Use of an affirmative question tag [duplicate]

grammar

Solution 1:

Yes, it is grammatical. However, it signals that the content of the main clause and intent of the communication are, in a sense, opposites.

  • Ali has few friends, doesn't he? (Content/Intent: Ali doesn't have many friends.)

  • Ali has few friends, does he? (Content: Ali doesn't have many friends. Intent: the speaker believes that Ali has more friends than the other person expected.)

  • Ali has a few friends, does he? (Content: Ali has some friends. Intent: Ali has no friends.)

Question 'tags' are usually expressed with a negation of the main verb. The speaker expects an affirmation of the main clause. However, when the main clause and the tag are both unnegated, the question is rhetorical and communicates disbelief or incredulity about the main clause.

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