Regalia, insignia and question tags

Dear Dr English,

I would like to know the difference between Òroyal regaliaÓ and Òroyal insigniaÓ. And, I would appreciate if you could explain how to use question tags. Thank you.

Noree Salamae

'Regalia' is a formal word, it refers to all the traditional clothes and items which a person such as a king or a judge wears or carries on official occasions.

An ÒinsigniaÓ is an official badge or sign that shows that a person or object belongs to a particular group or organisation or has a particular rank. Insignia is both the singular and plural form of the word.

The word ÒroyalÓ indicates that the noun that follows, in this case regalia and insignia, belongs or connects to a king or queen or a member of their family.

The museum displayed the royal regalia of the fifth Sultan of the State.
We saw many jeeps with military insignia parked along the roadside.

And for question tags; it is a short phrase added to the end of a statement to turn it into a yes/no question. We usually use question tags when we expect the other person to agree with the statement. For example, if you say to a friend who walks into the room fanning him/herself, ÒIt is very hot, isnÕt it?Ó You expect that your friend will say ÒYes.Ó

Question tags are formed by using the same auxiliary verb or form of ÒbeÓ as in the statement, followed by a personal pronoun. This pronoun refers to the subject of the statement.
This skirt is a bit small, isnÕt it?

If the statement does not contain an auxiliary verb or ÒbeÓ, use verb Òto doÓ in the question tag.
Boontueng ran very fast, didnÕt he?

Usually a negative tag is added to a positive statement, you can also add positive tag to a positive statement. This is done to show interest, surprise, anger or to check if you have guessed something correctly.

You are sick, are you?

You have just came back from Germany, have you?

Sometimes a broad negative such as ÒhardlyÓ, ÒseldomÓ, ÒscarcelyÓ etc. appears in the statement, in this case, use positive tag as in the negative statement.
Sam hardly goes to school, does he?

There are occasions when you make a statement about yourself and you want to check if the person you are talking to has the same opinion or feeling, you can put a tag with ÒyouÓ after your statement.
I think this dress fit me well, don't you?
I like this beach, donÕt you?

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