Unit 6: So & Neither
Learning Objectives
- Understand when to use 'so' (positive) and 'neither' (negative) in responses
- Select the correct auxiliary verb to match the original statement
- Produce grammatically correct so/neither responses
So and Neither
So and neither (or nor) are used to show that something is also true of another person or situation. They are a concise alternative to repeating the full verb phrase.
Positive statement: "I enjoy reading."
Agreement: "So do I."
Negative statement: "She doesn't like spicy food."
Agreement: "Neither do I."
Forming So/Neither Responses
The auxiliary verb in the response must match the tense of the original statement.
| Statement | Response |
|---|---|
| I am tired. | So am I. |
| She works hard. | So do I. |
| They have finished. | So have I. |
| He can swim. | So can I. |
| We will attend. | So will I. |
| Statement | Response |
|---|---|
| I am not ready. | Neither am I. |
| She doesn't drive. | Neither do I. |
| They haven't replied. | Neither have I. |
| He can't swim. | Neither can I. |
| We won't be there. | Neither will I. |
The auxiliary verb in So/Neither must match the one in the original sentence. If the original uses have, so does the response. If it uses did, so does the response. Never use a different auxiliary.
| Correct | Incorrect |
|---|---|
| I worked hard. So did I. ✓ | I worked hard. So do I. ✗ |
| She has left. So has she. ✓ | She has left. So did she. ✗ |
Tool: So/Neither Generator
Type a positive or negative statement. The tool will generate the correct So… or Neither… response.
Try: "I enjoy cooking." or "She can't drive."
Check Your Understanding
Complete the response: 'She has finished her essay.' '___'
'I can't play the piano.' Which response is correct?
When do you use 'neither' instead of 'so'?
Watch
Video coming soon
Review
| Statement type | Response word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Positive | So | I like coffee. — So do I. |
| Negative | Neither / Nor | I don't like tea. — Neither do I. |
Always match the auxiliary verb: be, do, have, or a modal.
The tool clears the input and disables the button after generating a response, so you are ready to enter a new sentence immediately. This prevents accidental duplicate submissions.
Proceed to Unit 7: Short Answers when ready.