English Language & Usage Asked by Suchi on June 9, 2021
In this circumstance, which would be the most correct / natural answer?
Person 1: I don’t eat meat
Person 2: Neither do I / Nor do I / Me neither / Me either
This says both “neither do I” and “Me neither” are often used. But I have also heard / read “me either” and “nor do I” in multiple scenarios. Which then is the correct way of saying it? Are the others wrong or just not used?
It's not a matter of "correct"-ness. It's a matter of social class and personal presentation.
In decreasing order of falutation:
... roughly speaking, of course; I'm no sociolinguist.
This kind of social layering for language variation is completely normal, in every language. To call one mode "correct" would be wrong; appropriateness of speech or writing depends on the speaker/writer's aims, and their judgement of their relationship with their listener/reader (and of course on how accurate their judgement is). What's correct in one situation is often incorrect in another.
Correct answer by John Lawler on June 9, 2021
Neither do I and Me neither are both correct responses to I don't eat meat. So is Nor do I. So is I don't either. But Me either is incorrect. Also note that Me neither is informal (mainly because of the Me part rather than the neither part).
Answered by Armen Ծիրունյան on June 9, 2021
When you have a sentence like "I don't eat meat" the two correct answers are: 1) Neither do I (or) 2) I don't either.
Answered by Ephren Belony on June 9, 2021
To make it plain, Ephren gave a good sum up of the question. However, despite the right observation from Armen concerning the "Me" part in "Me neither", we use in US : Me either ; Me neither ; Nor do I. Neither do I seems more precious. I also hear "Neither I"
An other question would be the reply concerning : "she doesn't like me". "Me neither" could mean that "I also don't like you" like "nor do I" or "Neither do I" But "She doesn't like me, either/neither" would be exact & "me either" is common speaking to understand : she doesn't like (neither) you nor me.
NB : "Me either/neither" are only OK for familiar speech.
Answered by DAVE on June 9, 2021
"neither" and "nor" and "don't either" etc are for use in response to a negative. ("I DON'T eat meat")
"either", unless directly preceded by "don't" or some other negative, refers to alternatives, such as "You either eat meat or you don't."
Strictly speaking "I" is used when the speaker is the subject ( you wouldn't say "me don't eat meat")
"me neither", strictly speaking, is short for "me also don't", which has "me" as the subject. However, hardly anyone says "I neither" and "Me neither" has come to be acceptable. "Nor me" is still less acceptable than "Nor I" in this context.
"Me neither" or "Nor me." would be a response to the speaker being the object, such as when the initial statement has the form "Dogs don't bite me."
"I don't bite dogs." could be answered by "Nor I."
"Dogs don't bite me." could be answered by "Nor me."
In response to "Don't bite me!" Be careful not to say "Gnaw me!"
Answered by John Malcolm on June 9, 2021
"ME EITHER" IS THE ONLY CORRECT VERSION.
"Me neither" contains (Neither) which is the second negative to an already negative statement you are agreeing with, which is impossible under the rules of sound English grammar.
Perhaps this piece of logic will convince the "Me Neither" heretics.
Me too = I (do) too = So do I.
Me EITHER = I (don't) either = Neither do I.
Me Neither = I (don't) neither = grammatical heresy.
(I might be "wrong", of course, as there is a "song" titled : *I wouldn't love me neither). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQ2HIpuS6Y4&ab_channel=VEKProduction
Even if we supposed that Me Neither = I (do) neither. "I do Neither" is grammatically correct, but alas, the meaning has nothing to do with agreeing with a statement: Do you smoke or drink? I do neither...Nothing to do with "Me Neither".
This man does not like cats, and that one...EITHER, and ME EITHER.
THE ONLY CORRECT VERSION IS ME EITHER.
Answered by Rista on June 9, 2021
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