Conversational Language: Conversational Language (#17)

Dennis Oliver

Conversational Language (#17):
Short Expressions of Agreement (#3)

In conversational American English, short expressions
of agreement are commonly used when one person has
the same idea as another. These short expressions have
several different forms. We have seen that too and so
are used for two positive ( + ) statements and that either
and neither are used for two negative ( - ) statements:

A: I'm tired.

A: I feel tired.

A: I was absent.

A: I've missed work
several times.

(etc.)

B: Me, too. / So am I.
(Be is also tired.)

B: Me, too. / So am I.

B: Me, too. / So was I.

B: Me, too. / So have I.

(etc.)

A: I'm not hungry.

A: I don't want
anything to eat.

A: I didn't eat much
for lunch.

A: I haven't been
very hungry recently.

(etc.)

B: Me, either. / Neither am I.
(Be is also not hungry.)

B: Me, either. /
Neither do I.

B: Me, either. /
Neither did I.

B: Me, either. /
Neither have I.

(etc.)

When two thoughts are not the same, too / so / either / neither
cannot be used. But is used intstead:

A says:		B thinks the opposite and then says:
I'm hungry. I'm not hungry.		But I'm not. But I am.

I'm not feeling well. I'm feeling wonderful!		But I am. But I'm not.

I slept really well last night. I didn't sleep well last night.		But I didn't. But I did..

I haven't seen this movie. I've seen this movie before.		But I have. But I haven't.

I'd rather watch TV. I'd rather not watch TV. (etc.)		But I wouldn't. But I would. (etc.)

Conversational Language: Conversational Language (#17)

SPONSORED LINKS