Many English learners feel confused about the phrases “me either” and “me neither.” At first glance, both expressions seem very similar. In everyday conversations, people often use them to agree with someone’s negative statement. Because they sound alike and appear in similar situations, it is easy to mix them up.
That is why many people search online for “me either or me neither.” They want to know which phrase is grammatically correct and when it should be used. Some teachers say one is correct while the other is not, which makes the confusion even greater for beginners.
Understanding the difference between me either and me neither is important if you want to speak and write English clearly. In this guide, you will learn the meaning of both phrases, how they are used, common mistakes to avoid, and easy tips to remember the correct form.
Quick Answer
The correct and grammatically standard phrase is “me neither.” It is used to agree with a negative statement made by someone else.
“Me either” is commonly used in informal spoken English, especially in American English, but it is considered less formal and sometimes grammatically incorrect in strict grammar rules.
Example:
- “I don’t like coffee.”
- “Me neither.” ✅
Meaning and Definition of Each Phrase
Me Either
Definition:
“Me either” is an informal phrase used in conversation to show agreement with a negative statement.
Although many native speakers use it casually, traditional grammar rules prefer “me neither.”
Explanation:
The word either is normally used in negative sentences, usually at the end of the sentence.
Example sentences:
- “I don’t understand this question.”
“Me either.” - “I can’t swim.”
“Me either.”
In casual speech, these sentences are very common, but in formal English they may be replaced with “me neither.”
Me Neither
Definition:
“Me neither” is the grammatically correct phrase used to agree with a negative statement.
Explanation:
The word neither means “not one and not the other.” When someone says something negative, you can use me neither to say the same is true for you.
Example sentences:
- “I don’t like spicy food.”
“Me neither.” - “I haven’t seen that movie.”
“Me neither.”
This phrase is widely accepted in both spoken and written English.
Key Differences Between the Words
Here are the main differences between me either and me neither:
- Grammar correctness
- Me neither is grammatically standard.
- Me either is informal and sometimes considered incorrect.
- Me neither is grammatically standard.
- Formality
- Me neither works in both formal and informal contexts.
- Me either is mainly used in casual conversation.
- Me neither works in both formal and informal contexts.
- Usage in writing
- Me neither is preferred in writing.
- Me either is rarely used in formal writing.
- Me neither is preferred in writing.
- Popularity in speech
- Both are commonly used in spoken English.
- Native speakers often use me either casually.
- Both are commonly used in spoken English.
Comparison Table
| Phrase | Meaning | Usage | Example |
| Me either | Informal agreement with a negative statement | Mostly spoken English | “I don’t like onions.” — “Me either.” |
| Me neither | Correct way to agree with a negative statement | Spoken and written English | “I can’t drive.” — “Me neither.” |
Examples in Sentences
Here are several real-life examples to show how these phrases work.
Examples with “Me Neither”
- “I don’t understand this math problem.”
“Me neither.” - “I haven’t finished my homework.”
“Me neither.” - “I don’t like waking up early.”
“Me neither.” - “I didn’t watch the game yesterday.”
“Me neither.” - “I can’t speak French.”
“Me neither.”
Examples with “Me Either”
- “I don’t want pizza tonight.”
“Me either.” - “I didn’t see the email.”
“Me either.” - “I don’t know the answer.”
“Me either.” - “I can’t remember his name.”
“Me either.”
Again, remember that “me either” is informal, while “me neither” is grammatically preferred.
Common Mistakes
Many learners make mistakes when using me either or me neither. Here are some of the most common ones.
1. Using “Me Either” in Formal Writing
❌ Incorrect:
“I don’t like that idea.”
“Me either.”
✅ Correct:
“I don’t like that idea.”
“Me neither.”
2. Using Them After Positive Statements
Both phrases are used only with negative statements.
❌ Incorrect:
“I like chocolate.”
“Me neither.”
✅ Correct:
“I like chocolate.”
“Me too.”
3. Confusing Either and Neither
Learners sometimes mix up the meaning of these words.
- Either usually appears in negative sentences.
- Neither already contains a negative meaning.
Example:
Correct sentence:
“I don’t like tea either.”
Tips to Remember the Difference
Here are a few easy tricks to remember the difference between me either and me neither.
Tip 1: Remember “Neither = Negative”
The word neither already means not one and not the other. That is why it fits naturally with negative statements.
Example:
“I don’t like broccoli.”
“Me neither.”
Tip 2: Use “Me Neither” in Writing
If you are unsure which phrase to choose, use “me neither.” It is always safe and grammatically correct.
Tip 3: Think of the Full Sentence
“Me neither” is actually a short version of a longer sentence:
Full sentence:
“Neither do I.”
Example:
“I don’t like cold weather.”
“Neither do I.”
“Me neither.”
When to Use Each Phrase
When to Use “Me Neither”
Use me neither when:
- Someone makes a negative statement.
- You want to say the same is true for you.
- You are writing formally or speaking politely.
Examples:
- “I don’t drink coffee.”
“Me neither.” - “I didn’t understand the lecture.”
“Me neither.”
When to Use “Me Either”
Use me either only in informal conversations.
Examples:
- Talking with friends
- Casual chats
- Informal spoken English
Example:
“I don’t like horror movies.”
“Me either.”
However, for grammar accuracy, me neither is still the better choice.
Grammar Rules Related to These Phrases
To understand me either or me neither, it helps to know a few simple grammar rules.
Rule 1: Used After Negative Statements
Both phrases respond to negative sentences.
Example:
“I don’t like sushi.”
“Me neither.”
Rule 2: Short Response Structure
These phrases are short responses that replace a longer sentence.
Example:
Long sentence:
“I don’t like sushi, and I don’t like it either.”
Short response:
“Me neither.”
Rule 3: Alternative Structures
You can also use these structures:
- Neither do I
- Nor do I
Example:
“I don’t like loud music.”
“Neither do I.”
Synonyms or Related Expressions
Several other expressions can be used instead of me neither.
Examples include:
- Neither do I
- Nor do I
- I don’t either
- Same here (informal)
Examples in sentences:
“I don’t like crowded places.”
“Neither do I.”
“I can’t run very fast.”
“I can’t either.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is “me either” grammatically correct?
“Me either” is widely used in casual speech, but traditional grammar considers “me neither” the correct form.
2. When should I use “me neither”?
Use me neither when agreeing with a negative statement.
Example:
“I don’t like spinach.”
“Me neither.”
3. Can “me either” replace “me neither”?
In informal conversation, yes. However, in formal writing or careful grammar, me neither is preferred.
4. What should I say after a positive statement?
After a positive statement, you should say “me too.”
Example:
“I love chocolate.”
“Me too.”
5. What is the full form of “me neither”?
The full grammatical sentence is:
“Neither do I.”
6. Are “neither do I” and “me neither” the same?
Yes. Both express agreement with a negative statement.
Example:
“I don’t like onions.”
“Neither do I.”
“Me neither.”
Conclusion
The confusion between me either or me neither is very common among English learners. Both phrases appear in everyday conversations and are used to agree with negative statements.
However, the grammatically correct and widely accepted phrase is “me neither.” It works well in both speaking and writing. The phrase “me either” is often heard in informal conversations but may not be appropriate in formal English.
If you want to avoid mistakes, remember this simple rule: use “me neither” when agreeing with a negative sentence. With practice, this difference will become easy to remember and use in daily communication.
