Explain the concept of tag questions in pragmatics.

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Explain the concept of tag questions in pragmatics.

Tag questions are a linguistic phenomenon in pragmatics where a declarative statement is followed by a question tag, which is a short question that seeks confirmation or agreement from the listener. The tag question is usually formed by inverting the auxiliary verb or using a form of the verb "do" with the appropriate subject pronoun. The purpose of tag questions is to engage the listener in conversation, seek agreement or disagreement, or to express uncertainty or doubt. They are commonly used to soften the impact of a statement, show politeness, or to seek confirmation of information. The intonation used when asking a tag question can also convey different meanings, such as seeking agreement, seeking information, or expressing surprise. Overall, tag questions play a significant role in communication by facilitating interaction and expressing various pragmatic functions.