If you’re like most people, you’ve probably been using the phrases “me either” and “me neither” in your writing and conversation for years. But is this grammatically correct? The answer might surprise you. In this post, we’ll answer that question and help you choose between “me either” or “me neither”.
Me Neither vs. Me Either – Which Is The Best Pick?
Just because two words are spelled similarly does not mean they have similar definitions. Take phonetics and phonics or even pricey or pricy for example. “Me neither” and “me either” are very similar phrases that are used in response to a statement. However, there is one key difference.
- Me Neither – Used in response to a negative statement.
- Me Either – Used in response to a positive statement.
Additionally, the phrase “me either” is used more commonly in British English. It is rare for a native English speaker in America to use that phrase in writing or conversation.
Takeaway: “Me either” is a response to a positive sentence. “Me neither” is a response to a negative statement.
Which Is Grammatically Correct?
The word “either” can act as an adverb or a pronoun. It is most commonly used to indicate similarity or present an option between two alternatives. “Neither”, on the other hand, is similar but has the opposite meaning of “either“. If you’re an aspiring college student, these grammar SAT tips like either or neither is critical.
But which is considered proper grammar: “me either” or “me neither”? English grammar rules can be tricky because there are so many phrases, like have a nice or great weekend, are almost identical. In a formal setting, both “me either” and “me neither” are considered to be grammatically incorrect. However, that does NOT mean they do not have a place in written and verbal communication. These phrases can be used in informal communication.
- Conversation with a friend
- Text messages
- Blog post
- Social media communication
Here are some situations where you should AVOID these terms.
- Academic research paper
- Published article
- College application
- Business communications
Takeaway: Avoid using “me either” or “me neither” in formal writing.
Examples
“Me Either Examples”
- Statement: “This test is going to be so difficult for me” Response: “It will not be a cakewalk for me either.”
- Statement: “The teacher was clear she was not a fan of me.” Response: “Judging by how she graded my test, she does not seem to be a fan of me either!”
“Me Neither Examples”
- Statement: “I didn’t enjoy that basketball game last night.” Response: “Me neither.”
- Statement: “I don’t plan on attending class tomorrow.” Response: “Me neither. Our teacher is the worst!”
However, just like we saw in our post comparing the terms amateur vs amatuer, even small spelling mistakes can change your writing
What Not To Do
Avoid using a double negative in your writing. A double negative occurs when you use two negative words in the same sentence.
- For example, “I didn’t do nothing wrong.” While this might sound like proper English, it’s actually incorrect.
Double negatives are confusing and can change the meaning of your sentence. For instance, the sentence above actually means “I did something wrong.”
When it comes to using the phrases “me either or me neither” the rules of double negatives also apply.
- For example, you would NOT say “That new law is not good for me neither“. “Not” & “me neither” are both negatives and can’t be used together!
To avoid confusion, it’s best to only use one negative word per sentence. So instead of saying “I did not do nothing,” you would say “I did not do anything.” It might not sound as exciting, but it will definitely make more sense to your reader. Just like we learned in our post about the phrase I myself, there is a right a wrong way to use all vocabulary.
Informal vs. Formal English
In today’s world of text messages, tik toks, and tweets we are all too accustomed with informal and slang communication. However, It’s a common misconception that English has only one form.
In reality, there are two distinct forms of language:
- Formal Writing
- Informal Writing
Formal English is typically used in academic or professional settings, while informal English is more relaxed and used in everyday conversation.
There are some similarities between the two forms, they also have several key differences.
- Formal English is generally more precise and concise
- Informal English is more conversational
- Formal English also tends to use more complicated words and structures
- Informal English is simpler.
As a result, it’s important to choose the right form of English depending on the situation. If you’re giving a presentation at work, for example, you’ll want to use formal English, but if you’re catching up with a friend over coffee, informal English is perfectly fine.
Know Your Audience
Always pay close attention to your audience in both written and verbal communication. There are times when you use informal or descriptive grammar. And there are times when you should use more formal writing and follow the English grammar rules to a T!
Note: If you are talking to your boss or writing a college application…avoid informal phrases such as “me either” or “me neither”.
Which Phrase Is More Popular?
The data from Google’s N-Gram Viewer shows that the phrase “me either” is used more frequently in published writing. It is far less common to for writers to respond to a negative phrase with the phrase “me neither”.
However, it is important to note that just because a certain phrase or term is popular in a specific context doesn’t necessarily mean it is grammatically correct or widely accepted in formal writing. There are many colloquial terms that have become normal for modern writers to use in their published writing.
FAQs – Either or Neither
“Me neither” is considered grammatically correct. Although “me either” is used in casual conversation by American English speakers, it is not the proper use of this phrase.
The difference between me neither and me either is simple. “Me either” is used as a response to a positive statement. “Me neither” is used in response to a negative statement. “Me either” is less frequently used and is more of an American English phrase than a British English phrase.
When someone says the phrase “me neither” they are showing agreement with a negative statement. Here is an example of how native english speakers might use this phrase. “I have no interest in going to see that movie tomorrow. / Me neither. I hate Tom Cruise movies!” “Me neither” is used to respond to the negative form of a statement.
“Me neither” is used when a person responds to negative sentences. For example “I don’t want to go to the mall/ Me neither”. Remember that “me neither” should not be used in formal English. It is more frequently used by a native speaker in casual conversation or a blog post.
“Me neither” and “neither do I” have the same meaning. They can be interchangeable in reaction to a negative statement. These two phrases can be considered correct and used the same way in response to a negative sentence.
Yes, “me either” is a sentence. “Me either” is used to show agreement with a positive statement. While “me neither” is used to agree with a negative statement. Both “me neither” and “me either”are similar in use…so pay close attention to the statement you are reacting to.
The Bottom Line
Both “me either” and “me neither” are common phrases that can be used to improve your writing. When used correctly, they can make your writing sound more casual and conversational. They also help you avoid sounding too formal or stilted.
Next time you find yourself stuck for words, try using one of these phrases to get the conversation flowing again. Remember, know your audience before using any slang or informal English!