If we can say the same thing as another person, we can add “too” or “either” at the end of a sentence.
too – At the end of a sentence with a positive verb:
I’m tired. — I’m tired too. / I am too.
John is a student. — I am a student too. / I am too.
Mike went to Canada on his vacation. — Really? We did too.
Tim can speak German. — I can too.
either – At the end of a sentence with a negative verb:
I’m not tired. — I’m not tired either. / I’m not either.
John isn’t a student. — I’m not a student either. / I’m not either.
Tom can’t speak German. — I can’t either.
Mike didn’t go to Canada on his vacation. — We didn’t either.
Other options for a sentence with a positive verb:
so am I = I am too:
I’m going to college next fall. — So am I. (I’m going to college next fall too.)
The Martins are moving to Wyoming. — So are we. (We are moving to Wyoming too.)
so do I = I do to (do, can, would, should, etc.):
I like swimming. — So do I.
I can ride a bike. — So can I.
I should go to bed now. — So should I.
I’d like to have a million dollars. (I would like to have a million dollars.) — So would I.
We have three cats. — So do the Smiths.
Jack went camping in Michigan. — So did we.
Other options for a sentence with a negative verb:
neither am I = I’m not either:
I’m not going to college next fall. — Neither am I. (I’m not either.)
The Martins aren’t moving to Wyoming. — Neither are we. (We aren’t either.)
neither do I = I don’t either (do, can, would, should, etc.):
I don’t like dogs. — Neither do I.
I can’t speak Italian. — Neither can I.
I would never treat my mother like that! — Neither would I!
Dick shouldn’t eat so much. — Neither should Harry.
Exercise. Complete the responses by writing “too” or “either.”
Example:
My birthday’s in July. — My birthday is ___________. ==> My birthday’s in July. — My birthday is too.
1. It didn’t rain on Friday.
It didn’t rain on Saturday ___________.
2. Tom was late for school yesterday.
Sam was late ___________.
3. Jane is getting married in June.
Susan is getting married in June ___________.
4. Dick doesn’t like coffee.
Jane doesn’t like coffee ___________.
5. I can play the piano.
Kathy can play the piano ___________.
6. I haven’t seen the new movie.
We haven’t seen the new movie ___________.
7. I can’t wait to see you next week!
I can’t wait to see you next week ___________!
8. William Shakespeare was a famous writer.
Mark Twain was a famous writer ___________.
9. Mark won’t eat his supper.
He won’t eat his dessert ___________.
10. Jake went hunting last weekend.
Bill went hunting last weekend ___________.
Exercise. Respond to the following sentences with either “So…I” or “Neither…I”
Example:
I wouldn’t want to be in his shoes.— ____________. ==> I wouldn’t want to be in his shoes.—Neither would I.
1. I wouldn’t know what size shoes Max wears
___________.
2. I was just thinking about Mrs. Carson.
___________.
3. I have the complete works of J.S. Bach on CD.
___________.
4. I love the smell of fresh-baked bread.
___________.
5. I haven’t heard any more about Carly’s grandmother.
___________.
6. Wendy could pick Helen up at the airport next Tuesday.
___________.
7. Wait, I’m not ready to leave yet.
___________.
8. It looks like Howard won’t be coming to the party this Saturday.
___________.
9. Peter can do a hundred push-ups.
___________.
10. Mary didn’t finish her report on the Pilgrims.
___________.