Clarifying Tag Questions: ‘Everybody was present there weren’t they’
Introduction
In this article, we will delve into the intricacies of tag questions, specifically addressing the phrase 'Everybody was present there weren’t they.' We will discuss the grammatical correctness of this statement, provide examples, and explore the nuances of using tag questions in formal and informal contexts.Understanding Tag Questions
A tag question is a grammatical construction used in English to seek agreement or confirmation. For instance, in the sentence 'Everybody was present, weren’t they?', the tag question 'weren’t they' is used to seek confirmation of the statement.Is the Tag Question Correct?
The original statement 'Everybody was present there weren’t they?' is grammatically correct, except for the inclusion of the word 'there.' The emphasis on the word 'there' in this context is redundant. To correct this, simply remove 'there' and enhance the clarity:Explanation: In formal written English, the correct phrase would be 'All their friends were at the party.' However, the question as written is acceptable in most contexts. For instance, to separate the statement from the tag question:
Corrected Sentence: All their friends were at the party. Was this statement correct?
Correcting the Statement
To make the statement clearer and correct, the sentence should be rephrased:Corrected Statement: Everybody was present. Were they?
The use of 'everybody' is a plural term, and thus the tag question should also be plural. The correct form would be 'were they' to maintain grammatical agreement.
Exceptions and Nuances
While the tag question 'Everybody was present there weren’t they?' is grammatically correct, it can sometimes sound awkward due to the redundant use of 'there.' Here is an example of a similar statement with better syntax:Example:
Original: All of their friends were at the party, weren't they? Corrected: All their friends were at the party. Was this statement correct?Another interesting exception in tag questions is where the subject refers to a collective plural but the grammatical subject is singular. For instance:
Example: She was late, wasn't she? (The grammatical subject 'she' is singular, but 'a group' is implied by context)
In such cases, the tag question will match the grammatical form of the singular subject, rather than the referred-to plural group:
Example: Everybody was present, weren't they? (Where 'everybody' is plural but the grammatical subject 'everybody' is singular.)
This is an important distinction to understand when constructing tag questions in English.
Common Misconceptions and Clarification
Here are some common misconceptions and clarifications about the use of tag questions:Who is Everybody?
Question: 'Who is everybody in the context of the statement?' This can vary depending on the context. 'Everybody' refers to all people included, irrespective of numbers.
Where were they present at?
Question: 'Where and when did these people gather?' This can be clarified in different ways depending on the context, for example:
e.g. The event was at the gym on May 15th. Were everyone's friends at the event? e.g. The meeting was at 3 PM. Were everybody's colleagues there?When and Why?
Question: 'When did the event occur, and why was it important?' This can provide context for understanding the significance of the event:
e.g. The reunion was held in May. Was it a fact that all the alumni were there? e.g. The funeral was on the 5th of November. Were everybody's family members there?What for?
Question: 'What is the purpose of the gathering or event?' This can help in setting the purpose and understanding the overall context:
e.g. The party was held to celebrate the birthday. Was everybody invited? e.g. The conference was held to discuss the new policy. Were all the stakeholders present?These questions provide a useful framework for understanding and discussing the context and implications of the original statement.