Neither Do I — Part 2

Neither Do I

Part 2: short answers — how to agree with a negative sentence in one quick reply.

Notice it

Planning a party together

A:I don't like loud music.
B:Neither do I. Let's choose something quiet.
A:I'm not good at cooking.
B:Neither am I. Let's order food.
A:My sister can't come on Saturday.
B:Neither can my brother. Maybe Sunday is better.
A:I haven't bought a cake yet.
B:Neither have I! We need to hurry.
A:We didn't invite Anna.
B:Neither did we. Let's call her now.
A:Honestly, I don't want a big party.
B:Me neither. A small party is perfect.

Work it out

Questions about the conversation

1.A says "I don't like loud music." B says "Neither do I." Which word from A's sentence comes back in B's answer?

2.Now look at "I'm not good at cooking" and "Neither am I." What changed? Why is it "am" and not "do"?

3.Compare "I haven't bought a cake" and "Neither have I." Is there a "not" in B's answer?

Examples and rules

How short answers with neither work

Neither + helping verb + person Neither do I · Neither is he · Neither can we

Use the same helping verb as the first sentence

Look at the verb in the sentence you hear. Keep the same helping verb, but take away the "not."

They say…	You answer…	Why
I don't like coffee.	Neither do I.	don't → do
She doesn't eat meat.	Neither does he.	doesn't → does
We didn't go out.	Neither did they.	didn't → did
I'm not tired.	Neither am I.	am not → am
He isn't at home.	Neither is she.	isn't → is
They aren't ready.	Neither are we.	aren't → are
I can't swim.	Neither can I.	can't → can
I haven't seen it.	Neither have I.	haven't → have
He hasn't called.	Neither has she.	hasn't → has
I won't be late.	Neither will I.	won't → will

Don't use "not" in the answer. Say Neither do I, not Neither don't I. The word "neither" already makes the sentence negative.

Short and casual: "Me neither."

In everyday speech, you can just say Me neither. It works with every verb, so you don't need to choose a helping verb.

"I can't sleep late." — "Me neither."

If it isn't true for you

Say what is true. Use the same helping verb, and add "actually."

"I don't like loud music." — "I do, actually. I love it!"

"I'm not hungry." — "I am, actually."

Neither is only for negative sentences. Before you answer, check: is the first sentence negative?

Controlled practice

Complete the short answer

Write the helping verb: do, does, did, am, is, can, has, or will.

Part 1 — Do, does, did

Part 2 — Am, is, can, has, will

Controlled practice

Reply quickly

Read the sentence and answer out loud first. Then tap to see a model answer. If it isn't true for you, say what is true.

Speaking practice

Plan your birthday party

It's your birthday, and you're planning the party yourself. There are 25 choices to make, in 5 chapters. For each choice:

Say your decision out loud. Use the phrase in the yellow box, or your own words with either / or and neither / nor.
You can pick one option, say "either is fine," say "neither," or add your own idea.
At each checkpoint, a friend says something negative. Answer with a short reply.

Say it like this:

Your party plan

Final task: Tell me about your party in one minute. Use either / or at least twice and neither / nor at least twice.