English — Grammar: Either / Neither / So do I — Agreement Expressions — 2nd Year Middle School — Algerian Curriculum

Either / Neither / So do I (Agreement Expressions)

In English, we use special short forms to show agreement or disagreement with statements. These are commonly used in everyday conversations.

Showing Agreement with Affirmative Statements

So + auxiliary + subject – for agreeing with positive statements

Examples :
– “I am tired.” → “So am I.”
– “I can swim.” → “So can I.”
– “I like reading.” → “So do I.”
– “I have been to Paris.” → “So have I.”

Showing Agreement with Negative Statements

Neither + auxiliary + subject – for agreeing with negative statements

Examples :
– “I am not tired.” → “Neither am I.”
– “I can”t swim.” → “Neither can I.”
– “I don”t like coffee.” → “Neither do I.”
– “I haven”t been to Paris.” → “Neither have I.”

Using “Either”

“Either” is used in negative sentences and at the end of the sentence.

Examples :
– “I don”t like mushrooms.” → “I don”t like them either.”
– “I”m not hungry.” → “I”m not hungry either.”

Showing Disagreement

To show disagreement, use the opposite auxiliary.

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

Exercises

1. Respond to show agreement: “I am happy.” → “___” (affirmative) / “I am not hungry.” → “___” (negative).
2. Complete with so or neither: “I love pizza.” → “___ do I.” / “I don”t like spiders.” → “___ do I.”
3. Write a conversation (6 exchanges) using agreement expressions.

See also Tag Questions and First Conditional.