He isn't coming here, … ?

Analyze the question This is a question tag. The sentence "He isn't coming here" is negative, and we need the correct tag to complete it.

The concept The rule for question tags:

• A positive statement takes a negative tag (e.g., "She is coming, isn't she?").
• A negative statement takes a positive tag (e.g., "She isn't coming, is she?").
• The tag uses the same auxiliary (helping) verb as the statement, and the pronoun must match the subject.

Step-by-step solution

1. The statement is "He isn't coming here". It is negative, because of "isn't".
2. So the tag must be positive.
3. The auxiliary verb in the statement is is (from "isn't" = "is not"), so the tag uses is.
4. The subject is "he", so the pronoun is he.
5. The tag is therefore "is he?"

Checking the other options:

• B. "isn't he" is a negative tag, so it can't follow a negative statement.
• C. "doesn't he" is negative and uses the wrong auxiliary.
• D. "does he" is positive but uses the wrong auxiliary (does instead of is).

Complete sentence: He isn't coming here, is he?

Answer: A

Exam tip: Remember "opposite attitudes, same verb." Flip positive to negative or negative to positive, but keep the same auxiliary verb. Also note that the verb "coming" is in the continuous tense, so the helping verb is "is", not "does."