English — Grammar: So, Neither, Either – Agreement and Disagreement — 3rd Year Middle School — Algeria

So, Neither, Either – Agreement and Disagreement

Introduction

In conversation, we often need to agree or disagree with someone’s statement. “So” is used to agree with positive statements, while “neither” is used to agree with negative statements. “Either” is also used with negative statements at the end of a sentence. These structures help maintain fluent conversation.

Agreeing with Positive Statements (So)

• Structure: So + auxiliary + subject. “I like football.” “So do I.”
• “She is happy.” “So am I.”
• “They can swim.” “So can I.”
• “He has finished.” “So have I.”

Agreeing with Negative Statements (Neither/Either)

• Neither + auxiliary + subject: “I don’t like coffee.” “Neither do I.”
• Subject + auxiliary + either: “I don’t like coffee.” “I don’t either.”
• “She can’t swim.” “Neither can I.” / “I can’t either.”
• “He hasn’t been there.” “Neither have I.”

Exercises

1. Respond using So/Neither: “I am tired.” “___”, “I don’t like spiders.” “___”. 2. Complete: “She has a cat.” “So ___ I”. 3. Practice with a partner. 4. Write 4 short dialogues showing agreement using so/neither/either.

Summary

Use “So + auxiliary + I” to agree with positive statements. Use “Neither + auxiliary + I” or “I + auxiliary + either” to agree with negative statements. The auxiliary must match the tense of the original statement.

Useful links: Prefixes and Suffixes | Argumentative Essay