Me Either or Me Neither — Meaning, Usage, Examples, and Grammar Rules

I still remember arguing with a friend over a simple sentence. She said, “I don’t like horror movies,” and I paused, unsure whether to reply, “Me either or Me neither”?”

I knew what I wanted to say, but that tiny grammar doubt made me hesitate. If you’ve been there too, you’re not alone.

Many people search for me either or me neither because English negative agreement can be tricky.

This article clears all confusion, explains the meaning, grammar, examples, and shows the correct usage so you can reply confidently in both casual and formal conversations.

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Quick Answer

• Me neither ✅ (correct in negative agreement)
• Me either ❌ (informal, nonstandard, mostly casual US English)

Meaning: Both phrases are used to agree with a negative statement:

• Me neither = I also don’t / I also do not
• Me either = informal, casual equivalent (less standard)

Examples:

• “I don’t like coffee.” → Me neither. ✅
• “I can’t swim.” → Me neither. ✅
• “I don’t want to go.” → Me either. ❌ (informal)

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The Origin of Me Either or Me Neither

The phrase me neither comes from English negative agreement patterns, used to respond concisely to negative statements. Over time, people started using me either in casual conversation, especially in American English, but grammatically it is less accepted.

• Neither do I is a more formal alternative, often used in British English or professional writing.
• The confusion arises because either and neither are related words in negative structures:
  • Neither = not one nor the other
  • Either = one of two (sometimes misused in informal responses)

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British English vs American English Usage

Feature	British English	American English
Standard negative agreement	Me neither ✅	Me neither ✅
Informal alternative	Rarely me either ❌	Sometimes me either ✅
Formal alternative	Neither do I ✅	Neither do I ✅
Casual conversation	“Me neither”	“Me neither / Me either” (informal)

Note: In the UK, me neither is correct and standard, while me either is mostly avoided. In the US, me either appears in casual speech but is informal.

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Which Form Should You Use?

• Professional writing / formal conversation: Me neither or Neither do I
• Casual conversation (friends, texting, social media): Me neither is safe; me either is acceptable informally in US English
• Global audiences: Stick to me neither for clarity and correctness

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Common Mistakes with Me Either or Me Neither

• ❌ Using me either in formal writing
• ❌ Confusing neither do I with me neither (structure changes)
• ❌ Saying I neither (incorrect standalone response)
• ❌ Using me either in UK formal contexts

Correct Usage Examples:

• “I don’t like chocolate.” → “Me neither.” ✅
• “I haven’t been to Paris.” → “Me neither.” ✅
• “I can’t swim.” → “Neither can I.” ✅

Incorrect Usage Examples:

• “I don’t like chocolate.” → “Me either.” ❌ (formal context)
• “I can’t drive.” → “I neither.” ❌

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Me Either or Me Neither in Everyday Sentences

Texting / Social Media

• “I’m so tired today.” → “Me neither.”
• “I didn’t watch the match.” → “Me neither.”

Casual Conversation (US informal)

• “I don’t feel like going out.” → “Me either.” ✅ (acceptable informally)
• “I haven’t finished my homework.” → “Me either.” ✅

Formal / Professional

• “I cannot attend the meeting.” → “Me neither.” ✅
• “I don’t agree with that policy.” → “Neither do I.” ✅

Examples Comparing Me Neither vs Me Either

Sentence	Correct Response	Informal US Response
I don’t like pizza.	Me neither ✅	Me either ✅ (informal)
I can’t play tennis.	Me neither ✅	Me either ❌ (UK/Professional)
I haven’t seen the movie.	Me neither ✅	Me either ✅ (casual)

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Grammar Rules: Me Either vs Me Neither

Negative Agreement

• Responds to a negative statement
• Repeats the meaning of the negative without restating the verb

Structure:

• Negative statement → Response
• “I don’t like cats.” → “Me neither.”

Subject-Verb Agreement

• Me neither = “I also do not” (subject implied)
• Neither do I = subject + auxiliary verb

Examples:

• “I haven’t tried sushi.” → “Me neither.”
• “I don’t want dessert.” → “Neither do I.”

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Me Neither or Me Either – Google Trends & Usage Data

• Popularity: Searches show US speakers occasionally type me either when checking correctness.
• Global trend: “Me neither” is dominant worldwide in writing and formal contexts.
• Audience: ESL learners, students, casual conversation learners, professionals double-checking grammar.

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Comparison Table: Me Either vs Me Neither vs Neither do I

Feature	Me neither	Me either	Neither do I
Correctness	✅ Standard	❌ Informal/nonstandard	✅ Formal
Usage	Casual & formal	Informal (US)	Formal/professional
British English	✅	❌	✅
American English	✅	✅ (informal)	✅
Sentence position	Response	Response	Response/standalone

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FAQs

1. What does me either mean?

• Informally, it means I also don’t, but it’s not standard in formal writing.

2. Should I use me neither or me either?

• Always me neither for correctness; me either is casual US speech only.

3. What is the meaning of me neither?

• It agrees with a negative statement: I also don’t.

4. Can I say neither do I instead?

• Yes, especially in formal English. “Neither do I” is grammatically correct in all contexts.

5. How do you use me either or me neither in sentences?

• Respond to negative statements:
  • “I don’t like coffee.” → “Me neither.” ✅
  • “I didn’t watch the show.” → “Me either.” ❌ (informal US)

6. Is me neither used in the UK?

• Yes, it’s standard. Me either is not standard in UK English.

7. Is me either correct in American English?

• In casual spoken English, yes. In writing or formal speech, avoid it.

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Conclusion

If you’ve ever paused, unsure whether to say “me either or me neither,” now you know the difference. Me neither is always correct and safe for formal and informal use.

Me either is an informal US variation, best reserved for casual conversations. For professional writing, consider using neither do I.

Using the correct phrase enhances clarity and ensures your English sounds polished. From texting friends to writing essays, the small difference between me neither and me either can make your language more confident and precise.

Final verdict: Always use me neither in writing and formal situations. Use me either only casually, mainly in American English.

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