so, neither

A is or does the same as B

To say that A is or does the same as B, we can use so + auxiliary verb + subject for
affirmative sentences and neither + auxiliary verb + subject for negative sentences.

● A: “I am from London.” B: “So am I.” (=I am from London too.)

● A: “I’m not tired.” B: “Neither am I.” (=I am not tired either.)

What auxiliary verb do we need?

After so/neither we use the same auxiliary or modal verb as in the first sentence: be,
do, have, can, will, must, etc.

● A: “Tomas is not going to the party.” B: “Neither is Sally.”

● A: “I’ll be here at 7.” B: “So will I.”
● A: “Lisa can play the guitar.” B: “So can Tim.”

When there isn’t an auxiliary or modal verb in the first sentence, we use do/does for
present and did for past.

● A: “I want to leave.” B: “So do I.”

● A: “George loves chocolate.” B: “So does Bruno.”
● A: “I went to bed very late.” B: “So did I.”

nor = neither

We can use nor instead of neither.

● A: “I wasn’t ready.” B: “Nor/Neither was I.”

neither is negative
Neither/nor is a negative word, like not. For this reason, the auxiliary verb after
neither should be affirmative.
 ● A: “I didn’t see the film yesterday.” B: “Neither did I.” (NOT Neither didn’t I)
● A: “Ray couldn’t answer the question.” B: “Neither could Jimmy.” (NOT Neither
couldn’t Jimmy.)

too, either
Another way of saying that A is or does the same as B, is the use of too or either at
the end of the sentence. We use too for affirmative sentences and either for negative
sentences.

● A: “I want to leave.” B: “I want to leave too.”

● A: “I didn’t go.” B: “I didn’t go either.”

so-too, neither-either – tables

Exercise 2
Choose the correct forms with so, neither, too, either to complete the sentences below.

A: 'I can't go to the presentation.' B: '_____ .'

a.Neither can't I
b.Neither can I
c.So can I

A: 'I'm not going out tonight.' B: '_____.' Choose TWO correct answers

a.Neither I am
b.Neither am I
c.I am either
d.I'm not going out either
 3

A: 'I haven't got time.' B: 'Neither _____.'

a.have I
b.I have
c.do I

A: ‘I went for a run this morning.’ B: ‘_____ .’ Choose TWO correct answers

a.So did I
b.So am I
c.So was I
d.I went for a run too

A: 'I never go to the cinema.' B: '______.'

a.Neither do I
b.Neither am I
c.So am I

Exercise 2
Choose the correct forms with so, neither, too, either to complete the sentences below.
Page 2 of 2

A: 'Sophia isn't coming with us.' B: 'And _____.'

a.so isn't Emily

b.neither is Emily
c.either isn't Emily
 7

A: 'I want some pizza.' B: '_____.'

a.So do I
b.Neither do I
c.So I do

A: 'I wasn't scared.' B: '_____.' Choose TWO correct answers

a.Neither was I
b.Neither wasn't I
c.I was scared either
d.I wasn't scared either

A: 'I thought it was difficult.' B: '_____.'

a.Neither did I
b.So I did
c.So did I

10

A: 'I didn't enjoy the concert.' B: '_____.' Choose TWO correct answers

a.So didn't I
b.Neither didn't I
c.Neither did I
d.I didn't enjoy it either.

Exercise 3
Complete the sentences using so, neither and the words in brackets with the correct auxiliary.
EXAMPLE: ‘Michael didn’t play very well’ ‘Neither did James. (James)

'My phone doesn't work very well.' ' ________________________________(mine).'

'Emily has passed the exam.' ' ________________________________(Victor).'

'I live in the city center.' '________________________________ (my parents).'

'We went camping last summer.' ' ________________________________(we).'

'Sofia wasn't very inspired by the teacher.' ' ________________________________(Nic).'

James didn't say "hello" when he saw us and ____________________________ (Daniel).

'I'm working this weekend.' ' ________________________________(I).'

Ellen should apologise and ________________________________ (you).

I won't accept your apology and ________________________________ (my wife).

 10

'I'm not really worried.' '________________________________ (I).'