How to Use Me Too, Me Neither, So Do I, and Neither Do I

Have you ever been in a conversation where someone says, “I love pizza,” and you want to agree? Do you say “Me too,” “So do I,” or something else? These small phrases might seem simple, but they’re actually one of the trickiest parts of English grammar for many learners.

In this comprehensive guide, I’ll break down the differences between agreement and disagreement responses in English.

By the end of this post, you’ll know exactly when to use “Me too,” “Me neither,” “So do I,” “Neither do I,” and all their variations with confidence.

Table of Contents

What Are Agreement and Disagreement Responses?

Agreement and disagreement responses are short phrases we use to show that we share the same opinion or experience as someone else. Think of them as conversational shortcuts that help us connect with others quickly and naturally.

Agreement responses show that you have the same positive experience or opinion:

“I love chocolate.” → “Me too!” / “So do I!”

Disagreement responses show that you share the same negative experience or don’t have that experience:

“I don’t like spinach.” → “Me neither!” / “Neither do I!”

These responses are essential for natural English conversation. According to linguistics research from Cambridge University, native speakers use these agreement patterns hundreds of times per day without even thinking about it.

The Basic Rules: Positive vs. Negative Statements

The golden rule is simple but crucial: match the tone of the original statement.

For Positive Statements (Affirmative):

When someone makes a positive statement, use positive agreement responses:

“Me too” (informal)
“So do I” / “So am I” / “So have I” (more formal)

For Negative Statements:

When someone makes a negative statement, use negative agreement responses:

“Me neither” (informal)
“Neither do I” / “Neither am I” / “Neither have I” (more formal)

Let me share a real example from my classroom experience. Last week, a student named Sarah said, “I went to the movies yesterday.” Her classmate responded with “Me neither!” The whole class laughed because it sounded like he was saying he didn’t go to the movies, which created confusion. The correct response should have been “Me too!” or “So did I!”

Breaking Down Each Response Type

“Me Too” and “Me Neither”

These are the most casual and commonly used responses in everyday English.

“Me Too” Usage:

Responds to positive statements
Very informal and friendly
Works in almost all casual situations

Examples:

A: “I’m tired today.” → B: “Me too!”
A: “I studied French in college.” → B: “Me too!”
A: “I can drive.” → B: “Me too!”

“Me Neither” Usage:

Responds to negative statements
Equally informal
Perfect for casual conversations

Examples:

A: “I don’t like horror movies.” → B: “Me neither!”
A: “I can’t swim.” → B: “Me neither!”
A: “I haven’t finished my homework.” → B: “Me neither!”

“So Do I” Pattern

This pattern is more formal and follows a specific structure: So + auxiliary verb + I

The auxiliary verb must match the tense and form of the original statement:

Present Simple: “So do I” / “So does he/she”

A: “I work downtown.” → B: “So do I.”
A: “She likes coffee.” → B: “So do I.” (if you also like coffee)

Present Continuous: “So am I” / “So is he/she”

A: “I’m studying English.” → B: “So am I.”

Past Simple: “So did I”

A: “I went to Paris last year.” → B: “So did I.”

Present Perfect: “So have I” / “So has he/she”

A: “I have seen that movie.” → B: “So have I.”

Modal Verbs: Match the modal

A: “I can speak Spanish.” → B: “So can I.”
A: “I should exercise more.” → B: “So should I.”

“Neither Do I” Pattern

This follows the same structure as “So do I” but for negative statements: Neither + auxiliary verb + I

Present Simple: “Neither do I”

A: “I don’t eat meat.” → B: “Neither do I.”

Present Continuous: “Neither am I”

A: “I’m not working today.” → B: “Neither am I.”

Past Simple: “Neither did I”

A: “I didn’t watch TV last night.” → B: “Neither did I.”

Present Perfect: “Neither have I”

A: “I haven’t been to Japan.” → B: “Neither have I.”

Modal Verbs: Match the modal

A: “I can’t dance.” → B: “Neither can I.”

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Through my 10+ years of teaching experience, I’ve noticed these recurring mistakes:

Mistake 1: Mixing Positive and Negative

❌ Wrong: A: “I love pizza.” → B: “Me neither!” ✅ Correct: A: “I love pizza.” → B: “Me too!” / “So do I!”

Mistake 2: Wrong Auxiliary Verb

❌ Wrong: A: “I went home early.” → B: “So do I!” ✅ Correct: A: “I went home early.” → B: “So did I!”

Mistake 3: Using “So” with Negative Statements

❌ Wrong: A: “I don’t like spicy food.” → B: “So don’t I!” ✅ Correct: A: “I don’t like spicy food.” → B: “Neither do I!” / “Me neither!”

Mistake 4: Forgetting to Change the Auxiliary for Different Subjects

❌ Wrong: A: “My sister lives in Tokyo.” → B: “So do I!” (if you also live in Tokyo) ✅ Correct: A: “My sister lives in Tokyo.” → B: “So do I!” (This is actually correct – you’re agreeing about yourself)

Practical Tips for Mastery

Tip 1: Listen for Key Words

Pay attention to words like “don’t,” “can’t,” “haven’t,” “didn’t” – these signal negative statements requiring “me neither” or “neither do I” responses.

Tip 2: Practice with Mirror Conversations

Stand in front of a mirror and have conversations with yourself. Make statements and practice responding with both informal and formal agreement patterns.

Tip 3: Use the Substitution Test

If you can replace the original statement with “I do,” use “So do I.” If you can replace it with “I don’t,” use “Neither do I.”

Tip 4: Start with Informal Responses

“Me too” and “Me neither” are safer choices for beginners. Once you’re comfortable, gradually incorporate the more formal patterns.

Advanced Usage and Regional Variations

In American English, “Me either” is sometimes used instead of “Me neither,” though “Me neither” remains more standard. British English tends to be stricter about using “Me neither.”

Some advanced patterns include:

Emphatic agreement: “I absolutely love this song!” → “So do I!” (with emphasis)
Formal written English: In academic or professional writing, prefer “So do I” over “Me too”

Real-Life Application: Conversation Flow

Here’s how these responses create natural conversation flow:

Scenario: Coffee shop conversation

Alex: “I need coffee to wake up in the morning.”
Sam: “So do I! I can’t function without it.”
Alex: “I don’t drink it after 3 PM though.”
Sam: “Me neither! It keeps me awake at night.”
Alex: “I’ve tried switching to decaf.”
Sam: “So have I, but it’s just not the same.”

Notice how these short responses keep the conversation moving while building connection and understanding.

Conclusion: Building Confident Conversations

Mastering agreement and disagreement responses is like learning the rhythm of English conversation. These small phrases help you connect with others, show empathy, and participate naturally in discussions.

Remember the core principle: match positive with positive, negative with negative. Start with “Me too” and “Me neither” for casual situations, then gradually incorporate the more formal “So do I” and “Neither do I” patterns as you become more comfortable.

Practice these patterns daily in your conversations, and soon they’ll become as natural as saying “hello” or “thank you.” The key is consistent practice and paying attention to how native speakers use these responses in real conversations.

Keep practicing, stay patient with yourself, and remember that every native speaker had to learn these patterns too – you’re just doing it more consciously!

How to Use Me Too, Me Neither, So Do I, and Neither Do I

What Are Agreement and Disagreement Responses?