Statement Tags: The Art of Emphatic Affirmation
"In the tapestry of language, statement tags are the bold threads that underscore meaning, making our declarations resonate with conviction."
Statement tags, also known as copy tags, are a unique type of tag that follow declarative clauses, mirroring their polarity and subject-verb word order. They serve primarily to make an emphatic statement, often in contexts where evaluation or strong feeling is involved.
The Principle of Same Polarity
Unlike question tags which often switch polarity, statement tags maintain the same polarity as their main clause, reinforcing the statement.
- They were rather unimpressive items, they were.
- I'm completely exasperated with it, I am.
Emphasis: The repetition in statement tags adds a strong sense of emphasis or a confident assertion to the preceding statement.
Same Polarity with Reduced Clauses
This principle of same polarity also extends to reduced (ellipted) clauses, creating succinct and impactful exchanges.
- A: I don't think we'll observe much wildlife today.
- B: Not without proper optics we won't.
- A: Do you know the meaning of a 'secret'?
- B: No.
- A: A secret is something only one individual is aware of.
- B: Not where I'm employed it isn't.
Subjects 'It' and 'That' in Tags
When the main clause features 'it', the tag can use either 'it' or 'that'. However, main clauses with 'that' typically maintain 'that' as the subject of the tag.
- It's roughly this size, it is.
- Indeed, it was truly magnificent, that was.
- That was the second occasion, that was.
Tip: The choice between 'it' and 'that' can sometimes subtly reflect the speaker's emphasis or the degree of separation from the subject.
"Statement tags are more than mere repetitions; they are grammatical tools that allow us to underscore our convictions and infuse our speech with clarity and impact."
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