Your friend stated how she doesn’t like pancakes with bananas and maple syrup, just like you. So, how do you respond to her? Will you use “Me either” or “Me neither”?
Confusing right? Both of the phrases sound so fitting. That’s exactly how you make common mistakes with similar-sounding phrases.
In English grammar, there are some specific rules for responding to negative sentences using these phrases.
So, you need to have a clear idea about their meaning, usage, and applicability in agreeing to negative sentences to use the correct form.
Most people confuse these phrases, as they both sound correct. However, the grammatically accepted phrase is “Me neither”.
Apparently, you can say that it uses the negative form to show agreement with the negative sense of the conversation. But, there’s more to its usage.
If you are also wondering which one you should use — “Me either” or “Me neither” — your fellow grammar buddy is here to save the day.
Today, I have brought you a detailed guide on the use and misuse of the “Me neither” phrase. So that you can learn and avoid using the wrong phrase.
Stay tuned!
Me Either Or Me Neither: Which One Is Correct?
To decide which one is the correct response, you need to know the context of the conversation.
Based on whether it is negative or affirmative, you can decide on the correct usage of the phrases — “Me either” or “Me neither”.
So, if you are responding to a negative sentence, you need to use the “Me neither” phrase. It is more befitting to the context and shows your agreement with the sense.
However, if you want to use the word “either” instead of “neither”, you need to frame the phrase differently. For instance,
Person 1: I don’t like frostings on cakes.
Person 2: I don’t like them either. (Agreeing with Person 1).
So, instead of wrongly using “Me either”, you should opt for a differently framed sentence to show your agreement with the negative context.
What Are The Key Differences Between “Me Either” And “Me Neither”?
To better understand which phrase to use, you need to know the key differences between both the phrases — “Me either” or “Me neither”.
| Me Either | Me Neither |
|---|---|
| Grammatically wrong phrase. | It is a grammatically correct phrase. |
| No usage. | The phrase is used to show agreement with the negative context of the conversation. |
| Example: No example. | Example: Sarah: I don’t think I can come to the party today. Jane: Me neither. |
How To Use “Me Neither” With Negative Statements?
To better understand how to use the phrase “Me neither”, you need to have a clear idea of its meaning and usage. This will help you to know when and how to use it correctly.
Definition
Breaking down the words and understanding the individual meaning of the phrase “Me neither” can give you clarity on the concept.
For instance, “Me” is a pronoun that is used to refer to the first person. And, “Neither” is a conjunction that is used to refer to ‘also not’.
So, combining them together makes the phrase “Me neither,” which refers to the first person also saying no to something or someone.
And, when used as a response to negative sentences, it shows agreement with the negative sense.
When To Use?
The phrase “Me neither” is generally used to respond negatively to the negative statements. It is the correct way of responding to negative contexts in agreement.
So, when you want to agree with someone or a negative context mentioned in the conversation, you can use the phrase.
Examples Of “Me Neither” In Sentences
Here are some example scenarios of using “Me neither” in different sentences.
- Scenario 1:
John: I don’t like eating pizza.
Steve: Me neither.
- Scenario 2:
Person A: I won’t be joining the basketball club this year.
Me: Me neither.
- Scenario 3:
Anna: I don’t understand the concept of Thermodynamics.
Martha: Me neither.
- Scenario 4:
Person A: I don’t think I’ll enjoy watching this movie.
Me: Me neither.
- Scenario 5:
George: I didn’t enjoy last night’s football match.
Sam: Me neither.
How To Use “Me Either” With Negative Statements?
Technically, the phrase “Me either” is incorrect when used to respond to negative statements. So, you should not use it. However, you can use “either” differently.
Definition
As the phrase “Me either” is grammatically incorrect, there is no meaning.
However, if you are using the word “either” differently to agree with the negative sentences, you need to understand its meaning.
Primarily, the term is an adjective that has different meanings based on the context it is used. So, when it is used against a negative sentence, it means ‘likewise’.
Furthermore, if you are using the word “either” in agreement with the negative sense of the conversation, you need to structure your sentence differently.
When To Use?
Given that the phrase “Me either” is incorrect, you can use the word “either” by placing it in your negative sentence.
Moreover, this helps you to convey your agreement with the negative context of the conversation. So, you can place the word “either” at the end of your negative sentence.
Examples Of Differently Using “Either” In Sentences
Here are some example scenarios of using “either” differently in the sentences.
- Scenario 1:
Ben: I don’t like having spicy food.
Jessy: I don’t like it either.
- Scenario 2:
Person A: I don’t think I will be needed for the meeting.
Me: I don’t think that either.
- Scenario 3:
Emma: I don’t think Ella will invite us to the party.
Martha: I don’t think she will either.
- Scenario 4:
Person A: I won’t be going to the movies with them tomorrow.
Me: I won’t be going either.
- Scenario 5:
David: I didn’t enjoy last night’s basketball match.
Fred: I didn’t enjoy either.
How To Avoid Common Errors With The Usage Of “Me Either” Or “Me Neither”?
Now that you know which one is the correct phrase — “Me either” or “Me neither”, you can easily use the right one in the right context.
However, to ensure you avoid making such common mistakes, here are some tips that will help you improve your English.
Firstly, you need to understand the context of the conversation to choose how you want to respond to the negative sentence.
Also, you should try to avoid using ambiguous phrases and words that do not clearly convey your response.
Secondly, use the correct phrase irrespective of the formality of the conversation. Using the correct form can help you to better convey your message.
Finally, if you want to use “either” in your sentence, make sure you frame your sentences differently. This will maintain the agreed sense with your negative sentence.
Remember, it is important to use the correct form of the phrase to ensure you are communicating effectively.
So, keep practicing and learning grammar to hone your speaking skills and avoid making common mistakes. Making you a pro English speaker.
LEARN MORE:
- Journies Or Journey: Which Is The Correct Spelling?
- Of Course Or Ofcourse: Which One Is The Correct Usage?
- Related To Or With: Which One Should You Use Correctly?
