If it rains, the exhibition will be cancelled, … ?

Analyze the question This is a question tag. A question tag is a short question added to the end of a statement. The rule is that the tag must agree with the main clause, not the "if" clause, and it uses the same auxiliary verb as the main clause, with the opposite polarity.

Explain the concept

• A positive statement takes a negative tag, for example: "She will come, won't she?"
• A negative statement takes a positive tag, for example: "She won't come, will she?"
• For passive sentences, the tag still uses the auxiliary of the main verb and the pronoun that replaces the subject.

Show the solution

1. The main clause is "the exhibition will be cancelled". The "if it rains" part is only a subordinate clause.
2. The auxiliary is will, and the statement is positive, so the tag must be negative: won't.
3. The subject "the exhibition" is replaced by the pronoun it.
4. So the tag is won't it?

Checking the other options:

• A. wouldn't it uses the wrong auxiliary (would, not will).
• B. isn't it does not match the "will" in the main clause.
• D. can't it uses "can", which is not in the sentence.

Full sentence: "If it rains, the exhibition will be cancelled, won't it?"

Answer: C

Exam tip: Ignore the "if" clause and find the auxiliary in the main clause. Then flip the polarity and use the matching pronoun. Be careful with "it" in the "if" clause, because it can trick you into the wrong auxiliary.