, 2012

To use a negative tag question, the main clause verb should be positive. Use isn't when the verb in the main clause is be. Ex. It's going to rain later, isn't it? Ex. She's Chinese, isn't she? Use don't when there is no auxiliary verb in the main clause, and the verb is present simple. Ex. You have an umbrella, don't you? Ex. I need an umbrella, don't I? For third person singular, use doesn't. Ex. She has an umbrella, doesn't she? Ex. He swims well, doesn't he? I could be wrong, but needn't isn't used in tag questions. Instead, use need/do. Ex. He needn't call you later, need he? <-- By the way, this sounds very formal to me. I would rarely (never?) use needn't, much less with a tag. Ex. He needs to eat soon, doesn't he? For more examples, see http://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/tag-questions.html

November 19, 2012

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