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UPSC MainsENGLISH-COMPULSORY202410 Marks
Q19.

Spanish is more widely used outside of Europe. (Add a question tag)

How to Approach

This question tests basic English grammar, specifically the correct usage of question tags. The approach involves understanding the statement's polarity (positive/negative) and selecting the appropriate auxiliary verb and pronoun to form the tag. The answer should simply add the correct question tag to the given statement. No elaborate explanation is required, but demonstrating understanding of the rule is key.

Model Answer

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Introduction

Question tags are short questions at the end of statements, used to confirm information or invite agreement. They are a common feature of spoken English and are increasingly used in formal writing as well. The formation of a question tag depends on the verb tense and the statement's polarity. A positive statement requires a negative tag, and vice versa. The given statement, "Spanish is more widely used outside of Europe," is a positive statement, requiring a negative question tag.

Spanish is more widely used outside of Europe, isn't it?

Explanation of the Question Tag Formation

  • The statement uses the present simple tense of the verb "to be" ("is").
  • The statement is affirmative (positive).
  • Therefore, the question tag must be negative and use the auxiliary verb "to be" in its contracted negative form ("isn't").
  • The pronoun must correspond to the subject of the statement ("Spanish" – treated as 'it').

Alternative Correct Forms (Less Common)

While "isn't it?" is the most common and natural-sounding tag, other forms are grammatically correct, though less frequently used:

  • Spanish is more widely used outside of Europe, aren't they? (Treating Spanish as a collection of speakers)

However, "isn't it?" is the preferred and most accurate response for this question.

Importance of Correct Tag Usage

Correct question tag usage demonstrates a strong grasp of English grammar and contributes to clear and effective communication. Misusing question tags can lead to confusion or sound unnatural.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the correct question tag to add to the statement "Spanish is more widely used outside of Europe" is "isn't it?". This demonstrates an understanding of the rules governing question tag formation, specifically the need for a negative tag following a positive statement and the correct pronoun-verb agreement. Mastering such grammatical nuances is crucial for effective communication and scoring well in the English language paper.

Answer Length

This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.

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Additional Resources

Key Definitions

Polarity (in grammar)
Refers to whether a clause or sentence is positive or negative. This determines the form of the question tag used.

Key Statistics

As of 2023, Spanish is the second-most spoken native language in the world, with approximately 483 million native speakers.

Source: Statista (Knowledge Cutoff: 2023)

Spanish is an official language in 20 countries, spanning across Europe, Latin America, and Africa.

Source: Instituto Cervantes (Knowledge Cutoff: 2023)

Examples

Use in Everyday Conversation

“It’s a beautiful day, isn’t it?” This is a common example of a question tag used to seek confirmation or agreement from a listener.

Frequently Asked Questions

▶What if the statement already contains a negative word?

If the statement contains a negative word (e.g., "nobody," "never," "hardly"), the question tag should be positive. For example: "Nobody called, did they?"

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