Many English learners get confused about “me either” and “me neither.” At first, both expressions seem to mean the same thing. You may hear native speakers use both in conversations, movies, social media posts, and everyday speech.
Because both phrases are used to agree with a negative statement, it can be difficult to know which one is correct and when to use it.
The good news is that the difference is very simple. Once you understand how they work, you will be able to use them naturally in conversations and writing.
Quick Answer
| Expression | Meaning | Example |
| Me neither | Standard and grammatically correct way to agree with a negative statement | “I don’t like coffee.” — “Me neither.” |
| Me either | Common in spoken English, especially in casual conversations | “I don’t like coffee.” — “Me either.” |
| Formal English | Use me neither | Writing, school work, professional communication |
| Informal English | Both are often heard | Friendly conversations |
Key Points
- Both expressions show agreement with a negative statement.
- Me neither is traditionally considered more correct.
- Me either is very common in everyday speech.
- In formal situations, me neither is usually the safer choice.
Simple Background
Where Does “Neither” Come From?
The word neither has been used in English for hundreds of years. It means:
- Not one
- Not the other
- Also not
Because it already has a negative meaning, it naturally fits after negative statements.
What About “Either”?
The word either is usually used in negative sentences.
Examples:
| Sentence | Meaning |
| I don’t like tea either. | Tea is also something I don’t like. |
| She doesn’t watch TV either. | TV is also something she doesn’t watch. |
| We can’t go either. | We also cannot go. |
Over time, people started using “me either” as a short reply in conversations. That is why it became common in spoken English.
Understanding the Difference
What Does “Me Neither” Mean?
Me neither means:
“I do not feel the same thing either.”
It agrees with a negative statement.
Examples
| Person A | Person B |
| I don’t like spicy food. | Me neither. |
| I can’t swim. | Me neither. |
| I haven’t seen that movie. | Me neither. |
| I don’t understand this lesson. | Me neither. |
In all these examples, Person B is agreeing with a negative statement.
What Does “Me Either” Mean?
Me either is used in exactly the same situations in everyday speech.
Examples
| Person A | Person B |
| I don’t like spicy food. | Me either. |
| I can’t swim. | Me either. |
| I haven’t seen that movie. | Me either. |
| I don’t understand this lesson. | Me either. |
Many native speakers say this naturally during conversations.
Why Do Some Teachers Prefer “Me Neither”?
Traditional grammar rules favor me neither because the word neither already carries a negative meaning.
Example
| Statement | Traditional Reply |
| I don’t like pizza. | Me neither. |
| I can’t drive. | Me neither. |
| I don’t know him. | Me neither. |
Because of this, many grammar books teach me neither as the standard form.
Me Either vs Me Neither Comparison Table
| Feature | Me Neither | Me Either |
| Meaning | I don’t either | I don’t either |
| Shows agreement with a negative statement | Yes | Yes |
| Grammatically traditional | Yes | No |
| Common in conversation | Yes | Yes |
| Common in writing | Yes | Less common |
| Formal situations | Better choice | Usually avoided |
| Informal situations | Works well | Works well |
| Used by native speakers | Very often | Very often |
| Accepted in modern speech | Yes | Yes |
| Best choice for students | Yes | Sometimes |
Which One Should You Use?
Use “Me Neither” When:
| Situation | Recommended? |
| School assignments | Yes |
| Exams | Yes |
| Business emails | Yes |
| Formal writing | Yes |
| Academic work | Yes |
| Professional communication | Yes |
Example
Person A: I don’t know the answer.
Person B: Me neither.
Use “Me Either” When:
| Situation | Recommended? |
| Chatting with friends | Yes |
| Text messages | Yes |
| Social media comments | Yes |
| Casual conversations | Yes |
| Informal speech | Yes |
Example
Person A: I don’t watch that show.
Person B: Me either.
Common Mistakes People Make
Mistake 1: Using Them After Positive Statements
Incorrect
| Sentence | Correct? |
| I like pizza. — Me neither. | ❌ |
| I enjoy swimming. — Me either. | ❌ |
Correct
| Sentence | Correct Reply |
| I like pizza. | Me too. |
| I enjoy swimming. | Me too. |
Mistake 2: Mixing Positive and Negative Agreement
| Statement | Wrong Reply | Correct Reply |
| I don’t like tea. | Me too. | Me neither. |
| I don’t watch TV. | Me too. | Me neither. |
| I love music. | Me neither. | Me too. |
Mistake 3: Using “Either” in Formal Writing
| Situation | Better Choice |
| School essay | Me neither |
| Exam answer | Me neither |
| Office email | Me neither |
| Academic paper | Me neither |
Everyday Real-Life Examples
In Daily Conversations
| Person A | Person B |
| I don’t eat seafood. | Me neither. |
| I can’t drive yet. | Me either. |
| I don’t enjoy horror movies. | Me neither. |
| I haven’t finished my homework. | Me either. |
In Emails
Example
Email Sender:
I haven’t received the file yet.
Reply:
Me neither.
On Social Media
| Post | Comment |
| I don’t understand this trend. | Me neither. |
| I haven’t watched the new episode. | Me either. |
| I can’t believe it’s Monday already. | Me neither. |
In News Discussions
| Statement | Response |
| I don’t think prices will fall soon. | Me neither. |
| I haven’t heard that news. | Me either. |
| I don’t agree with that opinion. | Me neither. |
Learning Section for Students and Beginners
Easy Rule to Remember
| Statement Type | Response |
| Positive statement | Me too |
| Negative statement | Me neither |
| Casual negative conversation | Me either |
Examples
| Statement | Reply |
| I like football. | Me too. |
| I don’t like football. | Me neither. |
| I enjoy reading. | Me too. |
| I don’t enjoy reading. | Me neither. |
Quick Memory Trick
Think Like This:
| Sentence | Reply |
| Positive = Yes, me too | ✔ |
| Negative = Not me either/neither | ✔ |
If you are unsure, choose me neither because it works in almost every situation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Is “me either” wrong?
Not exactly. It is very common in spoken English. However, many teachers and grammar guides prefer me neither.
2. Is “me neither” more correct?
Yes. Traditional grammar rules consider me neither the standard form.
3. Can native speakers say “me either”?
Yes. Many native English speakers use it every day in casual conversations.
4. Which one should students use in exams?
Students should generally use me neither because it is the safer and more formal choice.
5. Can I use “me neither” in formal writing?
Yes. It is accepted in formal writing and professional communication.
6. What do I use after a positive statement?
Use me too.
Example
Person A: I love ice cream.
Person B: Me too.
7. Do “me either” and “me neither” have the same meaning?
Yes. In everyday conversation, both usually mean:
“I don’t either.”
8. Which expression is best for beginners?
Me neither is usually the best choice because it follows traditional grammar rules and works in both speaking and writing.
Conclusion
The difference between me either and me neither is smaller than many learners think. Both expressions are commonly used to agree with a negative statement, and both are understood by native speakers.
However, me neither is the more traditional and grammatically accepted form. It is the best option for school work, exams, formal writing, and professional communication.
Me either is common in everyday speech, text messages, and casual conversations. You will hear it often from native speakers.
The easiest rule to remember is:
| If Someone Says… | Your Reply |
| Positive statement | Me too |
| Negative statement | Me neither |
| Casual negative conversation | Me either or Me neither |
When in doubt, choose me neither. It is clear, correct, and appropriate in almost every situation.
Roazi is a visionary thinker driven by creativity, innovation, and purpose. With a passion for excellence, he transforms bold ideas into meaningful realities.
