111. Tag questions in compound and complex sentences

COMPOUND VERB PHRASE
Even if the sentence is made of more than one verb phrase, the general tag question formation rules still apply.

Example:
Mary is singing and dancing her traditional native song, doesn't she? [Not correct]
Mary is singing and dancing her traditional native song, isn't she? [Correct]
They hit you and kicked you pretty badly, haven't they? [Not correct]
They hit you and kicked you pretty badly, didn't they? [Correct]

COMPOUND SENTENCE
When there is a compound sentence, you normally form the question tag based on the last independent clause.

Example:
John is here and he seems angry, isn't he? [Not correct]
John is here and he seems angry, doesn't he? [Correct]
They hit you hard but they have not injured you much, didn't they? [Not correct]
They hit you hard but they have not injured you much, have they? [Correct]


COMPLEX SENTENCE
When the sentence is complex and is made of an independent clause and a dependent clause, the question tag is usually formed based on the independent clause.

Example:
Since David is here, I should bring the topic of him being too direct, isn't he? [Not correct]
Since David is here, I should bring the topic of him being too direct, shouldn't I? [ Correct]
(dependent clause) – Since David is here,
(independent clause)- I should bring the topic of him being too direct.


Example:
The children won't play in that dilapidated shack unless there is supervision, isn't there? [Not correct]
The children won't play in that dilapidated shack unless there is supervision, will they? [Correct]
(dependent clause) – unless there is supervision(independent clause)
- The children won't play in that dilapidated shack
REPORTED SPEECH
In reported speech, you form the question tag based on the subject and reporting verb.

Example:
She didn't really say that you are crazy, aren't you? [Not correct]
She didn't really say that you are crazy, did she? [ Correct]
Gilmio has indeed declared he will bring down his archrival's business empire, won't he? [Not correct]
Gilmio has indeed declared he will bring down his archrival's business empire, hasn't he? [ Correct]
COMPOUND -COMPLEX SENTENCE
When there is a compound-complex sentence, you ignore the dependent clause and form the question tag from the last independent clause of the sentence.

Example:
Sturtie usually visits his grandmother before he goes to the library but today he is sick, doesn't he? [Not correct]
Sturtie usually visits his grandmother before he goes to the library but today he is sick, isn't he? [ correct]
(dependent clause)- before he goes to the library
(1st independent clause)- Sturtie usually visits his grandmother
(last independent clause)- Today, he is sick

Example:

Although Deborae looks helpless and at times she seems half-dead, she is still strong enough to perform many of her duties as a housekeeper, doesn't she? [Not correct]
Although Deborae looks helpless and at times she seems half-dead, she is still strong enough to perform many of her duties as a housekeeper, isn't she? [Correct]
(dependent clause 1)- Although Deborae looked helpless and at times she seemed half-dead,(dependent clause 2)- (and) at times she seemed half-dead,
(independent clause)- She is still able to perform many of her duties as a housekeeper.