自2004年执教英汉、汉英笔译以来，发现学生最大问题是不熟悉英语习语的用法，因此写出种种中式英语也就不奇怪了。从今天起，将陆续地推出英语习语集锦，以飨各位学员及翻译爱好者。

疑问附加语 isn't it 
      　　

        “John is smart, isn't it?” 
      　　这个疑问句里的附加语（question tag）对吗？如果是不对的话，错在哪里？
      　　在公共场所或办公室里，只要稍为留心，不难听到“ isn't it ?
      ”这个附加语。这种疑问句是英文几种疑问句中的一种，主要的用途在强制答话人提供问话人心目中的答案。
      　　这个疑问句有一定的格式，即：
      　　肯定叙述句（affirmative statement）＋否定附加语（见例 ①及②）
      　　否定叙述句（negative statement）＋肯定附加语（见例③及 ④）
      　　①Mary is happy, isn't she?
      　　②They will come, won't they?
      　　③Mary isn't sad, is she?
      　　④They won't come, will they?
      　　此外，附加语中的代名词（pronoun）和助动词（auxiliary verb）必须和叙述句中的相符。
      　　这类疑问句看似简单，其实容易出差错。其中一个错误便是附加语的时态（tense）不对，如：
      　　⑤You could hardly expect him to help you, can you?
      　　⑥The minister will talk about regional cooperation, wouldn't he ?
      　　另外一种错误是助动词的错用，如：
      　　⑦The clerks are working hard, don't they?
      　　⑧Betty won't be a sportswoman, can she?
      “isn't it”的滥用
      　　最常见的错误来自“isn't it”的滥用，如：
      　　⑨Jason likes this book very much , isn't it?
      　　⑩She can sing well, isn't it?
      　　11.Our team won, isn't it?
      　　12.Young Singaporeans have become achievement - oriented , isn't it?
      　　13.All our teachers are dedicated, isn't it?
      　　14.They will go shopping on Sunday, isn't it?
      　　这6个错误的附加语改正如下：
      　　⑨Jason likes this book very much, doesn't he?
      　　⑩She can sing well, can't she?
      　　11.Our team won, didn't it?
      　　12.Young Singaporeans have become achievement - oriented, haven't they?
      　　13.All our teachers are dedicated, aren't they?
      　　14.They will go shopping on Sunday, won't they?
      　　" lsn't it ? "在下列3个句子中才是正确的用法：
      　　15.It is fine today, isn't it?
      　　16.That story book is interesting, isn't it?
      　　17.It is worthwhile learning a second language well, isn't it?
      　　现在再看看“John is smart , isn't it ?”错在哪里。很明显的，错在附加语里的代名词：应该  是“he”，不是“it”，全句如下：
      　　John is smart, isn't he?