When someone tells you something and it's true for you too, you don't need to repeat the whole sentence. Short replies like me too, so do I and me neither let you agree quickly. You can disagree just as quickly with I do or I don't.
The pattern
So do I.
Neither can I.
Really? I don't.
01Me too and so do I
When you agree with a positive sentence, say Me too or So + helper verb + I. Me too is the most common reply in relaxed American conversation. So do I sounds a little more complete, and it works well at work too.
- A: I'm starving. B: Me too.
- A: I love this song. B: So do I!
- A: I have a meeting at ten. B: So do I.
02Me neither and neither do I
When you agree with a negative sentence, say Me neither or Neither + helper verb + I. Americans also say I don't either, I can't either and so on. Don't answer a negative sentence with so do I.
You'll sometimes hear me either in casual American speech, but me neither is the safe choice.
- A: I don't eat meat. B: Me neither.
- A: I can't find parking. B: Neither can I.
- A: I didn't get the email. B: I didn't either.
03Match the helper verb
After so and neither, use the same helper verb as the first sentence: am, is, are, was, were, can, will, have. If there is no helper verb, use do, does or did, just like in a question. The subject doesn't have to be I: so does my sister, neither did we.
| They say | You agree |
|---|---|
| I'm tired. | So am I. |
| I work from home. | So do I. |
| I moved last year. | So did I. |
| I can drive. | So can I. |
| I've been to Miami. | So have I. |
| I won't be there. | Neither will I. |
| I wasn't ready. | Neither was I. |
04Disagreeing in a friendly way
To disagree, use I + helper verb, but flip it: a positive sentence gets a negative reply, and a negative sentence gets a positive reply. Starting with Oh, really? or Actually, keeps it friendly.
- A: I love winter. B: Oh, really? I don't.
- A: I'm not going to the party. B: Actually, I am.
- A: I can't swim. B: I can. I can teach you!
05Common mistakes
A: I'm hungry. B: So do I.
A: I'm hungry. B: So am I.
The first sentence uses am, so the reply uses am too.
A: I didn't like the movie. B: So did I.
A: I didn't like the movie. B: Neither did I.
To agree with a negative sentence, use neither or me neither.
A: I went to the game. B: So I did.
A: I went to the game. B: So did I.
After so, the helper verb comes before the subject.
A: I can't come. B: Neither I can.
A: I can't come. B: Neither can I.
After neither, put the helper verb first, then the subject.