English — Grammar: So do I / Neither do I (Agreement and Disagreement) — 2nd Year Middle School — Algerian Curriculum

So do I / Neither do I (Agreement and Disagreement)

In English, we use special short forms to show agreement or disagreement with what someone says. This makes conversations natural and fluent.

Showing Agreement with an Affirmative Statement

Structure : So + auxiliary verb + subject

Examples :
– Amine: “I love pizza.” → You: “So do I!”
– Sara: “I am tired.” → You: “So am I!”
– Teacher: “We have studied hard.” → Students: “So have we!”

Showing Agreement with a Negative Statement

Structure : Neither + auxiliary verb + subject (OR Nor + auxiliary verb + subject)

Examples :
– Amine: “I don”t like spiders.” → You: “Neither do I!”
– Sara: “I can”t swim.” → You: “Neither can I!”
– Teacher: “I haven”t finished.” → Students: “Neither have we!”

Showing Disagreement

Structure : Oh, I + auxiliary verb (opposite polarity)

Examples :
– Amine: “I like cats.” → You: “Oh, I don”t.”
– Sara: “I don”t like football.” → You: “Oh, I do.”

Quick Reference Table

Exercises

1. Respond to show agreement: “I am hungry.” → “___”
2. Respond to show agreement: “I don”t like getting up early.” → “___”
3. Respond to show disagreement: “I love winter.” → “___”
4. Write a short dialogue (4 exchanges) using “So…” and “Neither…”.

See also Tag Questions and Modal Verbs.