väitekysymykset

Väitekysymykset, known in English as tag questions, are a type of interrogative utterance that seeks confirmation or agreement from the listener. They are formed by adding a short question to the end of a statement. The structure typically involves an auxiliary verb, which is often the same as the one used in the main statement, followed by a pronoun that refers to the subject of the statement.

The polarity of the tag question is usually opposite to that of the main statement. For instance, if the statement is positive, the tag will be negative, and vice versa. Examples include "It's a beautiful day, isn't it?" or "You haven't seen my keys, have you?". This contrast in polarity serves to invite a response that aligns with the speaker's assertion.

The function of a väitekysymys can vary. It can be a genuine question seeking information, but more often it functions as a rhetorical device to encourage engagement, confirm understanding, or express an opinion with a degree of certainty while still allowing for the possibility of correction. In some contexts, it can also be used to soften a statement or to build rapport between speakers. The intonation used when delivering a väitekysymys can also signal whether the speaker is genuinely seeking information or simply seeking agreement.