Question

Choose the correct question tag to complete the sentence:
He hardly cares, ?

• A. does he
• B. doesn't he
• C. will he
• D. won't he

Hint:

Remember that "hardly" makes the sentence negative, so the tag must be positive.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Question tags depend on two things: whether the main clause is positive or negative, and which tense and auxiliary verb it uses. Check each option against both.

1. Option A (does he): "hardly" gives the main clause a negative sense, so it needs a positive tag. "Does he" is positive and matches the present tense of "cares".
2. Option B (doesn't he): this is a negative tag, but a clause that is already negative in meaning needs a positive tag, not another negative one.
3. Option C (will he): this uses future tense, but "cares" is in the simple present, so the tense does not match.
4. Option D (won't he): this combines the wrong tense with a negative tag, missing on both counts.

Since only "does he" satisfies the positive-tag rule and the present tense match, it is the correct tag.

Let's summarize:

• Words like "hardly" make a sentence negative even without "not".
• A negative main clause always pairs with a positive question tag, matched to the same tense.

Checking polarity first and tense second gives the right tag every time.