Have you ever wondered whether to say “me either” or “me neither” when agreeing with someone who makes a negative statement? Both expressions appear in everyday English conversations, but choosing the right one can be confusing, especially when you want to sound natural and grammatically correct.
The good news is that “me neither” is the more widely accepted standard expression for agreeing with a negative statement, while “me either” is also used in informal conversation, particularly in some varieties of English.
In this guide, you will learn the difference between me either and me neither, when to use each phrase, how they work in real conversations, and which option is best for formal writing.
Me Either or Me Neither: Which One Is Correct?
Both expressions are used in English, but they do not have exactly the same level of acceptance in standard usage.
“Me neither” is the safer and more widely accepted choice when you want to agree with a negative statement. “Me either” is an informal alternative that some native speakers use in casual speech.
What does “me neither” mean?
“Me neither” means that a negative statement is also true about you. It is a shortened conversational response that communicates agreement with someone who says they do not do, like, have, or want something.
Examples:
- Person A: “I don’t like spicy food.”
- Person B: “Me neither.”
- Person A: “I haven’t seen that movie.”
- Person B: “Me neither.”
In both examples, the second speaker agrees with the negative statement.
What does “me either” mean?
“Me either” is an informal expression that some English speakers use with the same intended meaning as “me neither.”
For example:
- Person A: “I don’t enjoy waking up early.”
- Person B: “Me either.”
Although this response is understandable in casual conversation, “me neither” is generally the better choice for standard English, school assignments, professional communication, and formal writing.
Which expression should you choose?
Use this simple rule:
- Me neither: The recommended choice for agreeing with negative statements.
- Me either: An informal alternative heard in everyday conversation.
- Neither do I: A more complete and grammatically structured response.
- I don’t either: Another natural and widely accepted alternative.
For example, if someone says, “I don’t drink coffee,” you can respond with “Me neither,” “Neither do I,” or “I don’t either.”
All three communicate agreement with the negative statement.
Understanding the Grammar Behind “Me Either” and “Me Neither”
To understand why “me neither” is preferred in standard English, it helps to learn how negative agreement works.
How does negative agreement work?
Negative agreement happens when you agree with a statement that contains a negative idea, such as don’t, doesn’t, didn’t, can’t, or haven’t.
For example:
- “I don’t eat meat.” — “Me neither.”
- “She can’t swim.” — “Neither can I.”
- “We haven’t finished the assignment.” — “We haven’t either.”
The response changes depending on the sentence structure. According to Cambridge Dictionary, speakers can use “me neither,” “neither do I,” and negative sentences ending in “either” to express agreement with negative statements.
Cambridge Grammar
Why is “me neither” grammatically acceptable?
“Me neither” is a shortened conversational expression. It does not follow the complete subject-and-verb structure of a sentence, but that does not make it incorrect in everyday conversation.
For example:
- “I don’t understand this question.”
- “Me neither.”
The full response could be “I don’t understand this question either.”
In casual speech, the shorter version sounds natural and communicates the same idea.
Is “neither do I” more formal?
Yes. “Neither do I” is often more suitable when you want a complete, structured response.
Compare these examples:
| Informal expression | More structured alternative |
|---|---|
| Me neither. | Neither do I. |
| Me neither. | I don’t either. |
| Me neither. | Neither can I. |
| Me neither. | Neither have I. |
Choose the form that matches the original statement. For instance, if someone says, “I can’t drive,” respond with “Neither can I,” not “Neither do I.”
When Should You Use “Me Neither” or “Me Either”?
The best expression depends on the context, the level of formality, and the sentence you are responding to.
Use “me neither” in everyday conversations
“Me neither” works well when you want to agree with a negative statement without repeating the entire sentence.
Examples:
Example 1: Food preferences
- Alex: “I don’t like mushrooms.”
- Sam: “Me neither.”
Example 2: Daily activities
- Emma: “I haven’t exercised this week.”
- Olivia: “Me neither.”
Example 3: Entertainment
- Noah: “I haven’t watched that series.”
- Liam: “Me neither.”
In each example, the response confirms that the same negative situation applies to the second speaker.
Use “me either” in informal speech when it fits your dialect
Some speakers use “me either” as a casual alternative to “me neither.” You may hear it in conversations, text messages, and online discussions.
For example:
- “I don’t want to go outside today.”
- “Me either.”
The meaning is clear in this context, but the expression is less widely recommended in standard edited English.
If you are writing a school assignment, an article, a business email, or an English examination, choose “me neither,” “neither do I,” or “I don’t either,” depending on the sentence.
Avoid using either expression to agree with positive statements
Both expressions are associated with negative agreement in the contexts discussed here.
For example:
- Person A: “I love reading.”
- Person B: “Me too.”
“Me neither” would not express agreement with this positive statement.
Similarly:
- Person A: “I am excited about the trip.”
- Person B: “Me too!”
Remember that “me too” is the natural choice for agreeing with positive statements, while “me neither” is commonly used for negative ones.
Me Either vs. Me Neither: Comparison Table and Practical Examples
A quick comparison makes it easier to remember which expression to use.
What is the difference between the two phrases?
| Feature | Me neither | Me either |
|---|---|---|
| Main use | Agreeing with a negative statement | Informal negative agreement for some speakers |
| Standard English | Widely accepted | Less widely recommended |
| Casual conversations | Natural and common | Used by some speakers |
| Formal writing | Prefer a complete alternative, such as “Neither do I” | Generally avoid |
| Best general recommendation | Recommended | Use cautiously |
How to choose the correct expression
Follow these simple steps whenever you need to agree with a negative statement.
- Identify the negative statement. For example, “I don’t like cold weather.”
- Decide whether you share the same feeling or experience. If you do, use a negative-agreement response.
- Choose a suitable expression. “Me neither” is a safe conversational choice.
- Adjust for formality. In a formal setting, use “Neither do I” or “I don’t either” when appropriate.
- Check the verb structure. Match the auxiliary verb to the original statement if you choose a complete response.
More examples of correct usage
- “I didn’t call him yesterday.” — “Me neither.”
- “I can’t speak French.” — “Neither can I.”
- “I don’t have a car.” — “I don’t either.”
- “I haven’t visited London.” — “Neither have I.”
- “I wasn’t invited to the meeting.” — “Neither was I.”
Notice that “neither do I” is not a universal replacement for every negative statement. The auxiliary verb changes according to the original sentence.
A Real-Life Example: Choosing the Right Phrase in Conversation
Imagine that Ayesha is an English learner who wants to improve her speaking and writing skills. She understands everyday English well, but she sometimes struggles to choose between “me either” and “me neither.”
One day, Ayesha is talking with her classmate Daniel about a film they were supposed to watch over the weekend.
Daniel says, “I didn’t watch the new movie because I was too busy.”
Ayesha also missed the movie. She considers replying, “Me either,” because she has heard other people use that expression. However, she wants to use standard English, so she responds, “Me neither.”
Daniel understands her immediately, and the conversation continues naturally.
Later, they discuss their plans for the following week. Daniel says, “I can’t attend the extra class on Friday.” Ayesha has the same problem. Instead of repeating “Me neither,” she decides to use a more complete response: “Neither can I.”
This example demonstrates two useful points. First, “me neither” is a convenient way to agree with a negative statement in everyday conversation. Second, learning complete alternatives helps you respond more precisely when the original statement uses a particular auxiliary verb.
Ayesha also learns that context matters. If Daniel says, “I don’t want to miss the next class either,” the word “either” belongs naturally at the end of his negative sentence. It does not mean that “me either” and “me neither” are interchangeable in every grammatical construction.
By practicing these patterns, Ayesha becomes more confident in conversations, classroom discussions, and written assignments. She does not need to memorize a complicated rule for every situation. Instead, she remembers the basic principle: use “me neither” as the safe informal response to negative agreement, and choose a complete construction when greater precision or formality is needed.
What Do Grammar References and Recent Data Tell Us?
When comparing expressions such as “me either” and “me neither,” it is important to distinguish documented grammar guidance from unsupported claims about popularity.
What established grammar references say
The Cambridge Dictionary explains that “me neither” is used in informal speech to agree with a negative statement. It also documents structures such as “neither can I” and “I haven’t either.”
Cambridge Grammar
The Merriam-Webster is another useful resource for checking English word meanings and usage. You can consult its dictionary at
These resources help readers understand the established grammatical patterns rather than relying only on what they hear in casual conversation.
What about 2025–2026 statistics?
There is no verified, widely recognized 2025–2026 statistic available in the sources consulted here that establishes an exact percentage of English speakers who use “me either” instead of “me neither.”
Therefore, assigning percentages to either phrase would be misleading.
A useful evidence-based distinction is:
- Documented grammar guidance: Established grammar references recognize “me neither” as an informal negative-agreement response.
- Observed informal variation: Some speakers use “me either” in similar conversational situations.
- Practical recommendation: Use “me neither” for a safe informal response, or select a complete construction such as “Neither do I” for more formal communication.
For website owners and writers, the lesson is to provide accurate, clearly sourced explanations rather than inventing recent usage statistics. Google’s emphasizes accuracy, usefulness, and trustworthy information.
Google for Developers
FAQs
Q1: Is “me either” grammatically correct?
A: “Me either” is used informally by some English speakers to agree with negative statements. However, “me neither” is the more widely accepted standard choice for this purpose. In formal writing, consider “Neither do I” or “I don’t either.”
Q2: Is “me neither” correct English?
A: Yes. “Me neither” is an established informal expression used to agree with a negative statement.
For example:
- “I don’t like horror movies.”
- “Me neither.”
The response means that the second speaker also does not like horror movies.
Q3: Should I say “me either” or “me neither”?
A: In most situations, choose “me neither.” It is a reliable option for everyday conversations and is widely recognized in standard English usage.
For more formal communication, use a complete response such as “Neither do I” when the sentence structure calls for it.
Q4: Can I use “me neither” in formal writing?
A: It is better to avoid “me neither” in formal writing because it is conversational and elliptical. Instead, use a complete sentence.
For example:
- Informal: “I don’t agree with the proposal.” — “Me neither.”
- More formal: “I don’t agree with the proposal either.”
The second option is clearer in professional and academic contexts.
Q5: Is “me neither” the same as “neither do I”?
A: They express a similar meaning, but their grammatical structures differ.
“Me neither” is a shortened conversational response. “Neither do I” is a more complete construction that uses an auxiliary verb before the subject.
For example:
- “I don’t enjoy running.” — “Me neither.”
- “I don’t enjoy running.” — “Neither do I.”
Both responses communicate agreement.
Q6: Can I say “me either” in a text message?
A: Yes, you may encounter “me either” in informal messages, particularly among speakers who use it naturally. However, if you want to follow standard English conventions, “me neither” is the safer option.
For example, if a friend texts, “I don’t feel like cooking tonight,” you can reply, “Me neither.”
Q7: What is the difference between “me too” and “me neither”?
A: “Me too” generally agrees with a positive statement, while “me neither” agrees with a negative statement.
Examples:
- “I love chocolate.” — “Me too.”
- “I don’t like chocolate.” — “Me neither.”
Using the appropriate expression makes your meaning clear and helps your conversation sound natural.
Q8: Is “neither do I” always correct?
A: No. The auxiliary verb must match the original sentence.
For example:
- “I don’t drive.” “Neither do I.”
- “I can’t swim.” “Neither can I.”
- “I haven’t finished.” “Neither have I.”
- “I wasn’t ready.” “Neither was I.”
Matching the auxiliary verb is an important part of using negative agreement correctly.
Conclusion
When deciding between “me either” and “me neither,” “me neither” is the safer and more widely accepted choice for agreeing with a negative statement in informal English. Although “me either” occurs in casual speech, it is less widely recommended in standard English.
Remember these simple rules:
- Use “me neither” to agree with negative statements in everyday conversation.
- Use “neither do I,” “neither can I,” or another appropriate construction when you want a more complete response.
- Use “I don’t either” when it fits the sentence.
- Use “me too” to agree with positive statements.
Understanding these expressions will help you communicate more confidently in conversations, messages, school assignments, and professional writing.
👉 Discover more simple and practical grammar guides on Grammar Clear
Zia Ahmad is the founder of GrammarClear, an educational platform dedicated to making English grammar simple and easy to understand. Through clear explanations and practical examples, he aims to help learners improve their grammar, writing, and communication skills with confidence.
