Question Tags with ‘There” Ever wondered how to turn those sentences with “there” into polite, curious, or even sassy questions?
In this lesson, you will learn about the definition of question tags and the key rules for using them with ‘there.’
What Are Question Tags?
A question tag is a short question added at the end of a sentence to confirm or clarify something. Think of it as a way of asking, “Right?” or “Isn’t it?” at the end of your sentence.
When it comes to sentences starting with THERE (like “There is” or “There seems”), the question tag follows special rules. Let’s explore how it works!
7 Rules for Using Question Tags with “There”
1️⃣ Sentences with THERE + TO BE
When “there” is paired with the verb to be (existential there), we repeat there in the question tag.
- Example:
- There were too many people at the party, weren’t there?
- There is no bread left, is there?
- There has been a lot of rain this month, hasn’t there?
- There was an old house on the hill, wasn’t there?
- There isn’t a good restaurant nearby, is there?
- There has been too much noise lately, hasn’t there?
- There will be enough chairs for everyone, won’t there?
- There isn’t going to be a problem with this, is there?
- There was nothing strange about the situation, was there?
🗣️ Practice Tip: Read these examples aloud and notice the tone rising at the end of the tag!
2️⃣ Sentences with USED TO + THERE
For sentences with “used to,” the question tag uses the verb did.
- Example:
- There used to be a sweet shop in this street, didn’t there?
- There didn’t use to be a tree in the garden, did there?
- There used to be a cinema down this road, didn’t there?
- There didn’t use to be so many cars here, did there?
- There used to be fewer houses in this area, didn’t there?
🧩 Memory Trick: Think of “used to” as past action, so you’re tagging with did.
3️⃣ Sentences with SEEM/APPEAR + THERE
These verbs require do in the question tag!
- Example:
- There appears to be some mistake, doesn’t there?
- There seem to be a lot of people in there, don’t there?
- There doesn’t seem to be any hot water, does there?
- There seems to be a misunderstanding, doesn’t there?
- There seems to be some tension in the room, doesn’t there?
- There don’t seem to be many people at the event, do there?
- There doesn’t seem to be any milk left, does there?
- There appear to be errors in the document, don’t there?
- There doesn’t appear to be a solution to this issue, does there?
🤓 Quick Check: Does the sentence feel present or past? Adjust your tag accordingly!
4️⃣ Sentences with HAPPEN + THERE
For sentences with “happen,” we also use do in the tag.
- Example:
- There happen to be people who agree with me, don’t there?
- There happens to be a pretty barmaid there, doesn’t there?
- There happens to be a concert tonight, doesn’t there?
- There don’t happen to be any seats available, do there?
- There happened to be a sale on at the store, didn’t there?
- There doesn’t happen to be a spare key, does there?
🌟 Cool Fact: “Happen to” can make a sentence sound more polite or casual. Try using it in real-life chats!
5️⃣ Sentences with HAVE TO + THERE
When “have to” is involved, do is your tag verb.
- Example:
- There doesn’t have to be a difference, does there?
- There just has to be a better way, doesn’t there?
- There doesn’t have to be a problem, does there?
- There has to be an explanation for this, doesn’t there?
- There doesn’t have to be any confusion, does there?
- There just has to be another option, doesn’t there?
✍️ Pro Tip: Always check for “have to” in the sentence—it’s a clue for your tag!
6️⃣ Sentences with MUST + THERE
“Must” stays unique—use mustn’t for its tag!
- Example:
- There must be something wrong with my watch, mustn’t there?
- There must be a mistake in the report, mustn’t there?
- There must be a way to fix this, mustn’t there?
- There mustn’t be any delays this time, must there?
🤩 Fun to Try: Say it with dramatic emphasis, like Sherlock Holmes uncovering a clue! 🕵️♀️
7️⃣ Sentences with TURN OUT / NEED TO + THERE
For phrases like “turn out” or “need to,” stick with do.
- Example:
- There turns out to be a simple solution, doesn’t there?
- There need to be more women in video games, don’t there?
- There turns out to be an easier way, doesn’t there?
- There turned out to be a surprise at the party, didn’t there?
- There doesn’t turn out to be a clear answer, does there?
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