In this reference, you will explore the main differences between “me either” and “me neither,”. You will see examples of both phrases in context, learn about variations in English dialects, and find related confused words. The sections cover American vs. British usage and regional differences to help clarify when to use each phrase correctly.
Contents
Me Either or Me Neither: The Main Differences
Quick Tips
- Use “me neither” to agree with negative statements (e.g., “I don’t like it.” — “Me neither.”).
- Avoid using “me either” to agree with negative statements, as it is generally considered informal and incorrect in standard English.
Me Either or Me Neither | The Definition
Me Neither:
- Meaning: Used to agree with a negative statement made by someone else. It means “not me either.”
- Use: Commonly used in informal conversation to indicate that you feel the same way or share the same negative condition as someone else.
- Example:
- Person A: “I don’t like mushrooms.”
- Person B: “Me neither.”
- Explanation: “Me neither” is used here to agree with a negative statement (“I don’t like mushrooms”).
Me Either:
- Meaning: Generally considered incorrect in standard English when used to agree with a negative statement. “Me either” should actually be part of a longer phrase, such as “I don’t either,” but “me neither” is the more appropriate and commonly accepted form for short responses.
- Incorrect Use:
- Person A: “I don’t want to go.”
- Person B: “Me either.” (Considered incorrect)
- Correct Use (Full Phrase):
- Person A: “I don’t want to go.”
- Person B: “I don’t want to go either.” (Correct, but the short form “Me neither” is preferred in informal conversation)
Common Mistakes with “Me Either” and “Me Neither”
- Using “me either” to agree with a negative statement:
- Incorrect: “I don’t like the cold. Me either.”
- Correct: “I don’t like the cold. Me neither.”
- Explanation: “Me neither” is used to agree with a negative statement.
- Confusing “either” and “neither” in negative agreements:
- Incorrect: “She can’t swim. Me either.”
- Correct: “She can’t swim. Me neither.”
- Explanation: “Me neither” aligns with the negative context (“can’t swim”).
Me Either or Me Neither: Examples in Context
Examples of ‘Me Neither’
In Agreement to Negative Statements: When someone expresses a negative statement, “me neither” is the appropriate response to show agreement.
| Negative Statement | Appropriate Response |
|---|---|
| “I don’t like cold weather.” | “Me neither.” |
| “I can’t understand the directions.” | “Me neither.” |
Usage with Singular Subjects: “Me neither” is commonly used when both the speaker and listener are referring to themselves as individual subjects.
- Friend: “I haven’t seen the new movie yet.”
- You: “Me neither, I plan to go this weekend.”
Examples of ‘Me Either’
In Agreement to Negative Statements with a Positive twist: Although “me neither” is more common, some dialects use “me either” similarly to agree with negative statements but with a slight positive twist.
| Negative Statement | Possible Positive Response |
|---|---|
| “I don’t like going out much.” | “Me either, I prefer staying in.” |
Usage in Informal Situations: The usage of “me either” is typically more informal and often heard in casual conversations.
- Coworker: “I can’t stay late tonight for the meeting.”
- You: “Me either, I have other commitments.”
Variations in English Dialects
We often encounter differences in the way certain phrases are used across English dialects, particularly when comparing American and British English. These distinctions can affect our understanding and usage of expressions such as “me either” and “me neither.”
American vs. British Usage
“Me neither” is a common phrase used to agree with a negative statement in both American and British English. For instance:
- American: “I don’t like spinach.”
- British: “Me neither.”
However, when it comes to affirmative agreements, Americans might use “me either” in casual conversation, though it is considered nonstandard. On the other hand, British speakers rarely use “me either,” preferring to rephrase the sentiment.
Regional Differences
Within American and British English, regional variations further influence how “me either” and “me neither” are used.
- Northeastern United States: “Me neither” is prevalent, and “me either” is rarely heard.
- Southern United States: You may come across unique constructions such as “Nor I” as an equivalent to “me neither.”
In the UK, regional dialects can vary significantly:
- Southern England: “Me neither” is the standard, following Received Pronunciation rules.
- Northern England and Scotland: Variations often reflect local dialects, with phrases like “Nor me” being used similarly.
Our exploration shows just how nuanced English can be, with even simple phrases like “me either” and “me neither” subject to a patchwork of regional variations.
Related Confused Words
Me Neither vs. Me Too
“Me Neither” and “Me Too” are both common conversational expressions used to express agreement, but they convey agreement in different ways.
“Me Too” is used to express that the speaker shares the same sentiment, feeling, or experience as the person they are responding to. For example, if someone says “I really enjoyed the movie,” the response “Me too” indicates that the speaker also enjoyed the movie.
On the other hand, “Me Neither” is used to express that the speaker also does not share the sentiment, feeling, or experience as the person they are responding to. For example, if someone says “I didn’t like the movie,” the response “Me neither” indicates that the speaker also did not like the movie.
Me Either vs. Me Too
“Me either” is commonly used in informal English to express agreement or similarity, particularly in response to a negative statement. For example, if someone says “I don’t like coffee,” the response “Me either” indicates that the speaker also shares the sentiment of not liking coffee.
On the other hand, “Me too” is used to express agreement or similarity with a positive statement. For example, if someone says “I really enjoyed the movie,” the response “Me too” indicates that the speaker also shares the sentiment of enjoying the movie.
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