Semi-Modals

[Bnplbnpl]

Hello Alan,

To my knowledge, “modal + pronoun” can form a question tag of a statement, such as “Cooking can be fun, can’t it?”. However, if a statement is with a semi-modal, do we also start the tag with the semi-modal as the following sentences? 

1) We needn't cook so many dishes, need we?
2) No one need know his whereabouts, need they?
3) My brave sister dare go out alone after dark, daren’t she?

I’m looking forward to hearing from you. Thank you in advance.

Best wishes,
bnplbnpl

[Alan]

The simple answer is yes: a verb in any given sentence is functioning either modally or non-modally, and, if the former applies (as in your examples 1 &2), then it will follow normal modal patternation in the formation of question tags.

However, your 3rd example is incorrect, since 'dare' normally does not function modally in positive assertives, and would therefore have to be amended to:

My brave sister dares to go out alone after dark, doesn't she?