Guide to English grammar

Echo questions and echo tags • 35
We can use an echo question or echo tag to react to a statement.
I've written the letter. -Oh, have you?

22 The use of questions

BUYING A TRAIN TICKET
Travel agent: Can I help you?
Customer: Do you sell rail tickets?
Travel agent: Yes, certainly.
Customer: I need a return ticket from Bristol to Paddington.
Travel agent: You're travelling when?
Customer: Tomorrow.
Travel agent: Tomorrow. That's Friday, isn't it? And when are you coming back?
Customer: Oh, I'm coming back the same day.
Travel agent: Are you leaving before ten o'clock?
Customer: It's cheaper after ten, is it?
Travel agent: Yes, it's cheaper if you leave after ten and return after six o'clock.
Customer: What time is the next train after ten?
Travel agent: Ten eleven.
Customer: Oh, fine. Could you tell me how much the cheap ticket is?
Travel agent: Twenty-one pounds.
Customer: Can I have one then, please?

1 The most basic use of a question is to ask for information.

What time is the next train? -Ten eleven.

2 But we can use questions in other ways, such as getting people to do things. This happens especially with modal verbs, e.g. can, shall

Requesting Making suggestions Offering Asking permission

Can I have one then, please? Shall we take the early train? Can I help you? May I take one of these timetables?

3 There are also “rhetorical questions”, which do not need an answer.

What do you think will happen? -Who knows?
You're always criticizing me, but have I ever criticized you?
Fancy meeting you here. It's a small world, isn't it?

NOTE
A question can be answered by the person who asks it.

What is the secret of United's success? Manager Terry Clark believes that it is the players' willingness to work for each other and for the team.

A practical guide to English grammar 25