Agreeing with negative sentences

Today we are going to look at how to agree with negative statements in English using “neither” and “either.”

Let’s get to it!

The word “neither” is  a combination of “not” and “either” and it is used with the verb in affirmative. It is not used with a negative “not.”

He isn’t hungry.

Neither am I.

However, the word “either” needs to be used with “not” in a sentence in order to make the sentence negative.

He isn’t hungry.

I’m not hungry either.

Now let’s look at “either” and “neither” when used with the verb “to be.”

Mike isn’t studying very much

You aren’t studying very much either

Neither are you!

Or:

I’m not happy.

We’re not happy either.

Neither is she.

The words “either” and “neither” can also be used with other verbs, in this case auxiliary verbs “don’t” or “doesn’t” or “didn’t” for the past.

I don’t like studying.

I don’t like studying either/ Neither do I.

She doesn’t want to waste time.

He doesn’t want to waste time either/ Neither does he.

Lena didn’t come to school today.

Her brother didn’t come either/ Neither did her brother

The same rules apply for the future “will” or “won’t” and modal verbs “would, could, must, can etc..”

He won’t becoming to the party.

Neither will I/ I won’t be coming either.

She wouldn’t go to certain countries on her own.

Neither would I.

I must not forget about your party.

Neither must I.

Sally can’t play tennis very well.

Neither can Jane.

Here’s a useful tip, in the first person singular instead of saying:

Nether do I

Neither did I

Neither will I

We can simply say “me either” when responding or making a statement! We hope that this post has been very useful for you.