English Grammar – Intermediate
“So and Neither + Auxiliary”
Lesson Content

Warm-Up Question:
Ask the following questions and respond whether you agree or disagree with them.
Example:
- A: “Do you like rock music?”
- B: “Yes, I do.” OR “I don’t.”
- A: “Oh! So do I.” OR “I don’t like it either.” (Neither do I.)
Listening in Context:
So today, we were talking about AI in class, and one student said, βAI can make our work a lot easier and save time.β So I responded, βSo do I . . . to a degree. It can handle repetitive tasks and free us up for the more interesting parts of our jobs, but it CAN take away jobs as well.β
Another student admitted, βI haven’t started learning new skills for the future.β I said, βNeither have I. Honestly, it’s hard to know where to start.β
Someone else said, βI don’t feel confident using AI in my work.β Well, neither do I. I guess the only way to get better is just to learn about it and experiment, even if it feels awkward at first.
Finally, one student said, βI have real concerns about the impact AI will have on all of us.β You know what? So do I. I’m worried that it will affect the human element of the workplace and even the environment. It’s kind of scary. We need to balance the benefits of AI while considering the human costs as well.
All in all, AI is powerful, but how we respond, learn, and adapt will make all of the difference.
Grammar Focus
We use βSoβ and βNeitherβ to show agreement with someone’s statement.
- βSoβ is used to agree with positive statements.
- βNeitherβ is used to agree with negative statements.
The structure is:
- So / Neither + auxiliary verb + subject
Use the same auxiliary verb or form of be from the original statement (e.g., do, does, did, am, is, are, was, were, have, will, etc.)
Examples:
- βI like pizza.β β βSo do I.β
- βShe doesn’t drive.β β βNeither does he.β
- βThey were late.β β βSo were we.β
- βI haven’t finished my work.β β βNeither have I.β
β οΈ Caution: Don’t change the verb tense or use the base verb. These are short agreement statements, not full clauses.
- β Incorrect: βSo I likeβ
- β Correct: βSo do Iβ
- β Incorrect: βNeither I don’tβ
- β Correct: βNeither do Iβ
This pattern keeps conversations natural and avoids repetition.
π£οΈWhy This Grammar Matters for Listening and Speaking
βSo / Neitherβ responses are common in natural conversation. They help you sound more fluent and connected when you’re reacting to someone else’s statement. Instead of repeating the full sentence, you can quickly show agreement.
Real-life uses:
- Reacting during casual chats:
- βI’m tired today.β β βSo am I.β
- Talking about shared experiences:
- βWe went to that new restaurant.β β βSo did we!β
- Expressing common dislikes:
- βI don’t like loud music.β β βNeither do I.β
Useful phrases:
- βSo do I.β / βSo does she.β / βSo will we.β
- βNeither do I.β / βNeither have they.β / βNeither am I.β
π§ Listening Tip: Pay attention to auxiliary verbs like do, be, have, and their tenses. These help you catch meaning quickly.
If your classmate says, βI can’t swim,β and you hear, βNeither can I,β you know they both share that experience. Understanding this pattern improves your response time and helps conversations flow naturally.
Let’s Practice
Language Game
Now, practice your language skills with this interactive game.
π§π£οΈ Listening & Speaking Practice Questions
These questions help you practice listening to someone and responding with βSoβ or βNeither.β Try to add a short comment after you agree to continue the conversation.
- Daily Life:
- What’s something you really enjoy?
β€ βI love cooking.β β βSo do I! What do you like to cook?β
- What’s something you really enjoy?
- Dislikes:
- Is there something you don’t enjoy doing?
β€ βI don’t like doing laundry.β β βNeither do I. It’s so boring.β
- Is there something you don’t enjoy doing?
- Habits and Routines:
- Do you get up early in the morning?
β€ βYes, I wake up at 6 a.m.β β βSo do I! It’s hard, right?β
- Do you get up early in the morning?
- Past Experiences:
- Did you travel last summer?
β€ βYes, I went to Mexico.β β βSo did I! What city did you visit?β
- Did you travel last summer?
- Future Plans:
- Are you going to study this weekend?
β€ βNo, I’m taking a break.β β βNeither am I. I need some rest too.β
- Are you going to study this weekend?
- Family:
- Does your mom enjoy reading?
β€ βYes, she reads every night.β β βSo does mine! What does she read?β
- Does your mom enjoy reading?
- Feelings:
- Are you feeling tired today?
β€ βYes, I stayed up too late.β β βSo am I! I need more sleep.β
- Are you feeling tired today?