SO DO I vs. ME TOO

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11May

SO DO I vs. ME TOO

English learners are often confused about when to use SO DO I and when to use ME TOO. Do you know the difference between SO DO I and ME TOO, and when to use them? Read on!

SO DO I vs. ME TOO

Both SO DO I and ME TOO are used as a response to simple statements. The statements must be positive (without the word “no” or “not”).  SO DO I is more formal, while ME TOO is more informal.

ME TOO

ME TOO is more informal. It is used in casual conversation.

  • I love ice cream. Me too.
  • I slept so well last night. Me too.
  • I think I’ll order the chicken. Me too.

 

What about negative sentences? For these, we say ME NEITHER.

  • I can’t dance. Me neither.
  • I didn’t sleep well last night. Me neither.
  • I’m not ordering dessert. Me neither.

 

SO DO I

SO DO I is more formal. It is used in writing, in more formal conversations, and in presentations.

  • I love the book The Sun Also Rises. So do I.
  • I think she did an excellent job on his presentation. So do I.

 

SO + [WORD] + I

Note that we can use SO + [WORD] + I/SUBJECT with other positive statements. The middle word must match the verb or verbs of the first statement.  

Use DID if the original positive statement is in the simple past.

  • I loved the book Charlotte’s Web when I was a child. So did I.
  • I thought he did an excellent job in the interview. So did I.

Use a MODAL if the original statement uses a modal.

  • I could order another glass of wine. So could I.
  • I can touch my toes. So can Sarah.
  • He can speak French. So can I.

Use WILL if the original statement uses the simple future.

  • I think I will go to bed. So will I.
  • I think I will study Mathematics in college. So will Janet.

Use the BE VERB with be + ing statements.

  • I am going camping this weekend. So am I!
  • He is going to UC Davis this fall. So are Jill and Thomas.

 

Negative statements

What about negative statements? We cannot use SO DO I or its variations. We must use NEITHER. Use the form NEITHER + [VERB/MODAL] + SUBJECT. Make sure that the verb or modal from the original statement matches the verb/modal in the “neither” statement.

  • I can’t dance. Neither can I.
  • I didn’t sleep well last night. Neither did I.
  • I’m not ordering dessert. Neither am I.

 

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by Jessica Rodein Learning English