英语讲义【1】疑问附加语

疑问附加语 isn't it

　　"John is smart, isn't it?"

　　这个疑问句里的附加语（question tag）对吗？如果是不对的话，错在哪里？

　　在公共场所或办公室里，只要稍为留心，不难听到“ isn't it ? ”这个附加语。这种疑问句是英文几种疑问句中的一种，主要的用途在强制答话人提供问话人心目中的答案。

　　这个疑问句有一定的格式，即：

　　肯定叙述句（affirmative statement）＋否定附加语（见例 ①及②）

　　否定叙述句（negative statement）＋肯定附加语（见例③及 ④）

　　①Mary is happy, isn't she?
　　②They will come, won't they?
　　③Mary isn't sad, is she?
　　④They won't come, will they?

　　此外，附加语中的代名词（pronoun）和助动词（auxiliary verb）必须和叙述句中的相符。

　　这类疑问句看似简单，其实容易出差错。其中一个错误便是附加语的时态（tense）不对，如：

　　⑤You could hardly expect him to help you, can you?
　　⑥The minister will talk about regional cooperation, wouldn't he ?

　　另外一种错误是助动词的错用，如：

　　⑦The clerks are working hard, don't they?
　　⑧Betty won't be a sportswoman, can she?

　　“isn't it”的滥用

　　最常见的错误来自“isn't it”的滥用，如：

　　⑨Jason likes this book very much , isn't it?
　　⑩She can sing well, isn't it?

　　11.Our team won, isn't it?

　　12.Young Singaporeans have become achievement - oriented , isn't it?

　　13.All our teachers are dedicated, isn't it?

　　14.They will go shopping on Sunday, isn't it?

　　这6个错误的附加语改正如下：

　　⑨Jason likes this book very much, doesn't he?
　　⑩She can sing well, can't she?

　　11.Our team won, didn't it?

　　12.Young Singaporeans have become achievement - oriented, haven't they?

　　13.All our teachers are dedicated, aren't they?

　　14.They will go shopping on Sunday, won't they?

　　" lsn't it ? "在下列3个句子中才是正确的用法：

　　15.It is fine today, isn't it?

　　16.That story book is interesting, isn't it?

　　17.It is worthwhile learning a second language well, isn't it?

　　现在再看看“John is smart , isn't it ?”错在哪里。很明显的，错在附加语里的代名词：应该是“he ”，不是“it”，全句如下：

　　John is smart, isn't he?