Drilling Practice

Using 'So' and 'Neither' to Agree

In English, we use 'So' and 'Neither' to show that we agree with what someone has said, or that we are in the same situation.

Agreeing with Positive Statements: So + Auxiliary + Subject

When you want to agree with a positive statement, you use 'So' followed by an auxiliary verb (like 'do', 'be', 'have', 'can') and then the subject (e.g., 'I'). The auxiliary verb must match the tense of the original statement.

• A: "I like coffee." (Present Simple) -> B: "So do I."
• A: "I am hungry." (Present Simple with 'be') -> B: "So am I."
• A: "I went to the cinema yesterday." (Past Simple) -> B: "So did I."
• A: "I have finished my homework." (Present Perfect) -> B: "So have I."
• A: "I can swim fast." (Modal Verb) -> B: "So can I."

Agreeing with Negative Statements: Neither + Auxiliary + Subject

When you want to agree with a negative statement, you use 'Neither' (or 'Nor'). The structure is the same: 'Neither' followed by the auxiliary verb and the subject. Remember to use the positive form of the auxiliary verb, as 'Neither' already includes the negative meaning.

• A: "I don't like coffee." -> B: "Neither do I."
• A: "I'm not hungry." -> B: "Neither am I."
• A: "I didn't go to the cinema." -> B: "Neither did I."
• A: "I haven't finished my homework." -> B: "Neither have I."
• A: "I can't swim fast." -> B: "Neither can I."