Cohesion

So, neither, nor

You can use short sentences that start with so or neither or nor to say that you agree or coincide with what another person says.

The structure of these sentences is so, neither or nor + auxiliary verb + subject.

• So am I.
• So do I.

The auxiliary verb is repeated from the first speaker's sentence, or if there is no auxiliary verb, you use the auxiliary do or did.

• A: I'm from Edinburgh.
• B: So am I. (= You are from Edinburgh, and I am from Edinburgh too.)

• A: Jim can swim.
• B: So can I. (= Jim can swim, and I can swim too.)

• A: Sharon likes jazz.
• B: So does James. (= Sharon likes jazz, and James likes jazz too.)

• A: Bill went to Paris last month.
• B: So did Mary. (= Bill went to Paris, and Mary went to Paris too.)

If you agree or coincide with a positive sentence, you use so + auxiliary verb + subject.

• A: I think Elvis is dead.
• B: So do I.

If you agree or coincide with a negative sentence, you use neither or nor + auxiliary verb + subject.

• A: I can't understand this.
• B: Neither can I. (Nor can I.)

• A: I don't like Walter.
• B: Neither do I. (Nor do I.)

• A: I'm not hungry.
• B: Neither am I. (Nor am I.)