Difference between 'So' & 'Neither' - English Grammar lesson
This lesson is going to teach us the correct usage of very common words like “so” and “neither”. The first thing to remember is that both these words are used in agreement to a statement that is being said. However, the difference in the two words is that “so” is used in agreement to a positive statement and “neither” is used in agreement to a negative statement. Let’s look at the different responses we can get using both these words:
1)When a statement is made in the Simple present tense, you will use
So do I-if it is positive statement
Eg:I love shopping
So do I
However, you will use Neither do I- if it is negative statement
Eg:I don’t like football
Neither do I
2)When a statement is made in the Simple present using the “be” form of the verb (is, am, are) or if the statement is used in the present continuous tense, you will use
So am I- if it is positive statement
Eg-I am a doctor (be form of the verb)
So am I
Eg:I am studying medicine (present continuous)
So am I
However, you will use Neither am I- if it is negative statement
Eg:I am not thirsty (be form of the verb)
Neither am I
Eg:I am not planning to travel (present continuous)
Neither am I
3) When a statement is made in the Simple past tense, you will use
So did I-if it is positive statement
Eg:I read a book last night
So did i
However, you will use Neither did I- if it is negative statement
Eg:I didn’t go to the party
Neither did I
4) When a statement is made in the Simple past tense with the be form of the verb (was, were), you will use
So was I- if it is positive statement
Eg:I was overweight as a child
So was I
However, you will use Neither was I- if it is negative statement
Eg:I wasn’t happy with the feedback I received
Neither was I
5) When a statement is made using words like have or haven’t, you will use
So have I-if it is positive statement
Eg:I have registered for guitar class
So have I
However, you will use Neither have I- if it is negative statement
Eg: I haven’t given her the book
Neither have I
6) When a statement is made using words like can or can’t, (showing your capability or incapability)you will use
So can I-if it is positive statement
Eg:I can read the entire book
So can I
However, you will use Neither can I- if it is negative statement
Eg:I cant swin for more than 30 minutes
Neither can I
7) When a statement is made using words like will or wont, (indicating Future tense)you will use
So will I- if it is positive statement
Eg:I will cook pasta for lunch tomorrow
So will I
However, you will use Neither will I- if it is negative statement
Eg:I wont drive to work tomorrow
Neither will I
