So, Too, Neither and Either

Avoiding repetition

1. So, neither and too

So, neither and too are used to show coincidence with what another person has stated.

On this occasion, we will only study the structures used when we are the ones who agree with what the other speaker has said.

2. How are so, neither and too used?

• ME TOO / ME NEITHER
  The particle too is used when the statement of reference is an affirmative sentence, while neither is used when it is a negative sentence.
  

  

  - Charlie: I love chocolate!

  

  - Greg: Me too.

  

  - Donald: I'm not hungry.

  

  - Sally: Me neither.
• SO (AM) I / NEITHER (AM) I
  The particle so is used when the statement of reference is an affirmative sentence, while neither is used when it is a negative sentence.
  

  

  - Sara: I have got a new jacket.

  

  - Mary: So have I.

  

  - John: I don't eat meat.

  

  - Emma: Neither do I.

3. Structure of so (am) I and neither (am) I

When using So (am) I or Neither (am) I, we must take into account the verb tense in which the reference statement is. 

• Affirmative sentences

  In affirmative sentences, the structure is the following:
  So + auxiliary/modal verb in affirmative +subject.

  	Sentence	Answer
  TO BE (present)	I am a bit cold.	So am I.
  TO BE (past)	I was busy yesterday.	So was I.
  HAVE GOT (present)	I have got a dog.	So have I.
  PRESENT SIMPLE	I live in a big house.	So do1 I.
  PRESENT CONTINUOUS	I am having lunch.	So am I.
  GOING TO	I'm going to Susan's party.	So am I.
  CAN	I can play the violin.	So can I.

  ¹The present simple does not use an auxiliary in affirmative sentences, but we know that it's do.

  The auxiliary verb must agree with the verb tense used in the reference sentence.
• Negative sentences

  In negative sentences, the structure is the following:
  Neither + auxiliary/modal verb in affirmative +subject.

  Note that although the answer will be negative, the auxiliary or modal verb will be in the affirmative form.

  	Sentence	Answer
  TO BE (present)	I am not interested in football.	Neither am I.
  TO BE (past)	I wasn't at home this morning.	Neither was I.
  HAVE GOT (present)	I haven't got a car.	Neither have I.
  PRESENT SIMPLE	I don't smoke.	Neither do I.
  PRESENT CONTINUOUS	I am not watching TV.	Neither am I.
  GOING TO	I'm not going to buy this CD.	Neither am I.
  CAN	I can't ride a horse.	Neither can I.

Remember!