Choose the correct question tag for the following sentencе:
You are a real piece of work,_______ ?
Correct Answer :
are you?
Solution :
The correct option is are you?.
To understand why this is the correct question tag, we can look at the sentence structure and its tone:
1. The Main Clause: The sentence begins with the positive clause, "You are a real piece of work". The idiom "a real piece of work" is typically used to describe someone who is difficult, unpleasant, or highly unusual.
2. Constant-Polarity Question Tags: Standard grammar rules often dictate that a positive statement takes a negative tag (e.g., "You are, aren't you?"). However, English also utilizes constant-polarity question tags, where a positive statement is paired with a positive tag (positive + positive).
3. Tone and Intent: A positive-positive tag structure is used to convey sarcasm, confrontation, surprise, or annoyance. Because "a real piece of work" is a derogatory or challenging remark, using the positive tag "are you?" intensifies the sarcastic and confrontational tone of the utterance.
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